Wetherby is one of three tracks in action on Tuesday, and the course sees three bang in-form trainers head to the track with the sole runner. Check out our thoughts on whether or not their representatives can continue the run of the stable, and why not also check out an exclusive Bet £10 – Get £50 Sign-up bonus at bet365.
GREDIN – Donald McCain 32% strike-rate last two weeks (2.01 Wetherby, Watch Racing TV In Stunning HD Novices’ Hurdle)
Malpas-based trainer Donald McCain landed a 109-1 four-timer at Carlisle on Sunday and his first runner since is GREDIN, who takes his chance in this extended 2m3f novices’ hurdle.
The only previous winner in this line-up, Gredin hasn’t managed to add to his October Carlisle win from three subsequent runs, but he went down by just a head at Catterick on penultimate run and wasn’t disgraced on handicap debut at Doncaster subsequently.
This rates a drop-in class for Gredin, and jockey Brian Hughes maintains the partnership, so although he shoulders a 7lb penalty this really doesn’t rate the strongest of novices and therefore a return to his best form would make him the one to beat
Verdict: A little in and out in his career thus far but this is weaker than his recent handicap debut and he’s the only previous winner in the line-up.
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KATPOLI – Dr Richard Newland 36% strike-rate last two weeks (2.36 Wetherby, Watch Irish Racing On Racing TV Handicap Chase)
Dr Richard Newland has sent out four winners from his last six runners which include doubles at Fakenham and Fontwell. He aims to continue this excellent run with KATPOLI, his sole runner on Wetherby’s Tuesday card.
This 7yo son of Poliglote is now without a win in over two years, yet that victory came here at Wetherby and Katpoli finds himself on a 13lb lower mark.
Charlie Hammond’s mount bounced back from a Newbury non-completion when a 16/1 fourth at Sandown earlier this month, a run which can be upgraded considering that he tended to jump out to his left. Going back this way round looks a big plus on that evidence whilst it also suggested that stepping up in trip from 2m was once again worth exploring.
Having mostly plied his trade at Class 2 & 3 level in recent years, Katpoli drops down to Class 4 level for the first time since sent handicapping, and that course win shows just how well handicapped he is if bouncing back to anywhere near his best form.
Verdict: On a losing run but his last victory came at this track and he’s now 13lb lower, whilst a recent Sandown fourth represented a return to form.
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ANTUNES – Milton Harris 36% strike-rate last two weeks (3.11 Wetherby, Wetherby Racecourse Car Boot Sales Handicap Hurdle)
Milton Harris is enjoying an incredible season (22% strike-rate / +30.64 profit to level stakes) and although Knight Salute was unable to provide his yard with a Cheltenham Festival success in last week’s Triumph Hurdle, Harris is still managing to operate at a 36% strike-rate in the past fortnight.
He aims to continue that run of form with ANTUNES, a runner who arrives bang in-form having run out an impressive 17l winner of a handicap chase at Bangor nine-days-ago.
That brought Antunes’s form figures in Class 4 handicaps to 131, and the gelding runs off the same mark of 122 reverted to hurdles this afternoon.
Those factors make Antunes an attractive proposition from a handicapping perspective, and he is unexposed for the Harris yard, but there is a fascinating rival running here in Bucephalus, who could be well handicapped off an opening hurdles mark of 107 if translating his high 70s Flat rating into this sphere.
Verdict: Hacked up over fence last week and gets in here off the same mark, so must be considered for all that Bucephalus in particular looks a potential improver.
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