Wincanton racing tip (1515): Kingofthewest ready to rule after promising chase debut
Wincanton
The penultimate race on Wincanton’s card offers us an intriguing handicap that has a few promising chasers primed to go head-to-head in what could be a thrilling finish to the day’s jumping action.
15:15 Wincanton: Woolston Novices’ Handicap Chase (2 miles 4 furlongs 35 yards)
If we start in the bottom half of the betting, it’s hard to make a case for many against the market leaders, although the Mitchell Hunt-trained Chankaya looks an interesting prospect on his chase debut after following up a decent career on the Flat with a couple of decent runner-up spots in six attempts over hurdles.
Of the half-dozen starters likely to be sent off carrying a single-digit price, Sherborne finished last season with two useful wins over hurdles, and has made a promising transition to fences, coming second and fourth in his two efforts to date, so it would be not surprise to see Joe Tizzard’s seven-year-old in the mix again here under Brendan Powell.
Planet Sport Bet: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if Chakaya finishes in the first 3 places, get a £5 Free Bet
However, the pick of those making the step up to larger obstacles, is David Pipe’s capable seven-year-old, Kingofthewest, who was available at 7/1 last night, but is now vying with French raider Kraqueline for the favourite tag at around the 4/1 mark.
Kingofthewest won two of his first three outings over hurdles (second in the other) in early 2022, and although failing to build on that promise last season, it appears that connections always had him lined up as longer-term chasing prospect.
Following a seven-month break, he was far from disgraced when coming fourth of eight on his season and chase debut at Taunton about a month ago, and while he clearly had some cobwebs to blow away, he negotiated the stiffer obstacles with aplomb.
He now benefits from being a couple of pounds better off than in that pipe opener, and he should go well again under the capable presence of Jack Tudor, who has a good record around the Somerset course.
- Suggested bet: Kingofthewest in the 15:15 at Wincanton
READ MORE: Harry Cobden’s Planet Sport Bet Blog: Champion jockey crown still possible
