6/1 Dune ready to deliver
Dark Dune is back down to his last winning mark and makes plenty of appeal at 6/1 in the 3.10 at Wolverhampton today.
Tim Easterby’s gelding scored in good style under top weight at Haydock back in July off 69 and shaped as if ready to go in again when an unlucky fourth at this venue last time out.
Held up at the rear of the field that day he was making good headway when badly hampered to from home and after being forced to switch to get a run stayed on well to finish a never nearer four length fourth to Alshazah.
Granted a clear passage I think he would have gone close to winning, and off the same mark today he looks to have an outstanding chance of gaining compensation.
The three-year-old is now on the same mark as he was when successful at Haydock and his astute handler has a strike rate of just over 21% with his runners at the track over the past 12 months.
He also has a good draw in stall 1 and everything looks in place for a huge run.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts win Dark Dune (6/1 Hills, Paddy Power. Ladbrokes – BOG)
Methaaly looks magic at 8s
Methaaly was a real eye-catcher last time out and looks good value at 8/1 to take advantage of a lenient handicap mark in the 4.40 at Wolverhampton.
Mike Mullineaux’s gelding fluffed the start here 10 days ago but after finding himself in an uncompromising position way off the pace stayed on really well when switched wide to deliver his challenge to finish a never nearer 1 1/2 lengths third to Rydane.
He was not knocked about at all by 10lb claimer Noel Garbutt, and given a more forceful ride he would have gone close to winning the sic furlong contest.
The eight-year-old had also caught the eye on his previous start when again finishing well from off the pace to finish a 2 1/2 length 5th of 13 to Caledonia Princess over 6f here.
After dwelling at the start he made good headway a furlong from home and ran on strongly from an uncompromising position.
Both those efforts came off a rating of 70, and he races off the same mark today having last been successful at this track off a mark of 75 last December.
There is no doubt that he is handicapped to go in again if getting the breaks, and with Jimmy Quinn partnering him this afternoon he is sure to get maximum assistance from the saddle.
The slight step up in trip to 7f could also be in his favour at this time of his career, and at 8/1 he looks a solid each-way punt.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Methaaly (8/1 generally available – use BOG firms)
Skier too big at 16/1
Downhill Skier shaped really well last time out and having been given a chance by the handicapper looks way overpriced at 16/1 in the 5.10 at Wolverhampton.
Mark Brisbourne’s gelding has enjoyed a productive year, winning four times in all – including two at this track
His last win came at Thirsk back in September off a mark of 66 and he is now just 1lb higher.
That gives him every chance from a handicapping perspective and he looked as if he could be ready to take advantage when an eye-catching fifth of 11 to Glenridding over course and distance last time out.
Held-up in mid division he made good headway to throw down a challenge a furlong from home before being unable to find any extra at the business end of affairs.
Although eventually beaten four lengths he ran far better than his finishing position suggests and the assessor has taken a chance by dropping him a pound to a mark from which he can really operate.
With his young rider (who partnered him to good effect last time) taking off an invaluable 7lb he is weighted to play a major role in this if building on his latest effort and given hsi excellent course record there is no way in my book that he should be as big as 16s.
Daily Sport recommended bet; 2pts each-way Downhill Skier (16/1 generally available – use BOG firms)
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