Methaaly looks magic at 9s
Methaaly was a real eye-catcher last time out and looks good value at 9/1 to take advantage of a lenient handicap mark in the 4.30 at Wolverhampton.
Mike Mullineaux’s gelding showed that his time was near when finishing well from off the pace to finish a 2 1/2 length 5th of 13 to Caledonia Princess Over Course and distance six days ago.
After dwelling at the start he made good headway a furlong from home and ran on strongly from an uncompromising position.
That run came off 70, and he races off the same mark today having last been successful at this track off a mark of 75 last December.
Since then he has run a number of solid races off marks as high as 77, and there is little doubt in my mind that if building on his latest effort he is handicapped to play a major role in the outcome.
the eight-year-old also goes well for inexperienced riders, and with Noel Garbut taking off another 5lb he looks very attractively weighted on a course which he runs particularly well.
At 9/1 he looks a great each-way play.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Methaaly (9/1 generally available – BOG firms)
Stitch looks Grand at 14/1
Grand Stitch is too well treated to ignore in the 5.00 at Wolverhampton and at 14/1 makes plenty of each-way appeal.
The five-year-old has been well below par this season, but did run well when third at Ayr in July to Wicked Wilma off a mark of 62 and ran far better than his finishing position suggest at Nottingham last time out.
He led the stands side group a merry dance that day, but those drawn on the far side had the advantage and he was not knocked about once it was clear he would not be winning.
However he only weakened close home to be beaten just over four lengths, and it was a solid effort given that all his best form has come on the all-weather.
Now that he is back on his favoured surface he has been given a huge chance at the weights to score an overdue success if building on his latest effort.
The gelding is now down to a mark of 58 – the same as when scoring decisively over course and distance last October.
He went on to follow up at the track 9 days later off a mark of 65, and from 7lb lower today he has been given a huge chance by the handicapper.
Another plus is that for a front runner he is well drawn to attack in stall two, and if he does get loose upfront he could prove very difficult to peg back.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Grand Stitch (14/1 bet365 – BOG)
