WORTH THE RISQ
Gordon has Betfair prize in his sights
CHRIS GORDON can pull off a training masterclass with AUCUNRISQUE (3.35, Nap) in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.
The in-form handler targets Britain’s richest handicap over the smaller obstacles – and has been regularly rewarded.
In the past three renewals, horses from his Hampshire stable have finished in the top four, often overcoming market expectations.
But this year’s runner is a leading fancy, running off a mark 7lb lower than his chase rating.
Despite lacking scope for the bigger obstacles, Aucunrisque has run several cracking races in defeat.
The form of his Newbury second is working out well and he gave Boothill a fright in a Grade Two at Kempton – a rival he would have been 9lb better off with in a handicap.
Tough and hardy, Aucunrisque won’t shirk this strongly-run test and he will love today’s faster surface.
Conditions tip the scales in favour of DOES HE KNOW (2.25) in the Grade Two Betfair Denman Chase.
Kim Bailey’s, above, stout stayer lumped a huge weight to victory at Cheltenham’s November Meeting, which earned him a crack at this higher level.
The eight-year-old has won seven times with good in the going description – and he is the value play against Paul Nicholls’ Hitman who has to bounce back to form.
Ditcheat’s 13-times champion trainer has even more obvious claims with Betfair Exchange Game
Spirit Chase favourite
GREANETEEN
(3.00).
Some 15lb ahead on the ratings, it would be a surprise if he cannot collect the Grade Two’s £39,865 first prize. Each-way value lies with BRIDGE NORTH (1.50) in the wide open Betfair Multiples Offer Every Saturday Handicap Hurdle.
Forgiven below-par efforts on soft ground, the bay’s comeback fifth was encouraging, when he appeared rusty on the fitness front.
Now 2lb lower, Henry Daly’s lightly-raced sort is on the right side of the handicapper if he can put it all together.
Warwick’s Cheltenham Festival trialists are headed by JONBON (2.40) in the Grade TwoVirgin Bet Kingmaker Novices’ Chase.
The Arkle favourite turned on the style during his opening starts in this discipline – and he should enjoy a good tow from course and distance scorer Haddex Des Obeaux.
Jonbon’s stablemate THEATRE GLORY (2.05) is fancied to thwart Love Envoi in theVirgin Bet Best Odds Daily Warwick Mares’ Hurdle.
Fame And Glory’s daughter showed a bright turn of speed to win at Cheltenham’s April Meeting – and that can be the deciding factor to bridge the ratings gap with the favourite.
STOLEN SILVER (1.30) is tipped for the gold medal in the Virgin BetWarwick Castle Handicap Chase.