A busy Monday of racing action is in store with five cards taking place across the UK and Ireland.
National Hunt action comes from Punchestown, Hereford, Plumpton and Huntingdon, while there's evening all-weather racing from Wolverhampton.
Our Monday fancies include an improving chaser for David Pipe heading for Hereford looking to start the year with a win.
Selections
- Hereford 3:35 - Only The Bold @ 13/8
- Huntingdon 3:25 - Whizz Kid @ 4/1
- Punchestown 3:07 - Sa Fureur @ 9/4
Tip 1
ONLY THE BOLD (13/8) can lay claim to having beaten the smart Tommy's Oscar when winning his point-to-point in early 2020. He joined Evan Williams for his career under Rules and landed a novice hurdle win at Southwell (2m4½f, soft) in February of 2021, though that would be his only win in eight hurdles starts. He was placed three more times and generally was a solid performer.
He left the Welsh handler last summer and made his fencing bow at Bangor (3m, heavy) in late November where he duly scored with any amount in hand under Fergus Gillard, racing handily and putting the race to bed in ready fashion before coasting home.
The application of first-time cheekpieces and tongue-tie that day appeared to be positives, as was the switch to larger obstacles. He's up to a mark of 127 now - raised 10lb - but that should be within his scope and the forecast soft ground here is in his favour, as is the slightly longer trip. He is fancied to make it 2-2 for the Pond House trainer.
Latest Horse Racing Betfred Odds
Tip 2
Dr Richard Newland has picked a good target for WHIZZ KID (4/1) at Huntingdon this afternoon as they look for a first success in handicaps.
The Teofilo gelding won twice over hurdles in maiden/novice company last spring, handling good/soft ground, and has generally competed well in stronger races than this one since.
He was runner-up at Musselburgh in November on his seasonal bow and ran well at Ascot and Aintree afterwards before being pulled up at Kempton in the Lanzarote Hurdle this month (2m5f, soft).
He's been eased another 2lb for that and is now down to what could be a lenient perch of 120, while rider Luke Scott can take off 7lb in the saddle.
This is a competitive contest but Whizz Kid looks to have as a good a chance as anything and, in a race where Betfred offer Free Bet if 2nd, he is worth supporting.
Tip 3
The Gordon Elliott-trained SA FUREUR (9/4) looks very much the one to beat in this Rated Novice Hurdle on the card at Punchestown.
The Walk In The Park gelding finished second in a Limerick maiden (2m, heavy) on hurdles bow at Christmas, an effort that has been boosted by the winner since while the fourth home won his next start.
So, too, did Sa Fureur as he comfortably landed a maiden over two-miles on heavy going here in mid-January, picking up well once asked for his effort by Davy Russell to come away and win by nearly five lengths.
Rob James is on board here and takes off a very useful 7lb in the saddle. The step up in trip should suit this Cullentra inmate and he can land the spoils.
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