Tagula looks tasty at 3s
Alan Bailey’s Imprimis Tagula takes a huge drop in class on his return to action in the 1.50 Southwell and at 3/1 rates a solid bet.
The eight-year-old had a poor 2011 apart from one run when a good fourth to Toby Tyler at Hamilton, but won twice in 2010 and is at his best on the all-weather.
Indeed he has registered two wins from four runs over today’s course and distance and clearly relishes the unique fibresand surface.
Although not getting any younger, the gelding is now dropped into selling company and that should enable him to be really competitive if ready to roll after 151 days on the sidelines.
His handler is more than adept at getting on ready to do the business, and with Natasha Eaton – who gets on well with him – taking a further 7lb of his back everything looks in place for a massive run.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts win Imprimis Tagula (3/1 generally available – use BOG firms)
8/1 Tiger ready to roar
Valley Tiger has slipped back down the weights and looks worth chancing at 8/1 in the 3.20 Southwell.
The gelding took advantage of career-low mark of 54 when scoring at Wolverhampton in October on his final start for William Muir.
Held up that day he made smooth headway on the bit two from home before being ridden to take up the running inside the last and keeping on well to beat Princess Gail by 1 1/2 lengths – winning with more in hand than the official margin suggests,
He was hit with a 5lb rise for that success, and it’s fair to say that since being moved to Richard Fahey he has failed to sparkle in three subsequent starts.
However the assessor has now cut him a bit of slack by dropping him to a mark of 57, and I am sure that his handler will find the key to getting him back in the winners’ enclosure sooner rather than later.
To me he looks the type who will bounce back, and he has proved that he acts on the fibresand surface by finishing third here in the past.
with Paul Hanagan in the saddle he holds every chance in a wide open contest where nothing has outstanding credentials, and at 8/1 looks a bit of value.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Valley Tiger (8/1 bet365, Hills – BOG)
