Bang into 7/1 Drum
Drumbaloo scored with ease on his first start for Evan Williams and looks cracking value at 7/1 to follow up in the 1.25 at Sandown today.
The gelding was very highly thought of when trained in Ireland and landing three bumpers for John Lambe, and was sent off just 8/1 for the Champion Bumper won by Cue Card.
However he failed to live up to expectations in his first season over hurdles, managing just one win in soft going at Ayr.
That win is nothing to write home about, but he looked a vastly improved performer when sluicing up by 3 1/2 lengths on his debut for Williams in a decent handicap hurdle at Chepstow back in October.
Held up at the rear of the field, the seven-year-old travelled well throughout and made steady headway to lead at the last and quicken clear to beat Express Leader by jus under four lengths.
Although the handicapper has hit him with an 8lb rise for that win, he scored with far more in hand than the winning margin suggests and I am convinced that there is plenty more to come from him.
His ability to handle testing going is another major plus, and from the foot of the weights I find it impossible to see him not being in the frame at the very least.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts each-way Drumbaloo (7/1 generally available – use BOG firms)
7/1 Madison too well treated to ignore
Madison Du Berlais shaped with promise on his comeback run and looks too well treated to ignore at 7/1 in the 3.40 at Sandown today.
David Pipe’s gelding was disappointing last season but is down to a mark of just 140 as a result and a whopping 29lbs below his last win.
That came in the Grade 1 totesport Bowl at Aintree back in 2009 where he beat the ill-fated Exotic Dancer to cap a fantastic season which saw him land the Hennessy before going on to beat Denman by 23 lengths in a Grade 2 contest at Kempton.
Although he is getting no younger at the age of 10 and needs to put last season behind him, there is little doubt that the handicapper has given him a huge chance of being competitive at this level and bouncing back if he still maintains his enthusiasm for the game.
It’s also interesting that he has undergone a wind operation, and if it was breathing problems that held him back last year then he could be a different proposition this time round.
He certainly looked as if he had another race or two in him when sixth behind The Minack at Wincanton last month, travelling well for much of the journey before being outpaced and plugging on at the one pace.
Although well beaten he looked in need of the race and was not knocked about once it was clear he would not be winning.
I am sure that his shrewd connections would not have kept him in training of they believed he was not still capable of winning at this level, and with Connor O’Farrell taking another 3lb of his back I think he will take all the beating under his ideal conditions.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts win Madison Du Berlais (7/1 Paddy Power – BOG, Coral, Sportingbet)
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