Fergal O’Brien is enjoying his best training season in terms of numbers, with 114 winners on the board already. The yard came agonisingly close to gaining a first Cheltenham Festival winner last week courtesy of Pertemps runner-up Alaphilippe, and they aim to continue their run of form with five runners across Thursday’s cards, which make up into a 1,558/1 accumulator. Check out our thoughts on his chances below, along with a Bet £10 – Get £50 Sign-up bonus at bet365.
JEREMY THE JINN – (1.00 Huntingdon, Racing TV Maiden Hurdle) 7/4
Bumper winner at Market Rasen on debut last May. 0-3 since; hurdling the last twice, but not beaten far on each occasion a bad final flight error removing any chance of victory at Taunton last time. First-time tongue tie now goes on and that recent run marks him down as the one to beat in this company, particularly if cutting out the errors.
Verdict: Latest Taunton third strong form in the context of this race and a tongue tie now goes on; one to beat.
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THUNDERSOCKSSUNDAE – (2.05 Huntingdon, Racing TV Handicap Chase) 11/4
Has proven expensive to follow since joining this stable after the merge with former trainer Graeme McPherson, failing to score in five starts and being sent off no bigger than 4/1 in the process. Jumped out to his right at Newcastle last time, so going back this way round will suit, whilst he’s also far from exposed in this sphere, but the presence of recent winner Out The Glen in this line-up suggests he may have to little for minor money once more.
Verdict: 0-5 since joining this yard but not beaten far since sent chasing the last twice; tough ask coming up against recent winner Out The Glen mind.
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FEEL THE PINCH – (2.47 Sedgefield, Cazoo Novices’ Handicap Chase) 6/4
Found the addition of a first-time tongue-tie brought about some improvement when going in at Bangor eleven days ago, that just his second win from 13 starts; previous victory 33/1 Uttoxeter success in June 2019. Has gone up 4lb for that Bangor win but gets in here off last week’s mark of 106 and Liam Harrison now claims 3lb, so he’s essentially lower in the weights than when scoring last time.
Verdict: Bangor winner eleven days ago and he’s essentially 3lb lower here when factoring his jockey’s claim; obvious chance.
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GOOD AND HARDY – (3.31 Chepstow, Roofbase Handicap Chase) 9/2
His losing run currently stands at eleven, with his last win coming in a Uttoxeter handicap hurdle back in December 2019. Third and second over fences at Bangor the last twice, but he was still beaten 30l and 16l respectively and those runs brought his chase record to 0-6. Dropped 2lb, so now a massive 13lb below his last winning mark, but difficult to say those recent showings marked him down as a winner in waiting and most of his form has come on soft/heavy ground.
Verdict: 0-6 but undoubtedly well handicapped on the pick of his form; good ground a concern, however.
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PRINCESS PRIYA – (5.05 Chepstow, Join Hot To Trot Racing Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race) 10/1
The runner shortest in the market who has had the benefit of race experience, finishing fourth at Worcester for Tom Symonds 13 months ago and then sixth at Newcastle on stable debut in January. Those runs produced RPRs of 86 and 84, so set a fairly modest standard, and it would be a little disappointing if at least one of these newcomers couldn’t better that.
Verdict: Not disgraced in her two bumper starts to date, but those runs set a far from unachievable standard and there are some well-bred newcomers in attendance.
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