The big betting race of the day is the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham (2.35) and Tullamore Dew looks overpriced at 22/1.
Nick Gifford’s gelding was a very useful novice last season, and after chasing home Medermit at Plumpton went on to run an absolute cracker when third to Divers in the Centenary Novices Chase here at the Festival.
He stayed on really well that day to get to within 4 3/4 lengths of the winner, and is 7lb better off with Quatiativeeasing who finished just two lengths in front of him in second.
Although he is racing off a 5lb higher mark today and forced to race from 4lb out of the weights he remains open to further improvement and has run all his best races at this track.
The gelding was also a massive eye-catcher when fifth of 18 to Arthurian Legend over hurdles on his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow.
He was well behind for much of the race and made a mistake four out before keeping on really well under tender handling to be beaten 9 1/2 lengths.
The nine-year-old finished just one place behind one of the leading fancies for this in the shape of The Giant Bolster, and was only beaten 1 1/2 lengths by David Bridgewater’s charge to whom he was trying to concede 2lb.
He meets that rival on 4lb better terms today yet can be backed at almost twice the odds.
To my eyes he ran with just as much promise as that rival, and the run will have put him spot on for this.
One slight concern I had was that the ground may have been too quick for him today, but the rain overnight means that the going is now good-to-soft and that should be ideal for him.
I think that he may have sneaked under the bookies radar a bit, and with some paying 1/4 odds 1,2,3,4,5 he looks overpriced at 22/1 and worth an each-way punt.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Tullamore Dew (22/1 bet365 – BOG, 1/4 odds 1,2,3,4,5)
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