Saturday 2nd December 2017

Really good racing today up and down the country. The Ladbrokes Trophy “Hennessey” is the feature race of the day. Not far behind it is the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle where Champion Hurdle winner, Buveur D’Air makes his seasonal debut. For what it’s worth, the 4-1 available on him for the Champion Hurdle looks a EW bet to nothing. He can’t beat out of the three if turning up.

Starting with the big race, it looks significant Harry Fry hasn’t ran American yet this season. You can only presume connections must think American is well handicapped and didn’t risk going up the weights beforehand. American looks to have been targeted for this race for some time and warrants plenty of respect. At bigger prices, Label Des Obeaux 33-1 & Cogry 16-1 should both give you a run for your money. Those two horses and American would be my three against the field in what looks a very strong race. Do shop around when placing any bets in this race, some bookies are paying a fantastic 7 places and the majority 5.

Also at Newbury, High Bridge in the 2:25 should have every chance. His 3rd place on seasonal debut has worked out well. He's the worthy favourite for the race. It could be a good day for trainer Ben Pauling. Marten looked a classy type when winning in style last time out. He should have every chance in the 2:40 at Bangor.

Moving over to Newcastle, the Juvenile hurdle at 11:55 might have a Triumph hurdle contender running. I’ll be interested to see how Look My Way runs.

I was asked to find a nice young horse at the recent Newmarket sales and was the under bidder at 65,000gns on Look My Way. He was sold for 70,000gns. Look My Way has a nice profile for National Hunt racing but wasn’t the biggest. He’ll love the soft ground this afternoon and it will be interesting to see how he gets on. Act Of Valour will be a big danger, he's a mid 90 rated flat horse. This could be a very good juvenile race.

Staying at Newcastle in the 3:20, Bishops Road “5-1 EW” could be thrown in. Fourth in this race last year behind far better horses and running off 10lbs lower, Bishop Road should go close if fit and ready.

At Wolverhampton this evening in the 6:15. I’m told, Moqarrab has improved a tonne for his debut run and is expected to go very close. Priced at 7-4.