January 26th/27th Free Horse Racing Tips
23rd January, 2008
Faasel to surprise
Nicky Richards has always harboured the feeling that Faasel would benefit from a thorough test of stamina. The seven-year-old is undoubtedly very talented but often looks a tricky customer and he is not one to have the rent money on, However, getting weight from his main rivals and at the likely big odds, he is worth backing each-way to prove his in-form Cumbria based handler is correct in the featured Letherby And Christopher Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.
Faasel's stablemate Glingerbank, who missed out on a good opportunity because of the weather last weekend can gain compensation in the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase on the same card. The gelding has only been out of the first three once in seven starts and looked in fine fettle when winning at Kelso last time. The handicapper may have erred on the side of leniency in leaving his rating unchanged at 112.
Devon trainer Victor Dartnall believes Lodge Lane, who has won four or his five starts under Rules, has the potential to be the best he has trained and the seven-year-old can go some way to confirming that opinion in either the Ballymore Properties Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham or the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle at Doncaster on Saturday.
At first glance the 9lb rise in his rating the handicapper handed Bagan for winning a 3m novices handicap chase at Newbury by 4l from Burren Legend recently looks on the harsh side. However, Charlie Mann's charge won with something to spare at the Berkshire track and appeared to relish his first chance to tackle the distance. Bagan, who has won three of his six starts over fences, should get his ground at Doncaster on Saturday in the Sky Bet Chase and he could prove the assessor was in fact generous after his latest success.
Euro champ
Henry De Bromhead's Sizing Europe can advance his Champion Hurdle claims by landing the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday. The six-year-old overcame appalling weather conditions to collect the Greatwood Hurdle from subsequent Boylesport International Hurdle winner Osana at Cheltenham last time. Previously he was in the lead and going great guns when tipping up at the penultimate flight in a Listed Hurdle won by Aitmatov at Punchestown. He can gain his revenge on Aitmatov who has won twice in the meantime.
Clarified created a good impression when easily opening his account over hurdles in a maiden at Punchestown two weeks ago. The gelding needs to improve considerably on the bare form if he is to follow up in the Grade 2 Toshiba Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown but, as he has only had two runs over timber and is trained by the ultra shrewd Tony Martin, that is by no means impossible.
Best bets
- Weekend Banker - Lodge Lane 1.00 Cheltenham or 3.30 Doncaster Saturday.
- Saturday Specials - Faasel each-way 2.40 Cheltenham, Glingerbank 1.35 Cheltenham. Bagan 3.00 Doncaster.
- Sunday Wagers - Sizing Europe 2.55 Leopardstown. Clarified 3.30 Leopardstown.
Don't forget to use these tips in conjunction with Totesport's free £25 bet!
Provided by Kel Mansfield of the Racing & Football Outlook.
