McCOY AND WALSH DO BATTLE AT TAUNTON: Ruby Walsh has top rides at Taunton today but Tony McCoy has just one, which means that they clash on unraced novice hurdlers. Daqman gives his verdict.
Spread the word: Ruby’s here. Ted Spread, a Group performer on the Flat, is only a length behind Triumph Hurdle favourite Grumeti on form.
That should make him the proverbial racing certainty at Taunton today (3.10), with Ruby Walsh over from Ireland to ride him. Walsh has a fabulous 48% strike rate at the track and, of course, Paul Nicholls is leading trainer, with nearly three times as many winners there as the next man.
Ted Spread, who opened his hurdles career with a good effort at Ascot, fading only at the last, was trounced 14 lengths by Grumeti over today’s CD but, starting favourite, was giving away 13lb, so was – at a pound a length – just one behind.
It’s hardly ever that simple but the opposition today is exposed. The nearest to him on Flat form is 27lb behind on official ratings, and giving 10lb.
That horse, Monetary Fund, is consistent in decent races; consistently failing to win, with seven times in the frame out of eight, but never the bride always the bridesmaid.
The one most likely to have taken the butter away from Ted Spread today was Ifyouletmefinish, who should have been top rated in that he got within four lengths of Pearl Swan over today’s CD, but he’s out of the race, though only a length separated him from today’s favourite when they met.
I’ve been suffering a bit from Murphy’s Law of late. I spotted two early-doors punts yesterday: Ministry carried the nap and was third, while I ignored the other one, Aikideau, a winner at 5-4.
Significant move today early doors at Taunton seemed to be opposition to Frankie Figg (4.10), another decent bet for Nicholls and Walsh if the paper forecast held sway.
But it didn’t. Punters couldn’t give a fig for Frankie this morning and he is 6.0 to a few quid at the time of writing, with most interest in Nomechecki, down in grade for Nick Gifford.
Both horses are 10 now but, of the two next in the market, one – Renard – is too high in the handicap if recent form is to be believed and the other – Star Galaxy – is not 10 but 12.
The trip certainly seems on the short side for Frankie and he’s not been seen for nearly two months. But he goes well fresh and his likely target (Aintree) is still a long way off. Forcing tactics could prevail in this poor race, and I note that he is tongue-tied today.
Tony McCoy is at Taunton for one ride: Alwaary (2.10) was only 5lb behind Ted Spread on the Flat, but Group-2 fourth in France, Dildar, gets 11lb today, with the four-year-old’s allowance.
However, we simply don’t know how good they will be over hurdles, so making a choice between 2-1 on and 5-1 against is no choice at all, despite the difference in weight. A P won’t half take the rise out of Ruby if he turns him over!
There are some who would back Menorah for the Arkle, though he’s beaten only three finishers in his two successes since December 2010, so I feel perfectly justified in punting Alwaary.
DAQMAN’S BET
BET 4pts win ALWAARY (2.10 Taunton)
BET 4pts win and place FRANKIE FIGG (4.10 Taunton)
DAQ MULTIPLES: 2 x 2pts win double DILDAR and ALWAARY (2.10 Taunton) with TED SPREAD (nap, 3.10 Taunton)
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