English/Ire
King’s best bets - 7th March 2026
Sam King is back with a handful of selections on Saturday…
All eyes are on Cheltenham but there are still some wagers to be had this afternoon in a bid to boost the Festival funds.
Sandown's Imperial Cup meeting always throws up some competitive contests and this year's card looks just the same.
It's not surprising the see Olly Murphy's progressive Scorpio Rising strong in the betting for the European Breeders' Fund Betfair "National Hunt" Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final (1.50), but at the current prices, the unexposed Kaka's Cousin is equally as appealing.
His recent Catterick success couldn't have been much more impressive, and the form took a boost when the runner-up, Kocktail Bleu, who was eight and a half lengths behind that day, went on to chase home Klub De Reve in the Grade 2 Dovecote Novices' Hurdle.
Harry Derham has eyes on raising Klub De Reve to Grade 1 company at Aintree and whilst Kaka's Cousin might not be at that level, a line through the form surely makes him appealing off an opening mark of 126.
He has winning form on better ground as well and should have more to offer in handicap company.
Kaka's Cousin – 1pt Win
Odds – 11/2
Paul Nicholls has won two of the last six renewals of the Betfair Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle (2.27) and whilst Afadil might not be chucked in at the weights, he looks a fair each-way price with firms paying 5 places.
A generally reliable sort in big-field handicap hurdles, Paul Nicholls' charge will absolutely relish the drying ground conditions at the Esher venue and he's now 1lb lower than when third in this race twelve months ago.
It was tough not to be pleased with his solid second-place finish under a positive ride at Musselburgh last time out and the return to this more galloping track should be right up his sleeve.
Talented conditional Freddie Keighley, who claims a valuable 5lb here, got a good tune out of him last time and I'd be disappointed if he was in with a shout of filling the places as they make the turn for home.
Afadil – 1pt Each-way
Odds – 14/1
Wolverhampton hosts an interesting card on the all-weather, with Listed action and a key trial for the Lincoln on the opening day of the turf season.
I'm happy to sit back and watch the Lincoln trial, albeit I'm a huge fan of La Botte and expect to see him competing in pattern races throughout the season. Harry Eustace's comments in the week suggest that he's going to come on a bundle for this outing and with stall ten not ideal either, I'll let him pass this afternoon.
There are still bets to be had on the card however, with Kullazain looking like a rock-solid contender in the Make The Move To Midnite Handicap (2.05).
Trained by James Tate, Kullazain returns to the scene where he scored over course and distance two starts ago and arrives racing off the same mark as when third last time out.
His recent third-place finish at Kempton looks worth upgrading given he was poorly positioned throughout and it's unlikely that will be the case this afternoon, with the in-form Luke Morris booked to do the steering and a kind starting gate in stall two.
He remains unexposed after just four outings on the all-weather and can get back to winning ways.
Kullazain – 1pt Win
Odds – 5/2
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