Horse Racing Betting Tips: Agrapart can slog his way to JLT Hurdle success at Ascot
IF YOU have finished your Christmas shopping and don’t have plans tomorrow, then head to Ascot for a terrific card featuring the Grade One JLT Hurdle (2.25pm).
A race that has served up plenty of small-field uncompetitive affairs in the past has been blessed with 11 runners and has the potential to be a cracker.
Nicky Henderson saddles three, headed by likely favourite Call Me Lord who hasn’t been seen in action since landing the Select Hurdle at Sandown by 16 lengths back in April.
The five-year-old looks a hugely exciting prospect and threatens to improve even further for this step up in trip.
Sadly, that fact hasn’t been lost on the bookmakers and he looks worth opposing at just 5/2.
Unowhatimeanharry did regular followers of this column a favour by landing the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last time, but this is definitely tougher on less favourable terms.
Last year’s winner Sam Spinner hasn’t looked the same horse in three starts since but is effective in these conditions and the application of cheekpieces could spark him back to life.
However, at the prices I am prepared to take a chance on Nick Williams’ AGRAPART at a best-priced 15/2 now that the rain has arrived.
His run over an inadequate trip at Aintree last month on ground that wouldn’t have suited will have blown the cobwebs away and he should go well here.
The big betting race of the day is the Betfair Exchange Hurdle (3.35pm) where the Williams team have another live chance in the shape of FLYING TIGER who can be backed each-way at 18/1 with Ladbrokes.
He’s now 1lb lower than the mark from which he won the Fred Winter at Cheltenham a few seasons back and Chester Williams takes off another valuable 7lbs. On his best form he looks thrown in here and must have a chance of getting involved.
I’m also going to throw a few quid each-way at Irish raider TORNADO WATCH at 16/1.
He was a good fifth at Fairyhouse last time and, even though he is no spring chicken at the age of nine, he could still be well handicapped.
Topweight and favourite Jolly’s Cracked It has only had two races since winning this two years ago and looks plenty short enough at 11/2 considering he is 6lbs higher in the weights now.
Up at Haydock, the big betting race of the day is the Smarkets Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (2.40pm) where the ground is certain to be testing.
We won’t know the final field until later this morning, but the likely favourite is Tom Lacey’s Kimberlite Candy who is on a hat-trick.
Although he should run well, he is too short for me at 7/2 considering the race he won at Ayr last month probably wasn’t the greatest.
I always keep an eye out for Trevor Hemmings’ horses in staying chases at his local track and top-weight TESTIFY could prove a class apart from these.
Donald McCain’s inmate is two from two at Haydock, with both wins coming over fences last winter, the last of which was at Grade Two level in January.
Admittedly, things have gone slightly downhill since then, but his trainer has always thought highly of him and a return to this course could see him bounce back to form on his second start following a wind operation.
At 8/1 with Ladbrokes, he looks worth chancing each-way. It’s also worth noting that two of the last six winners carried top weight.
No trainer in Britain is in better form than Nicky Richards and he can continue his recent purple patch with BETTER GETALONG in the 2m3f handicap hurdle (2.05pm).
The seven-year-old has won on his reappearance for the past two seasons, loves soft ground and should relish the trip, so take the 5/1 with Coral.
McCain’s Chti Balko looks the main danger following a fine effort behind Black Mischief over course and distance last month.
POINTERS SATURDAY
Better Getalong e/w 2.05pm Haydock
Agrapart e/w 2.25pm Ascot
Testify e/w 2.40pm Haydock
Flying Tiger e/w 3.35pm Ascot
Tornado Watch e/w 3.35pm Ascot