Dick Doughtywylie has plenty going for him in the Coral Easter Classic at Lingfield today (5.20), and looks decent value to land the most valuable race on the card for in-form trainer John Gosden.
John Gosden’s charge is a useful sort who has won five of his 17 starts and been placed seven occasions.
The last of those successes came over course and distance on his penultimate start where he ran on gamely to beat stable companion Gatewood by 1/2 a length in a Listed contest.
The six-year-old than backed that up with an excellent fourth of 14 to Robin Hood’s Bay in the Group 3 Winter Derby last month, again over course and distance, where he weakened late on to be beaten just 2 3/4 lengths.
That was his first run for 91 days and he had the favourite for this Grandeur a further 2 3/4 lengths behind him in sixth.
Given that he is entitled to come on for that outing, I would fully expect him to confirm the form with that rival.
He also has every chance in my book of turning the tables on Aussie Reigns, who finished just a length in front of him in third but came into the contest with a fitness advantage and is unlikely to improve as much.
The selection’s handler is also in red-hot form and has a strike rate of nearly 27% with his runners at the venue in the past 12 months, and despite his age, Dick Doughtywylie remains relatively unexposed on the all-weather surface having had just four runs on it – winning once and finishing placed on two occasions.
With bet365 and Betfred ooffering enhanced place terms of 1/4 the odds 1,2,3, he rates a solid each-way punt.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts each-way Dick Doughtywylie (8/1 bet365, Betfred – BOG, enhanced place terms 1/4 odds 1,2,3)