Hereford best bet: Gaius fancied to challenge for places behind firm favourite
Hereford abandoned
Thirteen runners line up for this two-mile novices’ hurdle, sponsored by our partners at PlanetSportBet, but if the bookies have their numbers right, then we’re in for a three-horse race at best.
15:50 Hereford: Play Beat Sav at PlanetSportBet Novices’ Hurdle (2 miles 53 yards)
The runaway market leader is Fiveonefive, who bookended a runner-up spot with wins at Tipperary and Cartmel in the summer, and then franked that form when coming third of 10 in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las three weeks ago.
The bookmakers see Nicky Henderson’s Johnny Blue as the only realistic threat to the favourite after winning on his only start in a minor bumper at Worcester in June, although Omaha Wish looks nicely treated under Harry Skelton to follow up a close-up third at Bangor a month ago.
Planet Sport Bet: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if Fiveonefive wins by more than 5 lengths, get a £5 Free Bet!
The top-heavy betting leaves all the other seven scheduled starters carrying a double-digit price, which opens the door for potential each-way value should any of the three principals falter.
Head of that particular market is the Olly Murphy-trained Gaius, who has put in some decent performances during a largely fruitful summer campaign.
Kicking off with a couple of runner-up spots at Aintree and Market Rasen, his promise was fulfilled when he left the closest of nine rivals five lengths behind him to land a two-mile maiden at Worcester in June.
He returned there to finish a close-up second again in August, while he was a well-held sixth of 16 when last seen at the same course on handicap debut 38 days ago.
He might have his work cut out under a high mark in this novice company here, but his chances should be boosted by the seven-pound claim of jockey Dylan Johnston.
Olly Murphy’s runners appear to be in tip-top shape, with the trainer saddling four winners from his last dozen efforts, and it is perhaps significant that Gaius is one of only two runners to be sent out from that stable today (the other running on the flat at Wolverhampton later).
Suggested bet: Gaius each-way in the 15:50 at Hereford
- Tip advised by BigOddsValue on Tipstrr
READ MORE: Hereford racing tips: Best bets for Monday November 6
