Two Favourites that Offer Value on Thursday…
24 hours to the Oaks at Epsom
Not a great day, certainly when looking ahead to Friday and Saturday at Epsom which kicks off a really exciting weekend of racing and two classics. Although there is plenty of racing on offer with flat jumps and all-weather action today, it looks pretty run of the mill. We have lost Wetherby which has been called off because of firm ground and a broken irrigation system. The course has not had a good few years and looks to be suffering in a way that is damaging the once good reputation that the West Yorkshire course had.
On the Flat…
Our first stop is Lingfield for a decent bet in the opener on Ravi River (2.20) who makes his debut in selling company for Jim Boyle, whom he rejoins from the Tom Dascombe yard. The five year-old gelding has an official handicap mark of 80, which gives him plenty, a minimum of 10 pounds, in hand against this weak looking field on a surface he seems to love. It may appear a strange decision to run such a highly rated horse in a seller but these connections are not afraid to do so in search of a winner. I remember hoping one of theirs would get beaten once so I could claim it, it won and went on to win more races. No worries that this is a seller today!
I have priced up Ravi River at a shorter price than the 2.3 he is on Betfair this morning. I suggest you back him now…
Having won a handicap off 75 3 runs ago he should be too good for this lot. It looks like Jim Boyle is looking to get a confidence boosting win under his belt at the basement grade for owners who have plenty of horses in the stable. They have done it before and he looks a good thing to me!
Over Jumps…
Any Given Day (5.50) at Uttoxeter looks a very good bet at the prices and looks one to follow following an impressive debut win over hurdles at Kelso a couple of weeks ago. The gelding looks a decent recruit from the flat (Simcock trained) and will relish the fast going on which he has winning form on the flat. The change of codes and a move to the Donald McCain yard looks to have done the trick and he could prove to be much better than these opponents today. Although favourite in the betting, I would suggest that the current price offers value given the expected improvement from that first orun. I expect Any Given Day to win easily and I would urge you to take an early price!
Thursdays Bets
2.20 Lingfield – Ravi River – win
5.50 Uttoxeter- Any Given Day – win
