HEADWAY ALL-IN
New ground for turf star
THERE’S “snow” jump racing today so our punters are relying on Lingfield (subject to an 8am inspection) to find some winners.
The Listed Spring Cup takes centre stage at 3.30, where Headway has his first start on the Polytrack.
He has excellent turf form and trainer William Haggas boasts a 27 per cent strike rate on the course’s all-weather, therefore he’s been strong in the market.
Ryan Moore and Jeremy Noseda teamed up for a double at the course on Wednesday and the top combo are represented by Acomb Stakes third Lansky. In a firsttime tongue tie, he’s the best backed of the two.
In the Handicap (2.55) Encore d’Or should make amends for a narrow defeat in a higher grade last week and Robert Cowell’s charge is the steamer of the day. We’ve also seen plenty of cash for Yensir in the 2.20 having his first start for Olly Murphy, who has secured Luke Morris to do the steering aboard this 2-1 shot.
Unibet’s Festival ante-post book came alive this week as weights for the handicaps were revealed.
We’ve been forced to trim Singlefarmpayment into 12-1 for the Ultima Chase on the Tuesday as momentum gathered behind Tom George’s runner. George also saddles The Worlds End in the Stayers’ Hurdle on the Thursday and he’s been subject to shrewd support at 16-1.
Act Of Valour is now 11-1 from 16-1 for the Fred Winter Hurdle and Cause Of Causes is clear 5-2 favourite for the Cross Country, having been 7-2 to nab back-to-back wins.
We’ve pushed Footpad out to evens for the Arkle as more money comes for Brain Power, who’s now 7-1 from 12-1.
Road To Riches is particularly fancied in the Kim Muir and 25-1 for the Irish raider is looking vulnerable. After an easy success in the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton, Redicean was shortened into 9-2 from 8s for the Triumph and looks better value than the 11-4 jolly Apple’s Shakira.
In the Bumper (Wednesday) Unibet laid £6,000 in a single bet on Rhinestone so shortened his odds to 7-1 from 9-1.
Unibet ambassadors Nicky Henderson and Jessica Harrington feature in our Festival preview on Monday. See @unibet for details.