Construct – 5.30 Galway – 2m 7F Handicap Hurdle – 20/1 Skybet – 7 places – 1 Point Each Way.
Construct was an Ex-Khalid Abdullah home bred and achieved a good level on the flat postmarking a high of 87 up to 2 miles. He was sold on at the end of his 3 year old campaign for 105000 guineas and his new connections saw him as a good jumps recruit.
This was no surprise as Construct is a big horse and was always going to take a good 5 to 6 years to mature and fill out his frame.
He has made 6 hurdling starts and won two races over 2m 1F and 2m 3F, postmarking a high of 137. Despite him being a 2 miler on the flat he still hasn’t raced any further than 2m 3F and therefore remains unexposed over today’s 2m 7F trip which I’m sure will see an improvement in form.
He runs here off 130, enjoys good ground and ran well on the flat over 2m 1F last month, which I’m sure was just a prep for today’s race.
He also has the top claimer S Torren’s on board who takes a valuable 3lb off and it’s a good pointer to Construct’s chances that he takes the ride rather than ride one of J P McManus’ horses. Torren’s has ridden in many of McManus’ top handicap chances at the Festival’s this year.
Construct looks a good price at 20/1 with Skybet, who offer 7 places and I’m recommending 1 point each way.
He still looks value at 14/1.
Hot to Trot – 4.25 Bangor – 2m 7F Handicap Hurdle – 50/1 Bet365 – 1 Point Each Way.
The 7 year old Hot to Trot is a winner of two 3 mile point to points and was sent under rules last year.
He ran in maiden hurdles and showed up well on his debut over 2m 4F postmarking 96, but his form tailed off due to suffering from a breathing problem.
He was given his first wind operation and like many horses needed his next run to gain confidence in his breathing and was pulled up. He fell when travelling well on his next start and needed another breathing operation before his seasonal opener this year where again he was pulled up three out.
However, there was a lot to like about Hot To Trot’s last run as he travelled and jumped slickly before being outpaced over the inadequate 2m 4F. He and came under pressure and his breathing was tested before being pulled up. That run will have blown the fitness cobwebs away and was a good confidence booster.
Today he has a real chance as he has been stepped up to a much more suitable trip of almost 3 miles and can now take a step forward on ground that is the same as he won on in his point to points.
He is fairly handicapped mark off 90 and gets another 5lb off for Charlie Price’s claim, so runs off a net 85. Considering he ran to 86 over an inadequate trip on unsuitable ground, there must be considerable upside.
The stable had a recent winner with Charlie in the saddle, so Hot To Trot is well worth chancing at rewarding odds of 50/1 with Bet365.
I therefore recommend 1 point each way.
He is still value at 25/1.
Everything For You – 1.50 Goodwood – 2m 4F Handicap – 50/1 William Hill – 1 Point Each Way.
Ian Williams regularly picks up big flat staying handicaps and this 2m 4F event is no exception as he has won this race twice in the past 7 years with 25/1 and 33/1 shots.
Today he runs Everything For You and looks an interesting contender. He was originally trained by Kevin Ryan and ran many solid races over middle distances and peaked when stepping up to 2 miles (on his final start for him) where he postmarked 100.
He then went hurdling for Williams and showed that stamina was his game with a win over 3m 1F in March this year and after a hurdling campaign he reverted to the flat over 1m 6F last month which very much looks like a prep for today’s race.
He runs off 87, so looks nicely handicapped and this trip could easily bring out further improvement.
At 50/1 with William Hill, who pay 5 places, I recommend 1 point each way.
He still looks value at 25/1.
