Friday, 4th March 2022
It’s Friday – that time of the week when I put on my tin hat, stick my head above the parapet, and do my level best to dig out genuine dark horses in the top-level handicaps….
…. ‘live’ contenders that are overlooked or underestimated in the betting….
…. contrarian selections that go against consensus market opinion….
…. or – in other words – the right kind of horses trading at the wrong prices….
The Greatwood Gold Cup field at Newbury (1.50) has broken down to just 10-runners….
It’s a little disappointing but we must work with what we’re given and the one I’d be backing at the prices is FARINET at the 7s….
He’ll be having just his 6th go on a British track for trainer Venetia Williams and from the word go he’s looked like a horse capable of landing a big handicap prize for connections….
First time up in Britain he was 3rd to Galahad Quest at Haydock. At the second time of asking he won a decent Listed-class novice handicap chase at Sandown in taking fashion….
That took him from 125 to 133 in the official ratings and first-time up this term he was stepped up in class and sent to Cheltenham for the Racing Post Gold Cup….
He ended-up losing a shoe and pulling-up. The ground might not have been soft enough for him that afternoon….
He won a C3 handicap at Sandown next time. Then back at Sandown last month and tried over 3-miles for the first time he didn’t seem to get home having been sent off favourite….
Back at tomorrow’s trip and with the ground promising sufficient cut for the 7yo – he’s worth backing to progress further from his current mark of 137….
Each-way backers take note: William Hill, Sky Bet & Betfred are all 1/5 the first 4. It’s 1/5 the first 3 generally….
It’s a similar story at Doncaster where just 8-runners go to post for the Grimthorpe Chase (3.30)….
The one I like at the prices is the Sam Thomas trained POWERSTOWN PARK at the general 8s….
For sure he’s taking a step-up in class tomorrow but going up to the 3-mile trip ahead of Christmas produced a career top and prompted Thomas to send the horse out over even further next time out….
Perhaps the extended 3m3f trip at Market Rasen in Lincolnshire National – encountered on soft ground – proved a bridge too far. Powerstown Park travelled well for a long way before giving out….
Next time at Hereford – back over 3m1f and despite blundering 2 fences from home – he registered the second win of his 6-chase career in a C3 handicap….
He was put up 6lbs for that win – from 124 to 130 – but it’s not difficult to see him rating higher still as he’s still very much unexposed at the 3-mile trip….
Our Power ran a fine race for Sam Thomas – and for me – in last week’s Coral Trophy at Kempton. He was taking a big step forward and I think this one can handle things similarly tomorrow….
Each-way backers take note: It is 1/5 the first 3 generally….
Nick’s Dark Horses….To recap on my idea of the dark horses capable of running big races at tasty prices in the big handicaps tomorrow afternoon…. In the Greatwood Gold Cup (1.50 @ Newbury)….
In the Grimthorpe Chase (3.30 @ Doncaster)….
Advised prices are correct at the time my column is submitted for publication. But prices are subject to fluctuation. There’s nothing I can do about that. Be sure to consult Oddschecker – you may find a quote better than advised…. |
That’s all for today. Back next time. Meanwhile….
Anything to report? Anything to say? Anything to share? Contact me at: nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk
Stay tuned.
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