David Williams’ top tips for Haydock Champion Hurdle trial…and more
Published:
Hi,
I’m David Williams, PR Director for Ladbrokes. With Trump in the White House, change is rattling down the line, hence me agreeing to do a quick racing blog. Voters didn’t realise how serious the implications would be, did they?
And since David Cameron left Downing St, my lookalike appearance fee has bombed, so it’s time to branch out. I do a decent line in Ronnie Corbett V-necks as seen on the video that I’m led to believe you can also watch if you can’t be bothered to read.
Sadly for me it’s a case of antenatal classes not antepost markets this weekend, but if I didn’t have my first child due in mid March (great work, DW. Timico as a middle name, anyone?) I’d re-route home to my beloved Red Rose county (my accent is as fake as my Breitling) and Haydock, where the racing looks more than decent.
The 2:40 is billed as a Champion Hurdle trial, but I suggest taking that with a heap of salt. L’Ami Serge has everything in his favour but is short enough for a horse who generally finds one to good and The New One has a penalty to contend with. So too does Irving, but with all of his wins coming on soft ground, including over course and distance, I’m prepared to roll the dice at 5/1 or bigger.
The Peter Marsh Chase (3:15) sees talking-horse Alary bid to add to Colin Tizzard’s dizzying embarrassment of Gold Cup riches.
Purely on known form, the horse deserves to be nowhere near its short price in a race like this but the trainer has been talking this one up and it’s been expensive to ignore him this season.
As bookies we’ve got to play the game although I’m interested to see he’s been a shorter price for much of the week than the one we get now. As an alternative, Otago Trail – at double figures – gets his ground and is worth another try as a value alternative.
Congratulations if you made it this far, and apologies it’s taken a while. I’ve learned you can’t fax a blog.
Enjoy the weekend.
DW
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
