Horse Racing Tips: 26th November 2016

13:55 Doncaster – Crosspark @ 12/1 (each-way)

The 13:55 at Doncaster looks like a tricky little affair, although one that appears to be overpriced in the early betting is Caroline Bailey’s Crosspark.

The six-year-old has run with plenty of credit on his two starts over fences so far and, on this form alone, has to have a chance in this contest. Having won first time out as a hurdler around this time last season, this lightly raced gelding showed minor promise in his three races over timber that followed. However, in reappearing over fences for the first time back in May, he showed himself in a completely different light when winning a Class 3 novice chase at Southwell in commanding fashion.

The form of that May win looks decent with three of his victims going on to win since, while he once again put in a solid performance when reappearing after a 186 day break at Uttoxeter two weeks ago.

In a 13 runner event, one that looks just as strong as today’s race in terms of quality, he ran well to finish second after both travelling and jumping well throughout. This piece of form looks decent but, on the basis that this was his first run in just over half a year, it would be fair to assume that he should be fitter for it and can do better still.

In terms of opposition, there’s plenty of question marks surrounding the majority of this field – such is the nature of novice events. With this in mind though, the market for this race seems to have been formed largely around expected improvement and thus Crosspark, who boasts some solid looking form, seems to have been overlooked a bit.

Overall, there’s plenty to like about Crosspark and, at odds of 12/1, he appeals as a very nice each-way bet in this race.

14:20 Newcastle – Seldom Inn @ 11/4 

Seldom Inn has made a pleasing start to his career over fences and looks to have been found another good opportunity here.

Having proven himself to be a decent handicap hurdler, especially when winning around this course, this eight-year-old shaped as though he could be even better over fences when finishing a close 2nd in two novice chases around this time last year. Such suspicions were confirmed this season when he reappeared to comfortably win a Class 4 event at Kelso, before finishing not too far behind a 146 rated rival last time out – a horse who, on ratings at least – is a fair bit better than anything that he’ll encounter in this race.

The race last time out may have been against just the one rival but that one rival is a decent performer – one who ran in last season’s Grand National – so this form has to be taken seriously.

In terms of quality, although there are a couple who could prove to be decent chasers, this doesn’t look a strong race and a repeat of the good form he’s already shown should see Seldom Inn go very close.

It’s a little bit surprising that the selection isn’t the outright favourite at a shorter price, although he may well be by the time they race, and, with this in mind, at odds of 11/4, he’s well worth a bet to continue his strong form and land a second victory over fences.

15:05 Doncaster – Byron Flyer @ 9/1 (each-way)

In the 15:05, Byron Flyer for trainer Ian Williams is another who looks to have been somewhat overlooked in the betting. The five-year-old was four times a winner last season and, if capable of repeating some of that form, he looks to have a solid chance here.

Not only did the gelding win four times last season, he currently boasts a career strike rate of 50% over timber and has shown himself to be a solid competitor on a number of occasions.

Last season he went on a winning run towards the end of the campaign that culminated in Class 2 success at Worcester – form that really should put him at the head of affairs here. That day he beat a number of horses rated in the high 130’s and low 140’s – opposition ratings that won’t be encountered in this race.

Admittedly the form shown since that impressive win at Worcester hasn’t been the best and this has clearly been factored into his early price; however, it’s probably not entirely fair to judge him on that. His last event of the 15/16 season saw him run no sort of race in what was a stronger contest than today’s, while his two runs since reappearing this season don’t exactly tell us much. He warmed up by running on the flat at the back end of September, before never really going in a Grade 3 event at Chepstow in early October.

Despite obviously running well below par on his only run over hurdles this season, this is a weaker event and if he can re-find some of last season’s strong form then he’d surely have to run a decent race here at a nice price. After all, this gelding has proven himself in better contests than this and is worth siding with in the hope that he’s back at it.

15:45 Newbury – Fou Et Sage @ 7/1 (each-way)

French Import Fou Et Sage is a bit of an unknown quantity over fences but Henry Whittington’s new recruit turned in a nice performance on his first run for this yard last time out and looks as though he could go well.

The five-year-old was rated as a decent hurdler back in France and although he failed to produce the goods at any point over timber in Britain, the way in which he shaped over fences at Wetherby last time out suggests that he could be a smart chaser. In a Class 3 event over just shy of two miles he went well, tracking the winner and staying on nicely to take 2nd place. Considering this was the gelding’s first run for his new yard and only his second of the season – the first being a listed event in France where he managed to take 2nd place over further – it was a solid effort. It wouldn’t be ridiculous to think that he could easily come on from that performance and if there is any improvement to come then he could well be a force to be reckoned with in this race.

Given that Fou Et Sage’s best form came on soft ground in France, the forecast softer ground looks a plus, while the extra distance, slight as it may be, should also be in his favour.

In truth this is an open contest but, at the same time, it’s a very winnable one. If Whittington’s runner can build on a promising debut for his new yard then he ought to be there or thereabouts and, at decent odds, is worth a go.

See all of Saturday’s tips here.