By Charlie McCann
The Tingle Creek Chase remains one of the most eagerly awaited events on the racing calendar as the best two mile chasers in Britain and Ireland battle it out over the minimum trip at one of the most iconic racecourses in the world. This year’s renewal may lack previous Tingle Creek winners and Champion Chasers Sprinter Sacre and Sire De Grugy through injury but it is a very competitive betting heat and BetVictor have a Grade 1 offer to mark this Grade 1 race. Place a bet on the Tingle Creek and if your selection finishes second BetVictor will refund your losing win stake as a free bet up to a maximum of £20.
Tom George’s Haldon Gold Cup winner God’s Own will relish the forecast better ground however Balder Succes (3.00) can reverse the form after his defeat last time out at Exeter. Alan King‘s 6-y-o was conceding 7lb that day and should come on for the run, with man of the moment Richard Johnson an excellent jockey booking, in the plate for the very first time. The Harry Fry stable remain in good nick and his Vukovar was backed ante post (10s from 20s) and he could prove a big danger to the main protagonists, should he take to the minimum trip.
Vaniteux won last year’s corresponding novice’s hurdle that opens the card and trainer Nicky Henderson looks to have another smart prospect with JP McManus’s Clean Sheet (12.20) and AP McCoy in the plate. The selection was touted as one of Seven Barrows’ brightest novices last term and despite not running since winning an Irish PTP in March 2013, warrants maximum respect on his debut under rules.
There’s a 42,000 sell-out crowd for Aintree‘ Becher Chase meeting and 25-runners heading to post for the feature race over the National fences. Last year’s winner Chance Du Roy heads the market as the 10/1 favourite with BetVictor for Phiilipp Hobbs and Tom O’Brien and boasts a terrific record but from a 6lb higher mark appears vulnerable. Our Father (1.30) is another who gives his best running first time out and gets the nod to land the Pipes a first success in the race.
The 8-y-o has just thirteen starts to his name (seven over fences) but has won on his seasonal reappearance three seasons out of four, his sole disappointment coming when a beaten favourite in last year’s Hennessy on ground quicker than ideal. He remains unexposed and is open to further improvement and is an excellent each-way bet at 14/1 with BetVictor, who are paying FIVE PLACES on the race.
Distime (1.00) and Baileys Concerto finished 1-2 in a competitive C&D handicap at Aintree’s October meeting however John Quinn’s 8-y-o can reverse the form on 3lb better terms. The selection built on that outing by bolting up last month at Sedgefield and despite a 10lb hike at the weights, can go in again under James Reveley.
Carole’s Destrier (3.10) beat subsequent Newbury scorer Carraig Mor by 6l on just his second start over fences at Exeter and looks potentially chucked in from a mark of 140 in the Welsh Grand National trial at Chepstow. The selection goes for the in-form Neil Mulholland yard and can give weight and a beating to his nine rivals under regular pilot Michael Byrne.
Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Lord Windemere makes his seasonal reappearance on Sunday at Punchestown against Willie Mullins’ Punchestown GC scorer Boston Bob however over two and a half miles Don Cossack (2.00) gets the nod for Gordon Elliot and Brian O’ Connell. The Don thrives going right-handed in small fields, and with two wins under his belt already this term is taken to complete the hat-trick in the John Durkan.
Barry Geraghty was supposed to ride Don Cossack but instead heads to Huntingdon for the Peterborough Chase, riding French Opera for boss Nicky Henderson. Simonsig was the yard’s intended runner before an injury scuppered his chance and this seems like a last-minute alternative. Eduard (2.05) looks the most exciting runner in the field and is given the nod for the in-form pair of Nicky Richards and Brian Harding. The selection chased home subsequent Hennessy winner Many Clouds on his seasonal debut last month at Carlisle, giving the Oliver Sherwood horse 6lb, and with a run under his belt is taken to return to winning ways in G2 company.
There’s an excellent card up at Kelso where Malcom Jefferson’s Oscar Rock (12.50) makes his debut over the larger obstacles and a horse that looked a quintessential chaser in the making. The 6-y-o lost his way last term however has form tired in with a host of smart novices’ and can return to winning ways in first-time cheek-pieces.
For all the latest odds head to BetVictor.com and make sure to follow @BetVictorRacing on Twitter
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