Etxalar looks excellent value at 11/1
Lucinda Russell has her horses in fine form and Etxalar looks each-way value at 11/1 to land the 2.40 at Carlisle for the second successive year.
The leading Scottish handler is bidding to win the race for the fourth year on the bounce, and Etxalar is only 2lb higher than when scoring last year.
Held up in midfield that day, he made good headway two from home before leading on the run-in and battling on gamely to beat Minster shadow by two lengths.
Although he failed to score in fourth subsequent outings he was far from disgraced on his final start when third of 9 to Dom d’Orgeval at Hyadock off a mark of 125 and starts this campaign off 3lb lower.
That makes him look fairly treated, but more significant is the fact that he runs really well fresh.
All his three wins under rules (disqualified after taking wrong course when winning over hurdles) have come after a lengthy lay offs of 384, 194 and 260 days.
That suggest that first time up today could be the time to catch him, and given that he is fairly treated on last year’s win in this he looks terrific value at 11/1 with Paddy Power and makes plenty of each-way appeal.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts each-way Etxalar (11/1 Paddy Power – BOG)
O Crotaigh worth chancing at 20/1
O Crotaigh is potentially well treated on the pick of his Irish form and looks worth chancing at 20/1 in the 3.50 at Carlisle.
Although he has yet to win under rules and disappointed on his first start over fences for Chris Grant he switches back to hurdles this afternoon and off 95 would go very close at his best.
The seven-year-old looked sure to win races when chasing home the useful Slievardagh in a maiden hurdle at Wexford back in 2009, and that one is now rated over 130 in this sphere.
He also finished a good third to Quietly Fancied a month later and his fourth of 18 to Benalama in a handicap hurdle at Navan off a mark of 98 reads well in the context of this contest.
It is slightly disappointing that he has so far failed to get his head in front, but he didn’t run too badly two starts ago when 7th of 15 to Mr Bones and Tramore and it’s interesting that his new connections are switching him back to the smaller obstacles.
He was sent off at just 9/2 on his debut for the Grant team in a handicap chase at Hexham over 3m 1f and raced up with the pace before being headed three out and weakening badly.
He looked very ring rusty and in need of the outing that day, and the drop back to 2m 4f this afternoon could see him put in a far better showing.
There is no doubt that at his best he would be competitive in this off his current mark, and in a ide open contest he looks worth a small each-way play at 20/1.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 1pt each-way O Crotaigh (20/1 generally available – BOG firms)