Andy has four bets from today's Jumps action at Hereford and Market Rasen.
2.50 Market Rasen
In what looks to be a decent race on paper, both BASTIEN (best price 3-1) and COOLE CODY (best price 9-1) can advertise their claims for the final of the series at Sandown in a month’s time. The former, clearly improving at a rate of knots, followed up his previous victory with a display of grit and determination at Plumpton last time out and with stamina looking to be the strongest part of Alan King’s charge’s game, a likely sound pace at today’s trip should play into his strengths. The latter, although beaten when well-fancied at Exeter last time, he might just have been unlucky to bump into a horse of Over To Sam’s potential and that’s not the first time Michael Blake’s charge has had to play second fiddle to a smart Harry Fry-trained novice. Prior to that, the Dubai Destination gelding had been the only one to offer any resistance to subsequent Grade 2 scorer, Neon Wolf, at the same track and with both his last two speed figures suggesting he can maintain a solid gallop from the front, odds of 8-1 look way too big to resist just in case he slips the field.
3.15 Hereford
Gayebury clearly sets a very high standard on his second to Willoughby Court in Grade 2 company at Warwick last time out, but as he makes little appeal to many at big odds on, the safest option is the play in the without the favourite market and have a crack at WESTERN CLIMATE (best price 10-3). A dual point-to-point winner, Tom Weston’s charge has run with plenty of credit on both his starts under rules and even though he was beaten a fair way in third here last time out, he was up against subsequent Grade 1 scorer, Finian’s Oscar. Returning to the scene of that useful performance with two furlongs less to cover, the son of Westerner looks nailed on to run a big race.
3.25 Market Rasen
It’s been a long time between drinks for MWALESHI (best price 7-1), but that frustrating run of results could well be close to ending based on his last two performances and he rates the value call in what looks a competitive handicap. Third to Kauto Riko here on Boxing Day, Sue Smith’s charge once again ran to a fair standard when just nabbed in the dying strides by the in-form Wicked Willy over 2m 7f last time and with most of his best form having derived from today’s trip, he looks primed to go well at a track that seems to suit his run style.
