Wetherby Expert Eye: Course stats and three horses to back
The jumpers are in action at Wetherby on Thursday and we're sweet on the chances of three runners in particular.
We have three outright picks, all at decent odds, along with some useful course stats in the hope of putting you on a winner or two, while the Planet Sport Racing Live Centre is where you'll find the highly informative Wetherby race card.
Selections:
Glencassley (15.58 Wetherby)
Templebredin (16.33 Wetherby)
Freethinker (17.05 Wetherby)
Course characteristics
Left-handed oval, galloping with easy bends. Circuit 1m4f. A fair test for any horse but ideally suited to free-running, long-striding sorts
Top trainers with runners
Top jockeys with rides
His brother Harry unsurprisingly leads the jockeys' stats with 42 of his 133 rides (32%) here finding the winners' enclosure, with his strike rate jumping to 43% (15-35) in the current season.
15.58 Wetherby - Glencassley
Things haven't gone to plan for Charlie Longsdon's seven-year-old since winning back-to-back novices last year, including a race here last October on good ground, but his more recent efforts have hinted at a return to winning form and this 2m5f handicap hurdle looks a suitable opportunity.
All that suggests he's capable of winning off his current mark of 116 and at a track where he is 2-2 - he also won a bumper here in March 2020 - he must go close for his in-form yard under Sean Bowen.
Glencassley wins the last at Wetherby under Aidan Coleman - the last race in the UK for at least 6 weeks
— Sun Racing (@SunRacing) March 17, 2020
Until we meet again... #staysafepic.twitter.com/43emi7OWRT
16.33 Wetherby - Templebredin
17.05 Wetherby - Freethinker (nap)
FREETHINKER makes the long trip up to @NewcastleRaces was worth it as Freethinker jumped and travelled well to gallop all the way to the line under Lilly Pinchin! 🥇
— Charlie Longsdon (@CharlieLongsdon) February 1, 2022
A massive congratulations to his extremely patient owners the “Freethinkers” who have finally been rewarded! pic.twitter.com/CmCW3ZO64o