ASCOT, SATURDAY – DECEMBER 19TH
I was confident Benny’s King was overpriced in the For the Love of Racing Handicap Chase. He had run well here back in January 2020 when a neck second to Domaine de L’Isle, albeit over a longer trip, and had shaped well on his seasonal reappearance when fifth to Modus at Aintree. Don’t wait for the end of the year to check out the 2021 Cheltenham betting guide ahead of the action at Cleeve Hill.
I made him about an 11/2 chance in this line up and was happy therefore to have a decent each way bet at 15/2.
Benny’s King helped to force a strong pace, and although his round of jumping was not blemish free, he got the job done winning by six lengths.
A 7lb hike in the handicap may not be enough to stop Benny’s King if in this sort of form, and it will be interesting to see where he lines up next.
KEMPTON, SATURDAY – DECEMBER 26TH
Frodon produced an excellent front running display under an astute ride from Bryony Frost. They took more than five seconds longer to reach the third last fence than Shan Blue, who had won the Kauto Star Novice Chase over the same course and distance earlier on the card. It was a well-judged ride with Frodon being given the most efficient ride in the race.
The performance of the runner up Waiting Patiently can be upgraded. He made up significant ground in the home straight which was no easy task considering the way the race was run. It was his first run in over a year and providing he can be kept sound he could be winning again.
MUSSELBURGH, FRIDAY – JANUARY 1ST
With both Cheltenham on Exeter lost to the elements all eyes of the National Hunt fraternity were on the Scottish venue of Musselburgh, where the only domestic jump action on New Year’s Day was staged.
“New Year, New Beginning” or so the saying goes, therefore I decided to undertake a new project from today. Each Friday until the end of Jumps season in April, I will give my best bet of the day via Twitter. You can follow the bets @Optimum_racing.
Exit to Where was for me the best value bet on the card, and I put him up to my Twitter followers as an each way bet at 11/2. Although no match for the game winner, Eagle Ridge, Exit to Where finished third to ensure no damage was done!
CHEPSTOW, SATURDAY – JANUARY 9TH
The rearranged Welsh National fixture took place behind closed doors as the country braced itself for another national lockdown. For me, the importance of live sport to so many during these difficult times cannot be underestimated.
I have spoken to several people who view horse racing and sport in general as a lifeline, and one of very few activities they currently have to look forward to. The BHA have done sterling work to keep the show on the road and let us hope it continues.
Having waited 54 years for a Welsh trained Welsh National winner, Secret Reprieve became the second winner in successive seasons to be trained in the Principality. Under a cool ride by the talented Adam Wedge, the Evan Williams trained 7-y-o won by three lengths from the tough The Two Amigos and looks a promising staying chaser with a bright future.
My only bet on the card was in the three mile Novice Handicap Chase. Hold That Taught, who had shown promise on both his Chase starts to date looked value against the favourite Ask Me Early.
The race developed into a duel between the pair with Ask Me Early making all to win by just under two lengths, with nearly 30 lengths back to the third. This looks solid form and both the first two look likely to develop into decent staying chasers, and should win plenty of races.
EXETER, SUNDAY – JANUARY 10TH
The inclement weather had meant it had been a quiet start to the New Year for clients of Optimum Racing, and today we had only our second account bet of the month.
Sectional timings have been a major factor in our success over the last 16 years and they helped identify another decent price winner in Crossley Tender. He jumped and travelled well throughout and proved too strong for his rivals winning by six and a half lengths.
MARKET RASEN, SATURDAY JANUARY 16TH
Although the highlight on a low key Saturday was the fixture at Warwick, the only bet advised to Optimum clients was in the finale at Market Rasen. Unsuited by dropping back to the minimum distance at Warwick last time out Light Flicker looked worth an each way bet judged on the form of his win at Wetherby the time before. He put up a decent performance only to find Getaway North too good to the tune of just over a length, nevertheless a small profit on our investment was returned.
ONE TO WATCH
Ask Me Early, trained by Harry Fry, is improving. He really impressed when winning at Chepstow in January not least with his jumping, and he can develop into a decent staying chaser.
