Tuesday November 13th

I had no expectations for tomorrows racing, so It was a very pleasant surprise to look at the overnight declarations and see not 1; not even 2 - but 3 very decent meetings..!

Ofcourse, they are decent by mid week standards - but even so, each meeting has at least an interesting race or two on the card - and whilst I would recommend treading very carefully, there may possibly be one or two bets lurking…

Somewhat surprisingly, the best card is at Hereford - and they also host the best race of the day, in the handicap chase at 3:30.

Hereford

2:30

I do like novice handicap chases (a stroke of genius, by whoever invented them !) - and this is a nice example…

The top 3 look like the ones to focus on (probably) - though choosing between them isn’t easy…

Great things were expected of Brelan Das over fences, last season - but he was a big disappointment and ended the season back over hurdles.

He tries the bigger obstacles again tomorrow - and over a shorter trip.
He’s potentially well handicapped on a mark of 130, as he won a hurdle race off the same mark, 2 years ago.

However, whether he’ll be able to replicate that level of form over fences tomorrow, is a different matter…

Jurby is just about favourite - and I would expect him to run well.

However, he’s already 8 - which is quite old to be making the switch to fences…

I’d rather side with the 5 year old, Irish Prophecy.

He bumped in to Kalashnikov last season - and then, If the Cap Fits.

He wasn’t disgraced either race - and doesn’t face a rival of their calibre tomorrow (please note clever play on words there :) )

Selection: Irish Prophecy at 7/2

3:30 

Emma Lavelle could be in for a double tomorrow afternoon, as I like her De Rasher Counter in this…

He was a fair novice hurdle last season - but it’s his debut effort over fences, last time, which catches the eye.

That was in a hot novice chase at Uttoxeter, where he finished third behind Lil Rockerfeller and Wenyerreadyfreddie.

Both of those have won good races since and whilst De Rasher Counter was beaten a fair way - he also shaped with a deal of promise…

There’s a chance that his inexperience could catch him out tomorrow against more seasoned rivals - but if his jumping holds, then I think he will take a bit of beating. 

In fairness, he faces plenty of interesting rivals, so it won't be a formality.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see big runs from both Hogans Height and Creep Desbois - whilst Conna Cross and Too Many Diamonds can also both be given a chance…

Selection: De Rasher Counter at 5/1

Huntingdon

2:10

This is just about the best race on the Huntingdon card - and Banditry looks a worthy favourite.

He is potentially very well handicapped - not based on his hurdles form - but on his more recent runs on the flat.

He’s been competitive off a mark of 102 on the flat - and you can usually add about 40 to that to get an equivalent hurdle mark.

He actually runs tomorrow off a mark of 124 - so could have 20lb in hand.
The only trouble is, on his last run over hurdles (12 months ago), he was beaten off a mark of 125.
Of course he may have improved in the interim - or conversely, he just might not be as good over hurdles !

On balance, at a price of 6/4, I’d be inclined to take him on…

Both Distingo and Embole have plenty of scope for improvement - and I’d be inclined to side with one of them.

Of the 2, I would have a slight preference for Embole - and that would increase, if he’s strong in the betting !

Selection: Embole at 5/1

Lingfield

3:20

Evron catches my eye in this, on his second run for Warren Greatrex.

He disappointed on his stable debut at Carlisle - but should be better for that experience.

The handicapper has dropped him 5lb to a mark of 114 - and he is likely to appreciate the softer ground tomorrow.

It would be unusual for Munir/Souede to have a poor horse - and I will be a little surprised if Evron isn’t capable of winning off his current mark (and probably a bit higher !).
Forecast sets the standard for the race - but he may not appreciate the soft ground.

And whilst it’s hard to get handle on most of the others - I’m sure the betting will provide a good guide !

Selection: Evron at 5/1