Hereford afternoon racing tips: Best bets for Wednesday, March 27

Let's kick things off with some details on our highlighted races at Hereford, and we've got a full list of selections at the bottom of the page.

Don't forget to check out the full racecard, results and live odds in Planet Sport's racing live centre.

Planet Sport Bet also have special offers running on all of Hereford's races.

Bet minimum £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if the qualifying terms are met, as detailed in the table at the bottom of the page, earn a £5 free bet for every £20+ cash bet, or a £20 free bet for every £100+ cash bet.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's first publication)

14:40 (Hereford) El Granjero

El Granjero can claim his first win under rules at the fifth time of asking in the Best Odds Guaranteed At PlanetSportBet ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle.

A point to point winner in Ireland, he has finished second on all three of his races over hurdles and was only headed close home at the same course last time out. He can break that sequence and go one better.

Elsewhere, it’s hard to make a case for any of the seven runners priced at 40/1+, although the booking of Charlie Deutsch increases the each-way value of My Monty at a still tasty 14/1. 

The James Evans-trained gelding had shown some promise when finishing third of nine over a longer trip at this venue in January before coming a more distant seventh of 13 in the same race as El Granjero over this course and distance 18 days ago.

He would need to bounce back from that performance and hope that at least one of the principals falter, but Deutsch’s presence is interesting and could help the seven-year-old defy his hefty odds.

15:10 (Hereford) Flash Gorcombe

The early-morning withdrawal of three horses included the strongly-fancied Ferrybridge, which has squeezed the remaining six runners up in the betting to leave Flash Gorcombe and Famoso vying for the favourite tag in what could well turn into a two-horse race.

Both have shown impressive recent form, and over the last calendar year Robert Walford’s Flash Gorcombe has only once missed the frame in nine outings, the last five of which have yielded tasty figures of 32132.

The seven-year-old’s only visit to the winner’s enclosure came at Wincanton in his first outing of 2024, but it’s worth noting that all of those recent runs have come over longer distances, so it will be very interesting to see how he tackles this sharper two-mile trip, over which he enjoyed back-to-back wins on improving ground this time last year.

The reduced field has inevitably had a major impact on each-way terms as well as prices, but anyone looking for a candidate capable of splitting the market principals might be interested by Ali Stonge’s Ardmayle, who won this renewal last year, and defends his title off a two-pound lower mark this time around.

15:40 (Hereford) Fenney Brook

The early market support for Only Fools in the Download The Planetsportbet App Mares' Handicap Hurdle appears to be justified if David Pipe’s five-year-old can replicate the form that has landed two wins in her last four outings, including an impressive 11-length success in heavy conditions at Fontwell nine days ago.

However, arguably better value might be lurking a little lower in the betting in the shape of Fenney Brook, who was offloaded cheaply by Henry Daly’s yard last summer, but made a quick statement for new trainer Katy Price, winning on her stable debut over this course and distance in October.

A less eye-catching second outing at Ludlow can be forgiven in light of her third place, again over this very trip, when last seen in November, since when she has enjoyed a four-month winter break.

The eight-year-old has won twice before after extended breaks, including that yard debut success, so she could well hit the ground running again when fresh here, especially now reunited with in-form jockey Gavin Sheehan, who was also on board for that October victory.

Of those carrying potentially more lucrative double-digit odds, there’s been a buzz within the Tipstrr camp in favour of Citizen Jane, who was entitled to need her Taunton return to blow away some cobwebs in February, following six months off.

16:10 (Hereford) Cawthorne Banker

Cawthorne Banker ran with credit at Taunton when a decent fifth in a two maiden hurdle.

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained six-year-old can build on that effort and will be a serious player in the Read Harry Cobden's Blog At Planetsportbet Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

Tour Ovalie placed third at Plumpton over tow miles before a fair fourth in a 2m3f novices hurdle at Doncaster, so should be on the shortlist.

Orbys River went well at Huntingdon finishing second among similar company over two miles earlier this month and holds claims.

16:45 (Hereford) Family Pot

The bookies’ jury is clearly out as to where the winner might come from here, although the fact that top-weighted Grizzly James won here for Venetia Williams this time last year bodes well under returning winning jockey Charlie Deutsch.

A similar argument could be made for Amalfi Skyline who also scored over this course and distance on his penultimate outing in January, while School For Scandal shaped up well in first-time cheekpieces over this very trip six weeks ago, and should be in the mix if recent wind surgery has gone to plan.

In such a wide-open race it would be no surprise if one of the lesser-fancied candidates were to make an impact, and one to have caught the eye of a broad swathe of Tipstrr’s pundits is the Sheila Lewis-trained Family Pot.

The Lewis yard could hardly be called prolific in terms of producing winners, but this grey gelding enjoyed back-to-back successes at this venue a year ago, the second of which was over this very trip.

Sean Bowen rides for this yard for only the second ever time, which could be seen as him picking up as many rides as possible in his pursuit of the champion jockey title, or could be an astute booking that suits all parties to bring the best out of a useful chaser.
 

17:15 (Hereford) Rocking Man

Rocking Man maintains a promising profile with a debut success by five and a half lengths on heavy ground at Chepstow preceding a smart second in a 2m jumpers flat race at that same venue tackling the same going in December.

The Sam Thomas-trained five-year-old has a strong chance in the Get Emma's Offers At Planetsportbet Open National Hunt Flat Race.

Jurancon made a winning rules debut running 8L clear on testing ground at Chepstow before a good Newbury second in January and should be respected.

Hereford selections in full:

HEREFORD: 2.40 El Granjero, 3.10 Flash Gorcombe, 3.40 Fenney Brook, 4.10 Cawthorne Banker, 4.45 Family Pot, 5.15 Rocking Man.

Planet Sport Bet also have special offers running on all of Hereford's races.

Bet minimum £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if the qualifying terms are met, as detailed in the table below, earn a £5 free bet for every £20+ cash bet, or a £20 free bet for every £100+ cash bet