Friday 16th January 2025
12.40 Windsor: Thorn Plant Hire Novices’ Hurdle (Class 2)
Our first selection of the day on Friday comes within the 12.40 at Windsor, and this is a Class 2 novices’ hurdle that’s contested over three miles. The Olly Murphy-trained THEY CALL ME HUGO sets a very solid standard here at the top of the betting, under champion jockey Sean Bowen. He was a wide-margin winner of a point before opening his account under rules at the first time of asking at Ffos Las in November. He then took his form to the next level when finishing a head second of seven within Grade 2 company at Cheltenham in December, and if he takes another step forward following that run, he’ll be tough to beat here. He’s a major player and an exciting prospect to move forward with.
THEY CALL ME HUGO – 13/8 (Win) (NB)
1.50 Windsor: Fitzdares Your Personal Bookmaker Lightning Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1)
The best bet of the day comes within the 1.50 at Windsor, which is the Grade 2 Lightning Novices’ Chase over two miles. BE AWARE should take a lot of beating in this particular affair for the team of Dan & Harry Skelton. He was a four-length winner on chase debut in October, before running very well at Cheltenham when second behind July Flower with Grade 2 company. Most recently, he filled that same position behind Lulamba, in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown last month. He sets the standard form-wise, and there should be a lot more to come from him still.
BE AWARE – 6/5 (Win) (NAP)
2.40 Market Rasen: Unibet Alan Swinbank Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Listed Race) (Class 1)
Our third selection of the afternoon comes from Market Rasen, and within the 2.40, which is a Listed Mares’ National Hunt Flat Race over two miles and half of a furlong. It may be worth taking a chance on LADY LITIGATOR here for Anthony Honeyball and Ben Godfrey. She was impressive on her racecourse debut when getting the better of the reopposing Galaxy Star at Newbury last month. She rallied gamely on that occasion to get up on the line, giving the impression that there could be significant improvement following that effort. The pair pulled five lengths clear of the rest of the field on that occasion, and she could prove to be a useful mare for connections. She’s a reasonable price here, and well worth an each-way play.
LADY LITIGATOR – 6/1 (Each-Way)
6.45 Meydan: Vazirabad Handicap (Turf)
It’s over to Meydan on the flat for our fourth and final selection of the afternoon, and the 6.45, which is handicap action for horses rated between 85 and 105. The boys in blue could hold the key to this competitive-looking affair with ENDLESS VICTORY, who represents the team of Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He was progressive within competitive handicaps on UK shores over the last couple of seasons, and he likely needed the run here a couple of weeks ago, in what was his first outing since July last year. He still wasn’t disgraced on that occasion, finishing sixth of twelve, and he should be a lot more tuned up for this assignment. It would be disappointing if he wasn’t a lot closer at the business end of things this time around.
ENDLESS VICTORY – 9/2 (Each-Way)
