4th November 2012

After an enjoyable couple of days with the Breeders Cup, we can now firmly focus on the national hunt season for the time being and today's cards provide a few nice betting opportunities. Yesterday was one of those days where the selections were very close to being very good. Two out of the 6 won, there was a decent each way third, a faller who looked set to be involved at the finish also at a big price, and a second place just going down to a better horse. Here are today's picks to score some more winners.

13.15 Huntingdon ***UPDATE - NON RUNNER***

Many will be drawn here to the current favourite Hildsivini after his successful course and distance debut over fences. He looked very good that day, going away towards the end from Well Regarded who reopposes, and although he is the form horse in the race, the 7 pound penalty he has to carry means he isn't clear enough from his rivals for me to discard them. His trainer also commented he won despite the conditions that day, preferring further and softer ground, so I'm sure today he is going to repeat tactics and try to make all to land this. Well Regarded has a chance with the weight allowance but I think placings will be confirmed. However I will take him on with ATTAGLANCE who conversely disappointed on his fences debut and was pulled up. We can excuse that run for the heavy ground, and back in favoured conditions he has a chance of being involved here. He was better than the favourite over hurdles, so with a good round of jumping the 7 pounds he receives should be telling. Wayward Frolic is arguably a touch overpriced on the exchanges as he has won twice in four starts in point-to-point and clearly has the ability to impact this area. 9/2 Sportingbet

13.40 Cork

Rule The World was impressive when winning last time over an inappropriate trip, however he was up against much inferior opposition and won't have it all his own way today. At his short price he looks a bit skinny against some of these including Cnoc Na Sioga, a winner last time out against the latest recruit to the Potts/Bromhead team, Sizing Italy. There are some other decent 3 mile hurdlers in this event with Love Rory likely not to be too far away and consequently the same can apply to Dushrembrandt. However the one I'm going to side with is OUR VINNIE. Tipped on here last time it raced, the gamble was nearly landed as he went down by a head to According To Trev at Cheltenham. His trainer trained the second behind Rule The World a fortnight ago so has some idea what his opponent is like, but he beat a few established horses that day at Cheltenham and clearly rates a good prospect. He may get beaten, as he's never raced in quick succession before, and the Morris horse is clearly going to be fresh, but his entry suggests he'll be fit for this and he is taken to repay the faith. 7/2 several

14.40 Carlisle

A cracking little 4 race contest where all of the horses are in with a chance. Mr Moonshine won the race last year and will attempt to make all again but he doesn't appear to handle the conditions he is likely to receive today and he is overlooked carrying top weight. Railway Dillon won well last time out and will enjoy the conditions today, but arguably wants further than this and even though the going is heavy, may not be as suited to this intermediary distance as much as the other horses. Rival D'estruval is a course and distance winner on heavy ground and receives weight from all his rivals today, but in BOLD SIR BRIAN he faces a horse who has already shown some really good signs over fences and will not be inconvenienced by conditions today either. His trainer is in excellent form too, winning her past 3 races, so she knows how to prep a horse for its debut and he rates the value bet here. 11/4 Ladbrokes, Bet365

15.20 Cork

He may have to carry a penalty, but BAILY GREEN looks set to continue his remarkable run and win here again. This is another good 4 runner contest, but similar to the race at Carlisle a couple can be discounted. Market leader Sea Of Thunder will have to cope again with softer conditions which are not his optimum and swing this race in favour of the other horses. Laganbank will certainly deal with them but has already been beaten by the selection on ground that wouldn't have suited Mouse Morris' horse and he is taken to confirm those placings. The main threat will be Tofino Bay, who although least experienced over fences, was a very good hurdler and looks likely to make an impact in this sphere. However experience and grit may be important in this contest towards the finish and as a result the selection is prefered. 11/4 Stan James

Good luck!

The Horse Whisperer