Horse racing betting tips: Wetherby first before Ballyoptic sets sights on the World
CHELTENHAM notebooks are well and truly open and Saturday's meeting at Wetherby could see a couple more additions.
Gold Cup hopeful Cue Card looks an obvious winner of the Charlie Hall Chase, but remains an unattractive betting proposition at 8/11.
I’m therefore more interested in the West Yorkshire Hurdle (2.45pm) where BALLYOPTIC, who is currently a 14/1 chance for the World Hurdle, looks the one to beat.
After a successful seasonal pipe-opener at Chepstow, he comes here a fit horse in good form.
The six-year-old is unbeaten over timber and, even though he has to carry a penalty today, he is improving fast.
Read more: Horse racing betting tips: A Good Skin can land good win at Ascot
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ inmate beat Bellshill in the Grade One Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in April and could have a fitness advantage tomorrow, so take the 9/4 with Betway.
His main danger could be If In Doubt, but he’s been off the track since April and is likely to need the run, while the same can be said of Native River.
Earlier on the card, MISS CRICK looks to be on an upward curve and can land the Listed Mares Hurdle (2.10pm).
Alan King has always liked this daughter of Midnight Legend and she started to show exactly why with four wins and a second over the summer.
In her early days, she showed plenty of speed but then found hurdling on winter ground a bit tough.
She is now going the right way and will be fitter than a number of her rivals after winning well at Worcester last month.
Granted this is a step up in class, but Miss Crick looks a mare going places and can continue her trainer’s excellent run of recent form.
POINTERS SATURDAY
Miss Crick 2.10pm Wetherby
Ballyoptic 2.45pm Wetherby