Hereford racing tips: Best bets for Monday, January 29

There's seven races in a packed meeting and we have details on our seven selections before giving a full set of tips 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.

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

 

13:30 (Hereford) Below The Radar

When Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden team up at a Monday afternoon meeting with just a couple of rides, the chances are that both have serious claims, and Below The Radar certainly fits that team’s winning profile.

The runner-up in two point-to-point outings, this six-year-old opened his Rules career with a bumper debut success at  Chepstow in November, finishing comfortably clear of short-priced favourite San Frandisco, who went on to land the odds next time out at Haydock.

His main threat is likely to come from Monks Meadow, who is knocking on the door of a maiden victory after making the frame in each of his first three hurdling efforts, despite losing a shoe last time out at Ascot just before Christmas.

If none of the short-priced market leaders get the betting juices flowing, the three outsiders are all available at 33/1 or more, but maybe they are those odds for a reason.

More realistic each-way value can be found with Big John Wayne, who makes his hurdling debut after winning a point-to-point in October, and Mistral Blue, who is the only runner to have tasted victory over hurdles.

After a couple of outings last spring, Fergal O’Brien’s six-year-old mare was runner-up in her third bumper effort in November, and continued that progress with an emphatic 16-length win on her first attempt over obstacles last month. 

That Doncaster success was in admittedly weak company, but she accomplished her task at a canter, and under usual rider Connor Brace, there should be more to come as she is asked to step up in trip.

 

14:00 (Hereford) Bhaloo

Bhaloo can continue to make good progress by landing the second division of the Bet £10 Get £10 At Planetsportbet Novices’ Hurdle at Hereford on Monday.

A Market Rasen bumper winner for Fergal O’Brien last April, the gelding was switched to Nicky Henderson over the summer and has set about confirming that promise.

Two miles around Kempton predictably proved too tight in mid-November, but Bhaloo caught the eye making late headway to finish third behind Queens Gamble.

With more than three furlongs further to travel at Doncaster next time out, the son of Sageburg galloped on strongly to score in fine fashion.

Being from the same family as Midlands National hero Goonyella, another step up in trip here looks sure to suit.

 

14:30 (Hereford) Ardmayle

The three market leaders all carry realistic hopes of landing this eight-runner affair, with top-rated Guy likely to be sent off as favourite for the in-form Twiston-Davies yard.

This capable nine-year-old landed blows at Ludlow and Fontwell either side of his summer break, and while less impressive in four subsequent outings, he could be primed to bounce back as he drops below the mark at which he won on season debut in October.

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Wewillgowithplanb and Jupiter Du Gite should be there or thereabouts, but with all three market leaders hovering around the 3/1 mark, the value of each is questionable, and that has led a clutch of Tipstrr’s each-way specialists to venture down the betting where Ardmayle is lurking at a tasty price.

This Ali Stronge-trained veteran is lightly raced these days, but he made the most of his three outings as an 11-year-old last spring, backing up a Southwell win in February with a course-distance win here two months later, rallying well under his ageing legs to win by a neck.

He was given a pipe-opener over hurdles at Ascot just before Christmas, clearly needing the run on season debut after an eight-month absence, and was duly held up in the rear and treated gently once the race was beyond him.

Better things are expected now that he reverts to larger obstacles, and he could well punch above his favourable mark under in-form Ben Jones, whose 17 percent win rate (49 percent place rate) has produced over 50 units of profit against the market so far this season.

 

15:00 (Hereford) Black Hawk Eagle

Kerry Lee’s Black Hawk Eagle is on an upward curve and has solid claims in the Download The Planetsportbet App Handicap Hurdle.

He was a good servant for Noel Meade in Ireland, both on the Flat and over jumps, and has clearly retained his ability.

After being in need of the run on his British debut at Huntingdon in late November, the six-year-old travelled well when coming home in front at Wincanton on Boxing Day and there may yet be more improvement to come.

That form has taken a big boost as well, with runner-up Georgi Girl winning at Sandown on Friday by 19 lengths.

 

15:30 (Hereford) Henry's Friend

All of those are no strangers to the winners’ circle, with Supreme Gift visiting it three times in novice hurdles last year, and doing so again at his second attempt over larger obstacles at Ascot in November.

He was less impressive when a distant fourth of six on Boxing Day, but Aintree’s bottomless ground was a factor then, and he should bounce back here, with Alice Stevens’ five-pound claim helping matters.

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Alan King’s Harbour Lake looked like a chaser in the making when landing his first four completed hurdling efforts, but made errors on his debut over fences at Aintree on Boxing Day, so he will have something to prove on this second attempt.

Top-weighted Rock My Way also made a promising chasing debut when runner-up of five at Plumpton three weeks ago, but it is difficult to argue with market trends for this one, and the warm favourite Henry’s Friend wears that mantle well.

Twice a winner over hurdles, Ben Pauling’s seven-year-old has looked at ease in both of his starts over fences, backing up a promising fifth place on last month’s chasing debut at Doncaster with a tidy win at Newbury just two weeks later.

Over a slightly longer trip than he faces here, Henry’s Friend rallied from a poor position two furlongs out, keeping on strongly to beat the short-priced favourite by a neck, fighting all out at the line.

His subsequent three-pound hike was to be expected, but the manner of that win suggests that should not prevent another strong run here, and he could well get another couple of wins under his belt before the handicapper fully catches up with him. 

 

16:00 (Hereford) The Gypsy Davey

The Gypsy Davey could make it a brilliant start to his professional career as he lines up in the Watch And Bet At Planetsportbet Novices' Hurdle.

He made a winning start at Taunton earlier this month and has won two of his five jumps outings over all levels. 

He is ideally placed to continue this good form and win in his second professional race. 

 

16:30 (Hereford) Kaproyale

Kaproyale will look to mark his return to action with a win in the final race of the meeting, Play Beat Sav! At Planetsportbet Open Hunters' Chase.

His last outing was eight months ago, when he won a chase at Stratford-On-Avon, but he is a genuine jumper with five wins from 17 appearances. 

He should be feared as he boasts two wins from three when chasing and he placed on his only other outing at this course. 

 

Hereford selections in full:

Hereford: 13:30 Below The Radar, 14:00 Bhaloo, 14:30 Ardmayle, 15:00 Black Hawk Eagle, 15:30 Henry's Friend, 16:00 The Gypsy Davey, 16:30 Kaproyale.