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15:10 Southwell An interesting 2m novices hurdle seeing six go to post. The Jonjo O’Neill trained Utility looks likely to head the betting. The 5yo gelding, sired by top class stayer Yates, was an expensive €160,000 purchase and has an impressive bumper win already to his name. He disappointed somewhat on his latest start in April, finishing well down the field in an ultra competitive Aintree bumper. I think at the prices it may be worth siding with a horse with some experience over timber. Debece is trained by bang in form trainer Tim Vaughan. A half brother to top class jumper Don Poli, Debece’s future looks set to lay over further distances and larger obstacles. However his impressive start over hurdles gives me reason to believe he can pick up this prize en route to better things. Vaughan commented that despite his charge’s successes last term, he appeared to be rather weak and backwards. I am hopeful a summer at grass will have brought the gelding on a fair bit and with capable claimer Alan Johns counteracting nearly half of Debece’s win penalty, he looks a decent bet at odds of 7/4. Debece (WIN)
15:50 Windsor The Marco Botti trained Wild Hacked has been generally progressive in his nine career starts to date. Gradually stepped up in distance from 7f to 1m 4f, the 3 year old colt has been on the premises in class 2 races without managing to get his head in front. This drop down in class off a workable mark of 89 looks a good opportunity. Botti has been in excellent form recently and with Harry Bentley fresh from his exploits on Limato on board, 8/1 looks a very fair e/w price. Wild Hacked (E/W)
17:20 Windsor An amateur riders handicap sprint is never the most reliable of betting mediums but i think there is a horse and jockey combination in this field that should be seriously considered. Sir Geoffrey is well into the veteran stage of his career now as a 10 year old but trainer Scott Dixon still thinks the gelding retains enough enthusiasm to register one final hurrah before retirement. A rating of 54 looks generous considering Sir Geoffrey last won off a mark of 61 in March. 5f on good to soft ground is close to his optimal conditions and in Simon Walker, the horse has one of the best amateur jockeys around in the saddle. Another interesting stat is that in his long and well travelled career, Sir Geoffrey has only run at Windsor once – and won. Current odds of 10/1 look to provide some e/w value. Sir Geoffrey (E/W)