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Jacobs' Best Bets
By Paul Jacobs
Last updated: 16:56 Friday, November 21, 2008
Paul's Best Bets
A brilliant weekend of racing throughout the land and it would be easy to get carried away with having a wager on most of the big races at Ascot, Lingfield, Haydock and Aintree.
For me, the most interesting race of the whole weekend is the Betfair Fixed Brush Handicap Hurdle due off at 1.05 on Saturday at Haydock Park.
The make up of this year’s contest looks very interesting with most of the runners relatively exposed and open to little improvement.
One horse that remains progressive and could make a bold leap on from his 2007/8 form has to be GUNNER JACK.
Nicky Richards’ charge won two of his five starts last year, but his season ended in anti-climax when he was most disappointing in the Pertemps Hurdle Final at Cheltenham.
His return at Sedgefield though suggested he retains all his ability when he looked the likely winner two out before blundering his chance away. Further rain would aid his chance because as he stays all day and would certainly compromise the claims of many of his rivals including the favourite, Ungaro, Copsale Lad and Kirbyroguelantern.
The biggest danger could be the Philip Hobbs trained Bluegun, lightly raced and with a fair level of form to his name over two and a half miles, and he could certainly be worth a saver on his first attempt at this trip.
Also at the Lancashire track, I like the look of FONT in the opening novice hurdle at 12.30.
He lost all chance of doubling up on his Cheltenham win at Ascot when making a terrible mistake at the fifth flight and down in grade and with more left in the locker I expect him to sort out Doeslessthanme and anything odds against would be a gimme as far as I am concerned.
Later on, It’s hard to see KAUTO STAR ‘losing’ the Betfair Chase and only a bad mistake will see him deprived of this major prize again at the main expense of old foe Exotic Dancer.
The three mile chase at 2.45 looks very interesting although I cannot hide my disappointment that Glasker Mill runs here in preference to that Hennessy there could still be a value call here.
As far as I am concerned I can see this being a real slog and expect GOLD MEDALIST to run a huge race at a big price.
At Ascot, I shall only be having the single wager on LESLINGTAYLOR in the handicap chase at 1.20.
A good run at Market Rasen was followed by a moderate on here, but the ground may have been to soft on that occasion and I expect him to make the most of the weight he receives from Andreas; another good ground merchant.
At Lingfield, the 7f class 2 event due off at 2.10, won last year by CAPRICORN RUN off a mark of 100 could be set for a repeat.
The last time this six-year-old had his ideal conditions came in this race last year when he wiped the floor with Fajr and company.
Now 10lbs better off with that rival for beating him by half a length, now could be the time to strike again with Alan McCabe’s charge.
His three length sixth of 27 behind Big Timer in the Wokingham Handicap off a mark of 105 was a huge effort as he was badly drawn and had trouble in running to boot as was his ninth behind Little White Lie in the Bunbury. Both those performances suggest he retains all of his considerable ability.
Now 8lbs lower in the weights and running over his optimum C&D the only drawback to a return to his best is a 10 box draw, but he has so much natural speed and stays so well that I think he can defy that stall off this kind of very attractive mark.
Of his rivals, I have most regard for Markab, a good winner last time out and still reasonably weighted on his best form and nicely housed in stall one.
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