SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Phillip Anderson from beforetheoff.com, a specialist horse racing site launched in conjunction with Independent Content Services Ltd (ICS), has agreed to take this week’s Tipster Challenge at Bangor.
Before The Off teamed up with sports content and digital marketing specialists ICS in March 2014, to provide up-to-the minute, data-driven analysis of the next races. The website features sophisticated ratings, full race cards, results, exclusive news and race previews.
Anderson will be competing against Timeform and Stephen Harris, the Horse Racing Guru at bettingexpert. Our regular tipsters currently sit 4th and 6th on the leaderboard, with point averages of 2.64 and 0.95 respectively. Alan Alger, PR Manager at Betway, continues leads the way with a 11.41-point haul at Fontwell.
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12:50
bettingexpert: Zanstra
Should be a lot straighter for his seasonal debut last month, and can win off this mark if he jumps more fluently.
Timeform: Mumgos Debut
Hard to ignore on the back of his ready win off this mark at Hexham last week, for all this is a stronger race.
Before The Off: Ballycoe
Has gone well fresh before and he looks capable of coping with a 14lb rise in the weights.
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1:20
bettingexpert: Presenting Lisa
Has winning form at Bangor and is likely to get a positive front running ride on the forecast good ground.
Timeform: Stephanie Frances
The first ever running of this listed novice chase, and it would appear to provide Stephanie Frances with an excellent opportunity to add to last month’s hurdling success at a similar level.
Before The Off: Stephanie Frances
Will take all the beating for the Skelton team. She’s been in smart form this autumn and the daughter of King’s Theatre can keep on progressing.
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1:50
bettingexpert: Smooth Stepper
Hails from a yard suddenly in hot form, and has a great chance here getting lumps of weight from some exposed/badly handicapped rivals.
Timeform: Sego Success
Ended last season on a bit of a whimper, but thus returns at Bangor on a handy mark for his in-form yard.
Before The Off: Ballykan
Is top-rated and represents an in-form yard. Should relish any rain and will take all the beating.
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2:25
bettingexpert: Drumcliff
Looked useful in bumpers last season, and this looks more realistic than the Eire Grade 2 he contested on hurdling debut.
Timeform: Drumcliff
Showed ability without being given a hard time in Grade 2 company when last seen, and could be worth chancing.
Before The Off: Dashing Oscar
Trainer Harry Fry looks like he holds the key to this Novices’ Hurdle and his charge ran well in two starts ago over C&D, finishing behind Lady Yeats who won off a mark of 120 recently.
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3:00
bettingexpert: Bim Bam Boum
Features on a lenient handicap mark and should go very close at Bangor if readied after 220 days off the track.
Timeform: Foxcub
Comes with clear risks attached as he’s essentially been out of form for some time, but on the plus side, he is only 1lb above the mark in which he ran out a decisive winner of this race 12 months ago.
Before The Off: Rene’s Girl
The Skelton yard have a strong record with runners returning from a break and she may be primed to land this.
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3:30
bettingexpert: The Otmoor Poet
Comes from a stable with a strong hand of juvenile hurdlers and he can make a winning debut if jumping fluently.
Timeform: The Otmoor Poet
Developing in to a fairly-useful handicapper over middle distances on the level this summer, and with his latest effort forgiven, he could well be worth chancing to make a winning hurdling debut.
Before The Off: Tasty Ginger
Has shown promise over hurdles and should confirm Huntingdon form with Burnside.
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4:05
bettingexpert: Alf ‘n’ Dor
Looked promising in bumpers and perhaps needed the run when a remote third behind Wholestone on hurdling debut.
Timeform: Dingo Dollar
His success on point debut appeals as strong form, so it would come as no surprise if he was up to the task on Rules bow starting out over the right sort of trip.
Before The Off: Alf ‘n’ Dor
Won a bumper on heavy and has been placed on soft since. Is top-rated and the Peter Bowen-trained runners often come on for a run.
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Tipster Challenge 2016/17 Leaderboard
| Rank | Tipster | Race Wins | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alan Alger - Betway | 3 | 11.41 |
| 2 | John Hill - Coral | 2 | 4.25 |
| 3 | Michael Shinners - Sky Bet | 2 | 4.00 |
| 4 | Timeform | 1.60 | 2.64 |
| 5 | John Cruces - Dafabet | 1 | 1.25 |
| 6 | bettingexpert | 0.60 | 0.95 |
| 7 | Ed Nicholson - Unibet | 1 | 0.73 |
