Michael Shinners, Racing PR Manager at Sky Bet, takes on Stephen Harris from bettingexpert and Timeform in the second week of the jump season Tipster Challenge for 2016/17 at Wetherby.
Shinners follows on from Ed Nicholson, Head of Unibet UK Marketing Operations, who managed just 0.73 points in the opening week. Timeform assumed the early lead after picking up two victories and a total of 4.23 points at Ludlow. Stephen Harris collected 3.00 points from the day’s opening race.
The leaderboard, which will be published on Thursday morning, can be sorted according to both points won and number of races won. Each Guest will be shown individually, with totals from bettingexpert and Timeform shown as a weekly average.
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2:20
bettingexpert: Gday Aussie
Has fast ground and a test of speed for the first time over hurdles. Expected to improve if settling better under Brian Hughes.
Timeform: Nucky Thompson
Makes plenty of appeal on his hurdles debut, and can give his yard a second winner in this sphere from as many runners.
Sky Bet: Nucky Thompson
Yard had a novice hurdle winner last week and is the highest rated of these on the flat.
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2:55
bettingexpert: Ballybolley
Caught a tartar on his seasonal reappearance, and could be a cut above these rivals with his stable in blistering form.
Timeform: Ballybolley
Should have come on for his Newton Abbot return when chasing home the promising Marracudja.
Sky Bet: Ballybolley
Bumped into a real smart performer last time and should be too good for his rivals at Wetherby.
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3:30
bettingexpert: Louloumills
Ran well when second in a fair northern handicap last time out, and has been found a very weak novice hurdle here getting all the allowances.
Timeform: Deise Diamond
Deise Diamond and Tell The Tale have the most potential in this field, with the former taking preference on account of his superior bumper form and slightly more promising hurdling debut.
Sky Bet: Sharp Response
Previously trained in Ireland and a fairly expensive purchase, it would be interesting if there is money for him.
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4:00
bettingexpert: Pair Of Jacks
Has his quirks, but will get a fast run race here to help him settle, and can come through late under the excellent Brian Hughes.
Timeform: The Grey Taylor
Primed for a big run on the back of a pipe-opener at Sedgefield a couple of weeks ago, and looks well capable of defying a mark of 134 if he can see out this longer trip.
Sky Bet: The Grey Taylor
Runs well here at Wetherby, where his front running tactics usually suit. Well prepared after a run over hurdles.
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4:35
bettingexpert: Frederic
Looked a different proposition for new connections at Market Rasen last month, and is fancied to defy a rise in the weights with fast ground ideal.
Timeform: Frederic
Continued the good work shown on the flat when running out a comfortable winner over hurdles at Market Rasen last month.
Sky Bet: Boruma
Runs off a very light weight, and can run well with Brian Hughes in the saddle.
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5:05
bettingexpert: Trust Thomas
Fully exposed, but returns from a four-month break with conditions ideal and can swoop late in a race full of frontrunners.
Timeform: Monbeg River
Won first-time up last season, and could repeat the dose if ready to go.
Sky Bet: Monbeg River
Won first time out last season and still looks open to improvement off this mark.
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5:40
bettingexpert: Return Flight
Landed a wholesale gamble on his first start for Dan Skelton and is confidently expected to defy a penalty.
Timeform: Return Flight
Looked well ahead of his mark when landing a gamble on yard debut at Southwell last week, and his penalty is almost offset by his very capable rider’s claims.
Sky Bet: Lightening Rod
Runs for the inform Mick Easterby team and has an excellent record at the track. Any money could prove significant.
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Tipster Challenge 2016/17 Leaderboard
Rank | Tipster | Race Wins | Points |
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1 | Timeform | 2 | 4.23 |
2 | bettingexpert | 1 | 3.00 |
3 | Ed Nicholson - Unibet | 1 | 0.73 |