Update: Bottom weight can come out on top in Haydock feature – Saturday’s tip
Ascot’s fallen victim to the weather but up at Haydock the weather’s been kinder (so far), and 15 are due to go to post for the feature Tommy Whittle Chase at 2.20pm.
At a very fair 12/1 each way the one that really appeals to me is bottom weight Malko De Beaumont, a quirky character from an unfashionable yard.
What is there to recommend him? Well three miles in soft ground certainly seems to bring out the best in him, he’s got literally no weight on his back, and more importantly this is the very race he won off a 2lb higher mark a year ago.
Expect similar tactics this time around as new pilot James Halliday holds him up in the early stages, content to sit and creep nito contention in the latter part of the race.
Also of interest is the fact the blinkers are back on tomorrow: the first time connections reached for the blinds he won at Haydock in December 2007, and since they’ve been overlooked ever since in favour of cheekpieces/nothing perhaps they can prove decisive.
2.20 Haydock (Saturday) – Blue Square I-Card Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase – 15 Malko De Beaumont (each way) @ 12/1 (Stan James or Ladbrokes)
The weekend’s big betting race has got the makings of a cracker with a cluster of progressive, exciting young horses all threatening to put their stamp on Ascot’s Ladbroke Hurdle (2.40pm).
There’s a stack of options with Pepe Simo representing Saturday tv specialist Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh as he bids for a fourth win on the bounce, while attempting to defy top weight off a mark of 140, French import Stravinsky Dance could be anything but the gallops reports are glowing on his first start in this country for the red hot Nicky Henderson stable, the same outfit also prepare to unleash a horse who fairly bolted up in the Gerry Feilden in the shape of Fairyland, Jonjo O’Neill and AP McCoy team up with the as yet unbeaten Get Me Out Of Here, and living legend Barney Curley has surely still to get to the bottom of Zabeel Palace.
In short, it’s got the makings of a fantastic race, but is there one in there to beat that lot? I sincerely hope so, since my cash will be carried by Gary Moore’s fast improving Harry Tricker, a smart five year old Hernando gelding who loves the rough and tumble of these big field handicaps and has looked the absolute business since the cheekpieces went on two runs ago.
Moore prepared him for a tilt at Cheltenham’s Greatwood Hurdle by winning a very competitive heat at Sandown Park at the beginning of November (first run in the aforementioned cheekpieces), when he ran on well to beat the re-opposing Zabeel Palace by just under three lengths in taking fashion.
What’s so exciting about winning a 0-125 handicap off a mark of 121 you might ask?
First up Zabeel Palace rubber stamped the strength of that form by coming out and winning over two miles in a decent race at Ascot next time up, but more excitingly under a penalty Harry Tricker then lined up in the Greatwood and went down all guns blazing to Khyber Kim on his next start, form that gives him a monster chance here in light of what happened at Cheltenham last weekend.
Khyber Kim gave that form a very strong complexion by taking the Boylesports International last Saturday, beating Celestial Halo and Medermit to further strengthen the form (Medermit was a length behind Harry Tricker in the Greatwood), and earning a quote as short as 8/1 for the Champion Hurdle.
All things considered Harry Tricker has to hold a huge chance here. His trainer knows exactly how to win these ultra competitive races, his jockey takes a handy 3lbs off, he won’t mind the ground and is 4lbs well in on official figures. Take some 13/2 with Sportingbet.
Racing in slightly less captivating surroundings they go on the all weather at Southwell on Friday, and don’t be too surprised if Stef Liddiard has found an opportunity for top weight My Lady Georgia to bounce back to form in the concluding 0-65 handicap at 3.15pm.
A winner at the Nottinghamshire track three times in 2009 My Lady Georgia is sure to appreciate the step back up in trip to a mile in what looks a really weak race.
Liddiard has her string in good form (2 winners, a second and a third from her last five runners), and can keep the good run going here. Back her Royal Applause filly each way.
On the subject of Lady Georgia regular readers will be fascinated by yet more revealing insight into the life and times of my old mate Lord Culcheth, who’s on red alert at this time of year with a potential cougar overload due to christmas shopping and office parties.
Anyway, he once had a girlfriend called Georgia who lived in the stunning coastal resort of Rhyl.
He firmly believed she was the one for him, even went and bought a wedding ring, before for reasons we’ve yet to unravel she fled to Canada.
Perhaps we can get the Bulldog editor of this column to agree to a guest column on Betting Directory from the good Lord Culcheth in 2010?
It could only make for great entertainment given that some of his more rational behaviour over the past 12 months has seen him tuck a copy of an Andalucian guide into his coat pocket and head for Marbella to stalk a cougar from the safety of a flower bed outside her villa. It gets worse but there’s only limited space and we’re meant to be discussing horse racing.
We should also throw a football bet into the mix on the last weekend before Christmas, so have few quid on the double as Rochdale host Shrewsbury in League Two and Newcastle face Middlesbrough in the Tyne Tees derby on Sunday lunchtime.
It comes out a fraction bigger than 2/1 with Paddy Power, and ought to pay for a mince pie, some chocolate mousse (i’m a lover of mousse), and a mulled wine or two.
Boro are shambolic and won’t be looking forward to facing a Newcastle side who have adapted quickly to life outside the top flight and are making hay at a lower level, while ‘Dale are on a great run and should have too much for the Shrews.
It seems a long time since the likes of Fabrizio Ravanelli and Juninho were lighting up Teesside. That said, Derek Thompson is a Middlesbrough fan so you can’t have too much sympathy for them!
Good luck, and a very Happy Christmas!
This weekend’s tips:
3.15 Southwell (Friday) – Hospitality At Southwell Racecourse Handicap – 1 My Sweet Georgia (each way)
2.40 Ascot (Saturday) – The Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle – 12 Harry Tricker (win) @ 13/2 (Sportingbet)
Weekend football coupon – Rochdale & Newcastle both to win – double pays just over 2/1 (Paddy Power)
Tags: 18th december, 19th december, Ascot, bet, double, friday, gary moore, harry tricker, ladbrokes hurdle, my lady georgia, saturday, southwell
