Hereford racing tips: File Illico ready to exploit dropping mark
Hereford racecourse
In the last of the PlanetSportBet-sponsored card, eleven capable chasers line up for what should give Hereford’s race-goers plenty to cheer before they make their way home.
15:58 Hereford: Watch & Bet at PlanetSportBet Handicap Chase (2 miles 5 furlongs)
With the top seven in the market separated by just three betting point, the current 4/1 favourite Natty Night looks somewaht vulnerable and his support is possibly based more on the form of Venetia Williams’ yard than of the prospects of the eight-year-old.
Of the other market principals appear to bring better credentials to post, with Mel Rowley’s Martalmix’jac looking in top shape after a couple of cracking near-miss seconds in December, just two months after a tidy win at Stratford
Planet Sport Bet: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if Martalmix'jac wins, get a £5 Free Bet
Amalfi Skyline looks a little more effective on chasing debut last month than he had in four disappointing hurdle outings, although our final nod goes to Jonjo O’Neill’s File Illico, who won four times over fences in an eye-catching 2021/22 campaign.
The nine-year-old has failed to extend that sparkling form, but while he was pulled up in the heavy ground at Leicester last time out before Christmas, he had jumped boldly enough until that point to suggest he could be moving back in the right direction.
Significantly, his mark is dropping like a stone, to the point where he is currently 34 pounds lower than just after his last win ten outings ago, and sooner or later he will surely find himself back on the winning side of his handicap again.
- Suggested best bet: File Illico each-way in the 15:58 at Hereford
- Tip advised by King of Persia on Tipstrr
For anyone out there who prefers bigger odds, then it’s worth noting that a number of Tipstrr’s more established each-way pundits have gravitated towards the bottom-weight Ocean’s Of Money.
Nikki Evans’ eight-year-old mare remains a maiden after 13 attempts under rules, so appears to have little going for him in terms of form, plus he is four pounds out of the handicap.
However, jockey Ben Jones boasts a 50 percent place rate from nearly 400 rides over fences, and having landed a winner here last month and ridden Shakem Up’arry to victory in the New Year’s Day Chase at Cheltenham, maybe he can succeed where others have failed.
- Each-way punt: Ocean’s Of Money each-way in the 15:58 at Hereford
- Tip advised by The Profit Rocket on Tipstrr
READ MORE: Hereford racing tips: Best bets for Thursday, January 4
