COUNTY HANDICAP HURDLE :
This should be more my cup of tea where speed figures count for something and my experience dissecting handicaps will be useful.
Andy Holding has correctly identified the two main strands of big field 2 mile handicaps feeding into the County: on this side of the Irish Sea we have the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury (won by Soaring Glory) and the other race is the Ladbroke Hurdle, in Leopardstown (won by Drop The Anchor (runs here)).
The Newbury race returned good speed figures but Soaring Glory was beaten 28L in the Supreme and the 6th, Guard Your Dreams, was beaten 7L further in its next race over a distance that was said to suit it. Fifty Ball and Edwardstone are the two to take out of the Betfair should the race stand up.
The Ladbroke I have quick, but Topspeed (The RP clockwatcher) has pegged it back. Andy Holding tips up the second horse from the Ladbroke, Champagne Gold, from the all-conquering Bromhead/Blackmore partnership, so he must agree with my interpretation of the time.
I cant argue with his choosing Champagne Gold, but at 3X CG's price, the bet is the third from the Ladbroke, Saint Doroux, @ 50 on the Exchanges, who hasnt been so heavily penalised as the pair that beat it then. Moreover, Simon Munir and Isaac Suede, the owners, have their retained jockey aboard today, so expect an improved performance. I watched the Ladbroke and noted 2 salient pointers re my selection - he jumps well and travels in a big field.
Selection Saint Deroux (£8 @ average 49)
Jack NSM