Best bet for the horse racing Friday 1st December 2017
They go at
Newbury on Friday and some big names are out but it is a day for watching rather
than punting there for me; I am though having a bet elsewhere.
The Grade Two Ladbrokes Novices' Chase at 1.50 looks to be between Yanworth and Willoughby Court with the J p McManus owned chestnut the odds-on jolly at 4-5. the seven-year-old was superior to these over the sticks but he tipped up last time at Exeter on his second start over the bigger obstacles and I am not prepared to take a punt at odds-on until I am convinced his jumping has improved.
Wholestone will take on Thistlecrack and Unowhatimeanharry in the Grade Two Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle at 3.00. The six-year-old was runner-up on his last start at Wetherby and adds a little depth to the heat. Of the big two Colin Tizzard's star chaser Thistlecrack, who claimed this prize in 2015, is well treated by the conditions of the race on his first start over hurdles since the spring of last year. The 2016 World Hurdle winner would be expected to win in a canter if ully fir but he has been off for 307 days. Last years winner the Harry Fry-trained Unowhatimeanharry returns to defend his crown after making a successful start to his campaign at Aintree earlier this month but has to give his rival 6lb. An old friend of Triple G Taquin De Seuil lines-up and may give the principles something to think about at a tasty 20-1. It was on my mind to back him but I would have preferred more rain as he has good form on heavy
The bet I am having is much closer to home and Triple G Towers at Chelmsford City on the Polytrack. At 6.45 a selection of 2yo fillies’ line-up for the Bet totequadpot At betfred.com Fillies' Novice Stakes and I like one in this. Azpeitia (4th) and Any Little Rhyme (5th) both went well on debut in the same Doncaster maiden; Lady Willpower was second but is winless after six attempts and both are expected to improve passed her here. The Ralph Beckett chestnut filly caught my eye slightly more then the filly owned by the Queen. Cut up and knocked a bit from the stalls she got shuffled to the back and then fought for her head in the early stages before settling. When a gap came late in the race she went through well, any chance of winning had gone, and ran into fourth without being asked a really serious question. With the experience under her belt at 4-1 overnight bpg I can see her improving leaps and bounds and wining this all being well paying for a cheeky half a pint on Friday evening.
Be lucky