Scottish challenger worth a glance in Newbury feature
11.02.2010
Saturday's Totesport Trophy Hurdle at Newbury promises to be a typically competitive handicap in which a case can be made for most of the 28 runners.
Having considered them all, Scottish challenger Culcabock could be worth an each-way interest in a race that looks sure to be run to suit.
Lucinda Russell's evergreen ten-year-old has been doing the rounds for ages now but seems as good as ever, judging by his fine victory at Aintree last April and is attracing many of the latest racing tips.
Down the field on his seasonal return behind the classy Khyber Kim at Cheltenham in November, Culcabock is the type of horse who appears to revel in a fast run race, enjoys the hurly burly of a big field and is ideally suited by a left-handed galloping track. The big Newbury race meets all the aforementioned criteria.
I'm not saying for a moment that this 66/1 chance (with Sportingbet - 130 on Betfair) is a sure thing, but at that price a small investment each-way could pay very handsome dividends.
My main fancy for the race is Jonjo O'Neill's Get Me out of Here, who is a totally unexposed horse and open to any amount of improvement. His odds of around 12/1 are a realistic indication of his chances and taking into account his relative inexperience. However, he could show them all a clean pair of heels if he handles the rough and tumble of this two mile cavalry charge.
Going back to Culcabock it's worth remembering Lucinda Russell could have run the gelding in the good two mile event at Musselburgh last weekend, or any number of races closer to home for that matter. The long journey south to Newbury from Perth will seem no more than a skip and a jump if Campbell Gillies' mount springs a surprise.
Maybe I should do a reverse forecast on the pair - just in case.
Meanwhile, pundits are eagerly anticipating the publication of the weights for this year's Grand National and it is likely the handicap list will have a significant impact on the ante-post odds for the event.
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