Make a move for 8/1 Micky P
Micky P has become very well handicapped and looks solid value at 8/1 to take advantage in the 3.00 at Leicester.
Stuart Williams’ gelding was successful twice last season, with his last win at Epsom over 6f coming off a mark of 66.
He started this campaign on a mark of 67 and was far from disgraced on his seasonal debut when a running on never nearer fifth of 12 to Kylladie over six at Kempton.
However he failed to build on that promise in his next two starts, before putting in an eye-catching run last time out when heavily backed into favouritism.
That run came over 6f at Lingfield, where after being held up in mid division he ran on late after getting outpaced a furlong from home to finish 7th of 11 to Highland Harvest.
He was only beaten 1 1/2 lengths at the line, and the way he ran gave the distinct impression that today’s 7f journey would be ideal.
The fact that he was heavily punted suggested that connections believe he is now handicapped to strike again, and the assessor has dropped him another 1lb since Lingfield to a mark of 62.
That gives him a huge chance from a handicapping perspective and given his shrewd connections it will be interesting to see if the money comes again for him this afternoon.
I think it will and expect him to take all the beating, and at 8/1 he looks a cracking each-way punt.
Recommended bet: 2pts each-way Micky P (8/1 bet365 – BOG)
13/2 Hot Spice looks a tasty bet
Hot Spice has been a costly failure on his last two starts, but looks worth a punt at 13/2 to make amends in the 3.30 at Leicester.
John Dunlop’s charge had looked a handicapper to keep on the right side when opening his account at Haydock in June, and was heavily backed into 7-4 favourite to follow-up at Pontefract.
But the gelding was never put into the race at any stage by Philip Makin despite seemingly travelling well, and after being held up well off the pace got repeatedly hampered before staying on late to finish a never nearer 8th of 15 to betteras Bertie.
He was again well supported on his latest start in a 1m 2f contest at Newmarket, where after racing keenly he got outpaced two from home before staying on late to finish a never nearer 4 3/4 length fifth of 13 to Cheddar George.
To me he shaped as if he was crying out for some extra yardage, and today’s extra furlong should be right up his street.
If he can settle better than he did at headquarters, then there is no doubt in my mind that he is more than capable of scoring off his current mark of 67.
He is only 3lb higher than when creating such a good impression at Haydock where he scored with far more in hand than the winning margin of a length suggests, and is definitely worth another chance to bounce back to winning ways.
Recommended bet: 2pts each-way Hot Spice (13/2 Hills – BOG, Sky Bet)