The interestingly-named GOSHHOWPOSH has two ways of running: very well and very badly. He’s clearly talented and two of his four runs this season ended in victories at Exeter and Wincanton respectively.
However, in his other two runs he unseated his rider at the last hurdle when having no chance of winning at Haydock and then he was pulled up in his most recent run at Exeter when 6-4 favourite.
Backing horses like Goshhowposh can be infuriating for punters: it’s too easy to put money on them when they run badly and then it’s frustrating to watch them trot up next time out without a penny of your hard-earned on the horse.
I have what could be the best antepost bet of the season
I am hoping Goshhowposh will be on a going day tomorrow at Haydock when he contests the New Racing TV App Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Final (2.40 p.m.).
My sources on the gallops in Somerset tell me that Philip Hobbs and Johnson White’s seven-year-old gelding was in sparkling form in the run-up to the Cheltenham Festival earlier this month. In fact, he was fancied to go well in the ultra-competitive Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle, only to miss the cut for the race.
Tomorrow’s Haydock contest should be considerably easier to win than a Festival handicap but he still faces 12 rivals for a first prize of more than £25,000. Back him each way at 13-2 with bet365, BetVictor or Betfred, all paying four places.
As regular readers will know, I love the veterans’ contests for these old warriors – ten years old or above – that we have seen strutting strut their stuff on racecourses for year upon year, up to a decade no less in rare cases.
Tomorrow I hope that RIDERS ONTHE STORM can recapture approaching his best form in the Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Handicap Chase Finale (Haydock, 3.15 p.m.). This gelding, now 11, was a top-notch performer for Nigel Twiston-Davies four years ago when rated 162, before losing his way.
Now with Richard Hobson’s Gloucestershire yard, the horse showed plenty of promise behind Homme Public at Doncaster last time out over a trip short of his best.
Gavin Sheehan, today’s jockey, gets a good tune out of the horse too so he has plenty in his favour off an official mark of just 130. Back Riders Onthe Storm each way at 5-1 with bet365 or William Hill, both playing three places.
Last but not least, I have what could be the best antepost bet of the season even though the horse is highly likely to be a non-runner in the race in question. There is actually some method behind the apparent madness, so bear with me.
Unusually, the BoyleSports Irish Grand National on Easter Monday looks like being run on very heavy ground. That’s bad news for one of my ante-post tips, Desertmore House, who has been aimed at this race for months. Sadly, I now expect him to be a non-runner in three days’ time – as I pointed out in my column a week ago, he does not want bottomless ground.
However, I noticed at last week’s latest declaration stage for the Randox Grand National that Desertmore House was left in the Aintree race on April 13 by his shrewd handler, Martin Brassil. Even at this late stage, connections still need some seven horses to come out to make the cut for the race which is now restricted to a maximum field of 34 for the first time.
But, and it’s a big but, several bookmakers are now offering NRNB (Non Runner No Bet) on the Aintree race – and odds of 50-1 on the horse. If Desertmore House happens to sneak into the field (unlikely but not impossible), he would be half those odds or less so. In fact, he could easily go off at around 16-1 if he lines up. If he does happen to run in the Irish Grand National after all or not make the cut for Aintree, then the full stake is returned in two weeks’ time.
So this really is a no brainer. The recommendation is to back DESERTMORE HOUSE each way at 50-1 for Aintree with bet365, SkyBet, William Hill or Betfred, all paying five places. Whatever happens, do not bet with a bookie that does not offer the NRNB concession for the race, otherwise in all probability you will lose your stake.
Pending:
1point each way Goshhowposh at 13/2 for the New Racing TV App Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Final, 1/5th odds, 4 places.
1point each way Riders Onthe Storm at 5-1 for the Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Handicap Chase Finale, 1/5th odds, 3 places.
1 point each way Desertmore House at 12-1 for the Irish Grand National, ¼ odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Any Second Now at 20-1 for the Irish Grand National, ¼ odds, 4 places.
1 point each way Your Darling at 16-1 for the Topham Chase, 1/5th odds, 5 places.
1 point each way Mahler Mission at 20-1 for the Randox Grand National, 1/5th odds, 5 places.
1 point each way Vanillier at 16-1 for the Randox Grand National, 1/5th odds, 5 places.
1 point each way Panda Boy at 40-1 for the Randox Grand National, 1/5th odds, 5 places.
1 point each way Desertmore House at 50-1 NRNB for the Randox Grand National, 1/5th odds, 5 places.
There were no settle bets last weekend
2023-4 jump seasons to date: + 40.61 points.
2023 flat season: – 48.22 points on all tips.
2022-3 jumps season: + 54.3 points on all tips.
- My gambling record for the past eight years: I have made a profit in 14 of the past 16 seasons to recommended bets. To a 1 point level stake over this period, the overall profit of has been 475 points. All bets are either 1 point each way or 2 points win (a “point” is your chosen regular stake).
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