Thursday 16th February

howareyakid

I have written about the Grade 3 novice hurdles over 3 miles today in Clonmel (2:15) over on the trial races thread, and I’ve put one of the runners, SEARCH FOR GLORY, up as an ante-post pick for the Albert Bartlett in the ante-post bets thread, so I will have to stick with him here. At his current price of 15/2, though, I’m hoping he can be at the very least an each way bet to nothing at e/w terms of three places. Currently he’s joint-third in the market with Monty’s Star, a half brother to Monalee, and behind the market leaders of Hiddenvalley Lake and Corbetts Cross respectively. On current ratings, he has a bit to find on those two, but he shaped well on his hurdles debut in Leopardstown over Chrismtas in a good race. He looked like he would relish the step up in trip — a point winner as well — so hopefully that will see him be competitive here. Hiddenvalley Lake won very nicely in Cork in a race that has worked out from a form point of view, and Corbetts Cross, a ready handicap winner over 3 miles last time out, is more experienced and battle-hardened horse which should stand to him here. It should be a good race in any case, and a one that also should be insightful for what’s to come at Cheltenham.

howareyakid

Corbetts Cross a non-runner which changes the complexion of the race a bit. E/w terms two places now also.

howareyakid

Walk In The Brise gone also. Hiddenvalley Lake 4/7 fav now.

howareyakid

Great race. Monty’s Star gets the better of Hiddenvalley Lake and Search For Glory in a tight finish. Both the first two now joined on 7/1 for the Albert Bartlett with Search For Glory cut to 20/1. Thought Search For Glory ran a fairly good race in third for his first run over 3 miles, so I wouldn’t give up on his chances at Cheltenham just yet.