TAKE IT LIKE A TRUE CHAMP
CHAMP bids to live up to his name in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury (3.00) after an impressive victory in a handicap over course and distance last month.
Nicky Henderson’s improving novice is no bigger than 13-8.
With Barry Geraghty on board, the horse named after the great AP McCoy is already 8-1 favourite for the Ballymore Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival which could look generous if he wins today’s 2m4f showpiece.
But Olly Murphy has his string in great form and the Warwickshire handler saddles Brewin’Upastorm who beat a good field at Huntingdon last time.
The horse hails from a yard that has had four winners and 13 places from their last 27 runners and 5-1 is value.
Unibet have also seen cash for Kateson (6-1) who won well at the course last time and Tom Lacey’s runner should not be underestimated alongside the unbeaten Alsa Mix (8-1) for Alan King who won this race two years ago.
Elsewhere, Wenyer ready freddie is 3-1 favourite to win the Handicap Chase (3.35) after two victories at Ascot and Nico De Boinville is bullish in his exclusive Unibet blog.
However, Polydora is proven over this trip – unlike the favourite – and has been subject to a few bets under Richard Johnson who boasts a 24 per cent strike for the trainer this season.
In the Mandarin Chase (2.25), Reikers Island at 11-4 is a fair price but David Pipe’s horses are running particularly well and the Pond House trainer saddles Aurillac who has a layoff to overcome but has his first run since a wind op and we’ve seen cash for him at 10-1.
Ballydine is the other we’ve had to keep on side at 11-2.
Over in Ireland, at Leopardstown, Samcro is back in action in the Ryanair Hurdle (2.30) and is 15-8.
But Supasundae could cement his Unibet Champion Hurdle credentials further and 7-1 are generous odds for this proven performer.
After losing at Kempton on Boxing Day, Buveur D’Air is out to 5-4f for the Champion Hurdle while Quel Destin was slashed into 10-1 (from 20-1) for the Triumph Hurdle after victory in the Finale Hurdle at Chepstow on Thursday.
In the Gold Cup, Might Bite was pushed out to 14-1 after his King George defeat to Clan Des Obeaux who is 10-1.