Steve Ryder picked out a 3/1 winner and an 11/2 place in yesterday's column, find his three best bets for Thursday here.
1:40 Taunton
Tip 1: Leader Crick - 1pt
This looks a much weaker race than LEADER CRICK (best priced at 11/4) was pitched into on his hurdling debut and he can get off the mark in this contest. The five-year-old was bought for £160,000 following a neck 2nd in a PTP when he was only beaten by the now 114 rated hurdler Daylatedollarshort.
Leader Crick was only sent off 10/1 for a Class 2 Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in October where all of the other six runners were rated 123 or higher. He was given a wind operation following that run and he looks the one to beat if stepping forward from his run 111 days ago.
LEADER CRICK - 1pt Win @ 11/4
3:50 Leicester
Tip 2: No Tackle - 1pt
The fact that Rosscahill was declared for the North Wales National over 3m5½f on Friday in first time cheekpieces before the meeting raises question marks about his claims in this 2m4f race without any headgear. Preference instead goes to NO TACKLE (best priced at 9/4) who has form figures of 1312 at this track in his career including when a clear 2nd last time behind the resurgent Jipcot.
No Tackle has won previously in his career on heavy ground so the conditions shouldn’t be an inconvenience to him and he should get back to winning ways.
NO TACKLE - 1pt Win @ 9/4
Vickers
6:30 Chelmsford
Tip 3: Carlton - 1pt
The James Owen trained CARLTON (best priced at 11/4) has won 6 of his 8 starts at this track and was only beaten a short head over a shorter distance last time. The six-year-old has previously won over 1m6f and 2 miles at this track and he was only narrowly beaten over 1m5½f last time off a mark of 75.
The handicapper has raised Carlton 3lbs up to a mark of 78 which is fair and he is the solid option against the topweight Tryfan who could only finish 9th in a higher grade last time.
CARLTON - 1pt Win @ 11/4
