Horse Racing Tips for This weekend
6th February, 2008
Dream time
Saturday's Totesport Trophy Hurdle is one of the big betting races of the jumps season and, despite the shock victory for 50-1 outsider Heathcote in the last running, many gambles have been landed over the years and it usually goes to one of the strongly fancied horses. Paul Nicholls' Five Dream has earned his position at the top of the betting by winning competitive and fast run handicap hurdles at Sandown and Cheltenham on his last two starts. I was particularly impressed with the way he cut through his field at Cheltenham last time and, as his trainer believes Five Dream is improving rapidly and still favourably weighted, he is a confident selection.
It should be a tremendous day for Nicholls who also has Gold Cup hope Denman in the Aon Chase and the exciting Master Minded in the Game Spirit Chase. Denman will be a very skinny price and it will be a major surprise if he is beaten. A forecast Denman to beat the smart and consistent Another Promise is suggested as a better value bet than just lumping on the favourite. Master Minded, who created an excellent impression when winning at Sandown last time, should be reasonable odds with reigning champion two mile chaser Voy Por Ustedes in his race.
Ferdy Murphy's Master Builder looks fairly weighted in the totescoop6 Handicap Hurdle and the improving seven-year-old should make a bold bid to complete a hat-trick.
The unbeaten Striking Article has been entered for the Champion Hurdle as well as the Supreme and Ballymore Properties Novices Hurdles at Cheltenham and is clearly very highly regarded. Howard Johnson's chestnut has only had the one run over hurdles so far but did the job well and the second came out and won nicely next time. He faces his stiffer task in the opener a Newbury but should past the test on his way to the Festival.
Bank on Moss
Mossbank will not have Denman, who beat him last time, to worry about in the big race in Ireland on Sunday, the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown, and Michael Hourigan's gelding can get the better of English raider The Listener and his great old stablemate Beef Or Salmon.
The Raymond Smith Memorial Hunters Chase promises to be a very competitive heat but we should get a good run for our money with very talented General Striker from the in-form Enda Bolger yard.
Nicky Henderson continues in fine form and the Lambourn trainer's My Petra, who holds an Arkle Chase entry, should outclass her rivals in the Lindley Catering Mares Only Beginners Chase at Hereford on Sunday.
Best bets
Weekend Banker - My Petra 3.55 Hereford Sunday. Saturday Specials - Striking Article 1.05 Newbury. Master Minded 2.10 Newbury. Straight forecast Denman to beat Another Promise 2.45 Newbury. Five Dream 3.20 Newbury. Master Builder 3.55 Newbury. Sunday Wagers - Mossbank 3.50 Leopardstown. General Striker 4.25 Leopardstown.
