THATCH POINT
Daly’s ace to lead the way in Newcastle’s Eider Chase
BACK TO THE THATCH (nb) can make the most of his first attempt beyond four miles by lifting the Betfred Eider Chase (2.45) at Newcastle.
Henry Daly’s horses are in top form and Back To The Thatch added to the trainer’s seasonal tally when scoring by 11 lengths at Chepstow last month.
That contest was run over an extended two miles and seven furlongs, and Richard Johnson’s mount has to prove his stamina over today’s marathon trip.
But Back To The Thatch is bred to appreciate a distance and his liking for heavy ground will also stand him in good stead.
My selection has a 9lb hike in the weights to overcome but has had just four outings over fences, so there should be plenty more to come. REDICEAN
At Kempton, should defend his unbeaten record – and in the process book his passage to Cheltenham’s Triumph Hurdle – by landing the Grade 2 Betdaq Adonis Hurdle (2.25).
Alan King’s son of Medicean has impressed with two scores over course and distance this winter and is a worthy favourite to rack up the hat-trick.
King saddles an interesting SCARLET DRAGON debutant in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (3.00).
A high-class performer on the Flat for Eve Johnson Houghton, Scarlet Dragon has the potential to make a decent hurdler, and has had a wind operation since a rare disappointment at Newbury in September.
The remaining Grade 2 event on the card, the Betdaq Pendil Novices’ Chase (1.50), looks at the mercy of the Paul Nichollstrained CYRNAME.
Lingfield stages the Group 3 Betway Winter Derby (3.15), in KHALIDI, which now with Clive Cox after landing two Listed contests for John Gosden in 2017, is put up as an alternative to favourite Clear Skies. He’ll need to step up on the form of his two outings this year, but GRACIOUS JOHN is the horse to beat if returning to his best in the Betway Hever Sprint Stakes (2.05).
For more control over your bets try Betfair’s Each Way Edge. Add places to your each-way bet for a better chance of winning or remove places to win bigger