Blackmail looks worth an each-way wager 25/1 in the 4.20 at Punchestown today.
Tony Martin’s nine-year-old scored twice over the smaller obstacles back in 2013 and was also a decent 10th of 25 to Aux Ptits Soins in the Coral Cup at the 2015 Cheltenham festival off a mark of 147.
Blackmail then spent a lengthy spell on the sidelines but showed that he retained plenty of ability on his second start over fences when an eye-catching fifth of 11 to Bleu et Rouge in a hot beginners’ chase at Leopardstown back in December.
He kept on nicely to beaten 7 1/2 lengths without being unduly knocked about and the form of the race has worked out well.
Gangster who finsihed second, has gone on to be placed twice in Grade 3 company to be rated 145, the third home Don’t Touch It scored next time up and and landed a valuable pot here yesterday off 144, and the fourth home Acapella Bourgeois has also gone on to taste success on two occasions – including when beating subsequnt Cheltenham Festival and Fairyhouse Gerade 1 scorer Road To Respect by 32 lengths in a grade 2 contest at Navan.
Given that Acapella Bourgeois is now rated 153 it makes Blackmail’s current rarting ofn 141 look exploitable and he has always come across as the type that has a big race in him.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Blackmail (25/1 BetVictor, Ladbrokes, Sky Bet – BOG)