SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
SBC has called upon the @racingblogger to take the Tipster Challenge at Hereford. Stephen Power has stepped up to the plate to provide his expert tips for today’s seven-race card.
Power will be going up against the seventh placed Timeform and Stephen Harris, the Horse Racing Guru at bettingexpert, who currently sits in 10th place in the table after 12 weeks of action.
So far no-one has got within five points of Alan Alger’s 11.41-point total at Fontwell on October 19. Can Stephen turn on the ‘power’ at Hereford to rival the PR Manager from Betway?
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12:55
bettingexpert: Storm Alert
Hails from a small yard hitting top form and might improve a chunk for his recent seasonal reappearance.
Timeform: That’s Gonna Sting
Failed to follow up his Ludlow success unpenalised at Taunton last month, yet he may well have found that coming too soon, and given more time ahead of this he may well have more to offer.
Racing Blogger: Staunton
Staunton is having only his 3rd run over hurdles in a handicap hurdle. Stepping back up to 3m 1f today should see him improve further and go close in a very tricky opener.
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1:25
bettingexpert: Canoodle
Made a good start to hurdling at Uttoxeter and the winner has franked the form in defeat in better class.
Timeform: Miss Night Owl
Shaped with plenty of promise when 1¼ lengths second to Ruby Yeats on hurdles debut at Southwell last month and is expected to reverse the form with that rival now on revised terms.
Racing Blogger: Canoodle
Canoodle ran a beautiful race on his novice hurdle debut, and should improve a lot for that experience and go close today at Hereford.
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1:55
bettingexpert: Charmix
Shaped well at Bangor last time out behind Potters Legend and will appreciate the drying ground expected here.
Timeform: Nesterenko
Signed off his time with Nicky Henderson with a win over hurdles at Warwick in May and he gets the narrow vote to make a winning chase debut for his new stable.
Racing Blogger: Charmix
The highest rated runner in this race has been disappointing over fences so far. However, his trainer Harry Fry is a master at getting horses to improve. If Charmix improves his jumping, he will go very close.
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2:25
bettingexpert: Yourholidayisover
A smooth traveller who usually fades off the bridle, but might have a fast run race to suit here, and gets lumps of weight off the favourite Working Title.
Timeform: Fieldsofsilk
Made a promising chase debut when third at Carlisle, and can find the required improvement to beat the veteran Working Title, who carries a penalty for his Sedgefield success.
Racing Blogger: Fieldsofsilk
Fieldsofsilk is having only his 2nd run over fences. He’s a very lightly raced five-year-old who can only improve.
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2:55
bettingexpert: Keeper Hill
Impressed when landing hefty cash at Bangor and can defy a penalty in a competitive novice at Hereford.
Timeform: Jameson
Made an encouraging start over hurdles when runner-up at Ffos Las and can go one place better with plenty of improvement forthcoming.
Racing Blogger: Jameson
Jameson from the all-conquering Nicky Henderson yard should pay his way this year over hurdles. A lovely first run finishing 2nd over 2m; the step up to 2m 3f today and the booking of champion Irish jockey Davy Russel should ensure a huge run.
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3:25
bettingexpert: Strong Pursuit
Made all at a brisk pace last time and will take plenty of catching round this sharp track in decent ground.
Timeform: Strong Pursuit
After an impressive success at Wincanton, he can go on improving.
Racing Blogger: Strong Pursuit
Looks a serious horse in this company today. He absolutely destroyed his rivals at Wincanton last time out in serious style. It will be a shock if he is beaten today for Champion jockey Richard Johnson.
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3:55
bettingexpert: Keel Haul
Back hurdling from a fair mark and should go very close with conditions ideal under Richard Johnson.
Timeform: Stage One
Almost certainly ahead of his mark now going handicapping and could strike at the first time of asking here.
Racing Blogger: Bobble Emerald
Bobble Emerald ran a beautiful race at Cheltenham last timeout in a 0-140. He drops down to a 0-120 today and should continue to improve. A horse who had slight niggles last year, he is showing signs of coming back to his best.
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Tipster Challenge 2016/17 Leaderboard
| Rank | Tipster | Race Wins | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alan Alger - Betway | 3 | 11.41 |
| 2 | Phillip Anderson - Before The Off | 3 | 6.17 |
| 3 | Ciaran O'Brien - William Hill | 3 | 5.29 |
| 4 | John Hill - Coral | 2 | 4.25 |
| 5 | Michael Shinners - Sky Bet | 2 | 4.00 |
| 6 | Stuart Tilly - Argyll Entertainment | 1 | 4.00 |
| 7 | Timeform | 2.08 | 3.86 |
| 8 | Trevor Keane - Sportego | 2 | 3.50 |
| 9 | Matthew Hulmes - Betfred | 2 | 3.25 |
| 10 | bettingexpert | 1.16 | 2.47 |
| 11 | Charlie McCann - BetVictor | 1 | 1.75 |
| 12 | John Cruces - Dafabet | 1 | 1.25 |
| 13 | Michael Whittle - Team FA | 1 | 0.91 |
| 14 | Ed Nicholson - Unibet | 1 | 0.73 |
