SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
This week we are at Doncaster for the seven race meet sponsored by BetBright. We will be taking on Stephen Harris, the resident horse racing guru at bettingexpert, Timeform and Scott Ferguson.
Scott is a lifelong racing and betting fan with many years in the wagering industry around the world, including the early days of Betfair. He founded the Matchbook Traders Conference, and is currently Head of UK Product for leading retail betting technology firm, Best Gaming Technology.
Thank you to Scott for taking part. For all of our tipsters this week, good luck with the following picks:
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2:00
SBC News: Divine Spear
Two wins from three races, although he did lose out when starting at Evens last time at Doncaster.
bettingexpert: Divine Spear
Has been found a great opening to defy a penalty for a comfortable win.
Timeform: Divine Spear
Clearly learned plenty from his hurdles debut when scoring at Ludlow three weeks ago, and with the prospect of much better to come, he gets the nod. The Unit and Chic Theatre are another couple with their best days ahead of them, and can give the selection most to think about.
Best Gaming Tech: Divine Spear
Not a particularly brave tip siding with the clear favourite in the first, but this Nicky Henderson-trained gelding has won two from three, and his only defeat was to a horse now rated 140 after three wins in quick succession.
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2:30
SBC News: Our Thomas
A consistent performer. Placed on both starts since winning at Wetherby in October.
bettingexpert: Lou Vert
Shaped well in a warm race at Taunton on his UK debut and should take all the beating with the yard now back in top form.
Timeform: Lou Vert
Didn’t see his race out on testing ground at Taunton on his first run for Paul Nicholls but showed plenty of promise on his sole start over hurdles in France and is worth another chance on this sounder surface. Our Thomas has taken well to hurdling and is an obvious threat.
Best Gaming Tech: Baraymi
An ordinary juvenile contest with question marks over all of them. Connections paid six figures to buy this one out of France and has shown improvement in his two starts to date in Britain. Appears a better value proposition than the favourite.
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3:00
SBC News: Pinnacle Panda
Going for a hat-trick of victories after wins at Uttoxeter and Sandown.
bettingexpert: Fort Worth
Has caught the eye on a couple of occasions this season and can go close if an 81-day absence has a positive effect.
Timeform: Fort Worth
Has presumably been waiting for better ground since getting bogged down on heavy at Aintree in December and is well worth another chance to show he’s still on the upgrade. Pinnacle Panda, Fingerontheswitch and Nightline head the many dangers.
Best Gaming Tech: Fingerontheswitch
Drops significantly in class after two recent runs at Cheltenham in more valuable handicaps. Fehily back on board is a big plus – a win and a second from two rides, and could easily have a few pounds on these.
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3:30
SBC News: Night In Milan
Has shown most of his best form on this track, including a hurdles win less than four weeks ago.
bettingexpert: Saint Are
Will find this easier than the two races he has run in at Aintree and Cheltenham this season.
Timeform: Godsmejudge
Ran his best race for a while when runner-up to subsequent Sky Bet Chase winner Ziga Boy over C&D in December and looks a big player off the same mark if in similar form. Night In Milan goes well around here and is next best, ahead of the in-form Reaping the Reward.
Best Gaming Tech: Benbens
Run the Veterans Chase 10 times and you’d probably have six different winners. In a tricky race, I’ve gone for the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained veteran who will get a three-pound allowance for the quite useful Ryan Hatch on board.
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4:05
SBC News: Paint The Clouds
Boring pick, but it’s hard to see past the class act in this race.
bettingexpert: Paint The Clouds
Will love the decent ground, is fresh and has a very good record.
Timeform: Paint The Clouds
The class act here and can repeat last year’s win before having another crack at the Foxhunter at the Cheltenham Festival. Barel of Laughs, Cave Hunter and Major Malarkey can fight out minor honours.
Best Gaming Tech: Paint The Clouds
Has more than 10lbs in hand on these and drops significantly in class. Better than bank interest.
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4:40
SBC News: Ballycrystal
Beaten narrowly on debut at Musselburgh and can contend here with jockey Danny Cook.
bettingexpert: Focaccia
Makes his Rules debut for a yard going great guns and has come a long way for the run.
Timeform: Focaccia
Makes plenty of appeal on paper and could be up to making a winning start from Ballycrystal, who ran well first time up at Musselburgh but is bred to be a thorough stayer. William Hunter could leave his Huntingdon debut behind and has outside claims.
Best Gaming Tech: Ballycrystal
Trainer hitting at 29% in bumpers this season and looked a handy prospect at his first start under rules. Won’t need to improve much to win this.
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5:10
SBC News: Groundunderrepair
Trained by Warren Greatrex and made a promising debut at Carlisle in October.
bettingexpert: Groundunderrepair
Shaped nicely on his debut five months ago and is sure to be fresh and readied for this by the excellent Greatrex yard.
Timeform: Rather Be
Ludlow winner can repeat the dose having looked much more straightforward there. Groundunderrepair made a promising start at Carlisle and looks the danger four months on, while Snow Leopardess is a newcomer to note.
Best Gaming Tech: Groundunderrepair
Beaten on debut by an experienced sort who has kept on winning and franked the form. The Greatrex/Sheehan combination are dynamite in bumpers and 7lb advantage over its main rival could prove the difference.
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Follow the results of these tips throughout the Doncaster race meet via @SBCGAMINGNEWS, or return to SBC News tomorrow to see how our tipsters got on.
