English/Ire
King's best bets
Sam King is back with two selections on Wednesday.
Wincanton's fixture offers some interesting contests for jumps fans to keep an eye on, with the best bet on the card coming in the penultimate Bridles New Luxury Care Home Handicap Hurdle (4.50).
Victory Shout rewarded strong market support when running out a two-length winner of a handicap hurdle at Taunton eight days ago, but he now shoulders a 7lb penalty.
It wouldn't be a total shock to see him follow up but he's far from consistent and the reopposing Walk In The West, who filled the runner-up spot in that Taunton race, is now 7lb better off.
That was his first outing in handicap company and with the first-time hood applied, he relaxed nicely off the pace before picking up well in the closing stages.
His latest effort suggested there could be plenty more to come now that he continues down the handicap route and with Sam Twiston-Davies taking over in the saddle, he must have every chance of reversing the placings with his old rival Victory Shout.
Walk In The West – 1pt Win
Odds – 3/1
The market for the Book The Bistro At Southwell Racecourse Handicap Chase (2.30) at Southwell looks interesting.
Hell Hound was pulled up following a huge break at Taunton, but he's clearly expected to leave that well behind. He could do well so back on better ground but the same applies to Always Busy, who at almost four times the prices, looks like the better option.
The Christian Williams team have been amongst the winners of late and Always Busy looks another interesting contender now that he's back under suitable conditions.
Soft ground has never been his ally, and it was no shock to see him struggle in testing conditions at Chepstow last time. However, he's been dropped a further 2lb for that effort and with Murphy-Knight, who rode him to finish a respectable fifth in Class 3 company at Musselburgh in January, back in the saddle to take off 7lb, he's now dangerously well-treated.
His last success came off his current mark of 103 over course and distance last May, so he's effectively 7lb lower here.
This will be the first time this season that he encounters genuine good ground and although he doesn't always earn top marks for consistency, he's well worth chancing at the current prices.
Always Busy – 1pt Win
Odds – 4/1
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