LION KINGS AT BIG BETDAQ ODDS FOR JUMPS FAREWELL: Daqman concentrates on a farewell to the Jumps which could break the mould of the Mullins v Elliott battle at Punchestown with the mares’ championship going to England’s Alan King at 16.5 on BETDAQ and David Pipe lined up for a 147-1 double of marathons that spans the Irish Sea. But he must defeat Blaklion in the Sandown Gold Cup.
DAQMAN MORE THAN 70 POINTS AHEAD OF PRICEWISE: Daqman is 16-4 up on Pricewise in their value challenge and 71 points clear to a single-unit level stake (Daqman +25.00, Pricewise –46.25). Today’s nap is at Haydock.
ROSE IS THE THORN FOR BLAKLION
3.35 Sandown (Gold Cup) Tidal Bay carried 11st 12lb on soft ground to win this in 2012, and Blaklion, Becher Chase winner but brought down at the first in the big race, shouldn’t have a problem on today’s surface.
The only other Graded-chase winners in the field are Houblon Des Obeaux, Present Man, Royal Vacation (as a novice), The Young Master and Theatre Guide (placed in this last year).
But only Present Man from among them has won more than one race or looked a reliable bet in the last two years, making this one of the weakest Sandown Gold Cups I can remember.
Present Man has a lot to prove at this longer trip, whereas Rathlin Rose, who loves Sandown, weakened only at the last fence in the Welsh Grand National run in a bog.
Third in the Warwick Classic, second in the Edinburgh National, Missed Approach stepped up to win the Kim Muir after wind surgery but is up in the weights and his best form is all on deeper ground (ditto Dawson City).
Minella Daddy has found Regal Encore pulling further away from him in two starts at Ascot. Encore must go close on his third in the Ladbrokes Trophy (the old Hennessy).
Step Back for the old Coneygree team looks laid out for this but his impressive win at Fakenham isn’t quite so inspiring when you can get only 9.6 offers this morning. I took 8.2 Blaklion and 18.5 Rathlin Rose on BETDAQ.
MIDNIGHT MARE FOR KING AT LAST
3.50 Punchestown (Mares Champion Hurdle) I’ve watched my horses crash out when holding a winning chance in the most bizarre series of chases at Punchestown.
But who dare have laid Melon or Samcro three out yesterday in a hurdle, a BETDAQ Champion Hurdle at that? Can we now take a short price about Apple’s Jade in this mares-only version. No fear.
Jer’s Girl will surely stay in her shadow, beaten three times by her this season, so it must be a question of whether the Gordon Elliott favourite can resist another Mullins assault.
But, if Willie’s Benie Des Dieux is the choice of ‘Rodeo’ Paul Townend, and of the betting market, as the one to catch a jaded Apple, then Midnight Tour is ‘all wrong’ at offers of 16.5 on BETDAQ.
Alan King has waited until one minute to midnight to make a big-race strike this season but was only half a length off the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham when this one split Benie des Dieux and Apple’s Jade.
The ground may make a difference. But, when there’s one that’s easy to back in a championship race, you must save on Benie the improver at the front of the market, particularly when it’s with champion Willie Mullins.
AUGUSTIN BETTER THAN DREAMS
5.00 Punchestown Like Blaklion, Isleofhopendreams has a huge chance despite top weight if he can repeat his second in. the Irish National when Wednesday’s Punchestown Gold Cup winner, Bellshill, was fourth.
Stablemate Augustin, seemingly preferred by Paul Townend, will be suited by the trip and has age on his side.
The more so has the six-year-old Daklondike. What a marathons double across the Irish Sea if David Pipe can win with this one and Rathlin Rose at Sandown.
Another improving youngster, Poormans Hill, the Ulster National winner, is also up in the weights, only a candle in the wind now for Gordon Elliott, who saw the trainers’ title blown away this week.
But, hold your horses here, Isleofhopendreams has never actually won a race over fences and his big-race seconds have shot him up the handicap late in life.
I can’t lay him at 9.4 in the BETDAQ green but I can take a short price against him, backing both Augustin (6.0) and Daklondike (7.2) in the orange.
The Nap The grey Mjjack (3.5 this morning) is reckoned a big improver. Has the draw to do the business and loves the conditions (2.05 Haydock)
DAQMAN BETS
2.05 Haydock (win 30)
BET 12pts win (nap) MJJACK
2.55 Ripon (win 20)
BET 4pts win MOBSTA
3.35 Sandown (win 50)
BULL’S-EYE BET: 7pts win BLAKLION
BULL’S-EYE BET: 2.75pts win and place RATHLIN ROSE
3.50 Punchestown (win 30)
BET 12pts win BENIE DES DEUX
BET: 2pts win and place MIDNIGHT TOUR
5.00 Punchestown (win 30)
BET 6pts win AUGUSTIN
BET 5pts win DAKLONDIKE
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