Wait For Me looks on a handy mark and makes plenty of each-way appeal at 14/1 in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury today (3.35)
Philip Hobbs’ trained gelding finished third to Moon Racer in the 2015 running of the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival and won two of his five starts over hurdles last season.
They included a success over course and distance where he easily beat the now 139-rated Potters Legend by seven lengths and he also ran well over CD when a 10 length runner-up to Buveur D’air who is the current ante post favourite for this year’s Champion Hurdle
Wait For Me also ran a blinder when fourth of 26 to Superb Story in the Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle at the Che;tenham Festival off a mark of 139.
He kept on well from off the pace to be beaten just 6 1/4 lengths in what is traditionally one of the hottest handicap hurdles of the season and is now able to race in this less competitive affair off 1lb lower.
It gives him major claims at the weights and Wait For Me comes into the contest having shaped better than the bare result suggest in two starts this season.
He particularly caught the eye in the last of those over 2m 1f at Cheltenham when a 3 1/4 length fifth of 14 to William Bonney, making a costly mistake three from home but still in front at the last until being unable to find any extra on the run-in and fading late on.
Judged on that effort the drop back down to 2m in this looks sure to suit and he now meets the winner on 5lb better terms.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Wait For Me (14/1 Stan James – BOG)