Trop Fort looks terrific at 9’s
Trop Fort has always been highly regarded and looks good value at 9/1 in the 3.40 at Chepstow.
The five-year-old won both starts in French provincial bumpers for Emmanuel Clayeux and was considered a Triumph Hurdle horse when joining David Pipe.
He was sent of a well backed favourite to land a competitive maiden hurdle at Taunton on his debut in this country and was in the process of running a big race when coming to grief at the last.
Whether he would have beaten the eventually winner Brampour is questionable, but he was rallying well after leading for much of the race and it was a highly promising effort.
The gelding was then pitched into the deep end in the Triumph at the Cheltenham Festival but after a blunder at the first could never get competitive and trailed in 20th of 23 behind Zarkandar.
To me he was not mature enough to do himself justice last season, and if he has strengthened up as expected he could be a different proposition this time round.
He certainly has the potential to be more than useful, and he looks a horse to follow this season.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way trop Fort (9/1 generally available – BOG)
Help yourself to the 14’s about Hyde
Mister Hyde looks the type to do well in handicaps this season and makes plenty of each-way appeal at 14/1 in the 4.15 at Chepstow
Jonjo O’Neill’s charge ran very well to be sixth to World Hurdle runner-up Grands Crus in a strong handicap at Cheltenham last November before landing a gamble at Plumpton.
He was then unsuited by the way the race was run when finishing eighth of 20 to Kilcrea Kim in a hot handicap at Sandown, and the fact that he was sent off 7-2 favourite shows that far better was expected.
The six-year-old was still travelling Ok when brought down in the Martin Pipe Conditional at the Cheltenham Festival, and starts the season on what looks a workable mark of 128.
That rating is only 3lb higher than his excellent run behind Grands Crus and gives him every chance from a handicapping perspective if ready to roll at the first time of asking.
With conditions ideal i can see him running a huge race in the hands of the very talented Richie McLernon, and the 14s available looks to big.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Mister Hyde (14-1 Ladbrokes – BOG, Coral, Sky Bet)
