6/1 Hercules a strong fancy to score
Pillar Of Hercules has not won for a long time but takes a drop in class in the 1.55 at Huntingdon and makes plenty of appeal at 6/1 to score an overdue success.
Ferdy Muprhy’s gelding has not won since landing back to back victories in Ireland back in June 2008 when he was rated 103 and looked a decent prospect.
Although it’s fair to say that he hasn’t gone on as expected his run last November when second for Murphy to Alta Khan in a handicap hurdle at Musselburgh off a mark of 100 was a really solid effort and would give him outstanding chance of belatedly getting back into the winners’ enclosure this afternoon now dropped into claiming company for the first time.
He also didn’t shape too badly last time out when staying on to finish a never nearer 8th of 14 in a handicap at Kelso, and now that he is having his sights lowered he has to be of serious interest in today’s line-up.
the handicapper has also dropped him a pound to 99, and with his young rider taking off another 10lb he is absolutely chucked in at the weights if anywhere near his best.
At 6/1 he looks overpriced and an each-way steal.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts each-way Pillar Of Hercules (6/1 Coral, Sky Bet)
12/1 Foreign King can rule again
Foreign King is potentially very well treated now switched back to hurdling and looks cracking each-way value in the 3.35 at Huntingdon.
Mickey Hammond’s seven-year-old has often been let down by jumping over fences but put in his best effort for some time when winning 3m amateur handicap chase Ludlow last time out off a mark of 99.
That win showed he is clearly on good terms with himself at present, and now that he is having his attention switched to hurdles he is able to race of an 11lb lower mark.
With the useful Tom David, who partnered him to victory at Ludlow, taking off another 5lb he is effectively 16lb “well-in” over the smaller obstacles and too well treated to ignore.
The going and trip for him today are also ideal, and if he can run to the level he did last time out he must go close.
I had him priced up at no bigger than 8s, so at the 12/1 on offer with sportingbet he looks too big and definitely worth an each-way interest.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Foreign King (12/1 sportingbet)