Betfair Hurdle 2017

I’m taking a chance that Bags Groove gets declared today, as I
doubt that the 25/1 with Skybet would still be available if he is.
He looked a decent prospect running in NHF races last year, particularly in his last
race at Newbury, looking unlucky not to get his head in front in a decent race.
Looked promising in his introduction to hurdling over C/D in November, 2nd behind
Jenkins. Again just pipped next time out, again at Newbury, but looked to have
improved and ran out an easy winner winner, as you would expect at 1/3, in his last
run at Taunton over 19f.

He knows Newbury well, will handle the forecast soft ground, looks the type for this
and carrying around 10-5 will give him every chance. Obviously it’s a tough race and
a good case could be made for many, but at 25/1 I think he’s very decent value

Added a fiver E/W @ 50’s on Kayf Blanco.

Dropped a bit since finishing third in that Brain Power race. Ran in a bog over 2 1/4 last time out, but if you disregard that he must have a squeak considering the prices of the others from that race.

The going is currently soft at Newbury and with the weather forecasting rain for the rest of the week it will likely be heavy ground. Ballyandy won easily on the same card last year when the ground was heavy, he is now as low as 9/2 but still available at 13/2 with Betfair. I can see him being up with the pace, taking the lead half a mile out and winning by 5 lengths.

Clyne for me here. Really progressing type, who does not have to give too much weight away.

botchy1 wrote:

Added a fiver E/W @ 50’s on Kayf Blanco.

Dropped a bit since finishing third in that Brain Power race. Ran in a bog over 2 1/4 last time out, but if you disregard that he must have a squeak considering the prices of the others from that race.

With you here, Botchy. Too big at 50/1 with ground likely to be in his favour. Got kicked when hampered at Exeter last time and needed stitches. Added as an each way saver in a very hot race.

I’m disappointed that Bags Groove wasn’t declared for this, I thought he looked like
he could have had a say in it, so it’s back to the drawing board. There are some with
very obvious chances, Ballyandy and Consul De Thaix to mention but two, but I’ve missed
the value prices and at around 5/1 they are a bit skinny, I’ll keep an eye for any drifting.
Instead I’m taking a chance on something with more potential than substance in KRUGERMAC.
He won his first run over hurdles, in a maiden race at Ascot. He was impressive that day,
and although inexperienced he drew right away after the last to win by an easy 8L. That was
back in November 2015. He was clearly though a lot of, and went off 1/4 in his next run
a month later at Lingfield. He finished 2nd, beaten a long way in an absolute bog, which he
he hated, and was subsequently found to have suffered a tendon injury which put him out
for the best part of a year.

I noted last November that Moore, who knows what it takes to win this having won it 3 times
previously, identified the Betfair as Krugermac’s main objective. I had it noted down that
Moore stated ……
“”He has only raced twice over hurdles and I would like to train him for the Betfair Hurdle, which would mean he would need a run or two before then, but he could quite easily do that in the middle of December.”
He also said “he is an exciting horse that we are looking forward to a lot”

He didn’t see a racecourse until Sandown in January, and it was pretty evident that he badly
needed the run. How much he will have come on for that is the question, and will Gary manage
to get him ready in time. At 25/1 with Boylesports I think he’s worth
taking a risk on. The handicapper has only given him 119, down three from his Sandown run.
He could do without Renneti making the final decs, as he’s presently 6lbs out of the handicap,
and that would raise him 5lbs. He’s one of Willie Mullins, so every chance he might not make
the trip, and if Hargam follows suit, that’s another 3lbs. I think with the year out and the
run at Sandown, the handicapper might be taking a chance, I hope Moore can take advantage of it.

Thanks TAPK, I’m keeping a close look on that market, and I see there’s a little 11/2 for
Ballyandy at the moment. I’d love to get 6s (or better), but if it starts going blue I’ll
definitely grab that, it would give me one with obvious chances and one speculative one.
Cheers mate