It’s the time of year to make a few predictions – let’s hope the more embarrassing ones will be forgotten!
1. Little Shilling to keep on winning. Tim Vaughan’s gelding has been a revelation this winter winning his last six races on the bounce, and he can make it seven in Sunday’s Sussex National at Plumpton.
2. You don’t need a crystal ball to predict that Binocular will win the Champion Hurdle and Zaynar the Triumph Hurdle at 11/8 (Coral) and 4/1 (Ladbrokes) respectively. Both have been hugely impressive so far and at this stage it’s hard to see past them – the double pays over 10/1.
3. Tatenen won’t win the Arkle. The current ante post favourite was beaten in Ireland over Christmas despite getting a hefty 11lb from his rivals, which leaves him vulnerable. He’s a lay at the current 6 on Betfair, but I’d rather back one against him and Kalahari King is a juicy 16/1 with Paddy Power.
4. Exotic Dancer will be placed in the Gold Cup. If he runs like he did when winning the Lexus Chase, he might even win it, but an each way bet at 16/1 (Blue Square) is the safest option.
5. Crowded House can become the fourth Racing Post Trophy winner in eight years to win the Derby – snap up Coral’s 10/1.
6. Fantasia will reverse the form with Rainbow View and win the 1000 Guineas. The latter is 5/2 favourite, while Fantasia is a tasty 12/1 with Stan James.
7. Last season’s Irish Grand National Hear The Echo will win the Grand National at Aintree in April. He stays, jumps soundly, has a touch of class, and connections have campaigned him over hurdles to preserve his handicap mark, so the current 20/1 with Chandler is generous.
8. Hayley Turner will ride another 100 winners and more in 2009 – 6/4 with Coral. After becoming the first female jockey to achieve that feat in 2008 and establish herself as one of the best jockeys around, regardless of sex, she can be expected to get rides in all the big races so the 4/1 that she rides a winner at Royal Ascot is also worth taking
9. Yeats can make history by winning the Ascot Gold Cup for a record fourth time – 3/1 with Stan James.
10. I will be only winner of the Scoop6 on the Saturday before Royal Ascot and will land the bonus on the following Saturday by picking the winner of the Wokingham Handicap – perhaps!
Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all bettingpro customers a very happy and prosperous 2009!
