Five meetings go to post across the UK & Ireland on Wednesday, 12th October, with the action coming from Kempton, Nottingham, Punchestown, Wetherby and Wolverhampton. Our lucky 15 features a couple of strong fancies on the Nottingham card, plus one apiece at Punchestown and Wolverhampton.
Our expert tipster has produced their best bets across the cards, which make up our advised Wednesday Lucky 15.
Odds correct at time of posting – 4:45pm Tuesday 9th October
Country Queen (2.45 Punchestown) – 4/1
This is an open Handicap, but the one who has caught our eye is COUNTRY QUEEN. Gordon Elliott’s lightly raced mare has put in some top performances of late, including a first win over hurdles last month and she looks more than capable of winning again here.
He put in a solid round of jumping when winning last month and would’ve likely followed up had he not made a hash of the final hurdle at Perth next time out. Both runs were full of promise and he looks a cracking price to take on the market leader with.
Davy Russell was on board for that win at Kilbeggan and is back on board here. He had an impressive 22% strike-rate when riding at Punchestown last season so the fact he’s on board our selection rather than Elliott’s other runner Up And Out bodes well for our chances. Battle Away heads the betting after winning her last two races and is a deserved favourite, but at the odds we’re happy to take her on with Country Queen.
Mr Alan (3.30 Nottingham) – 4/1
We see this as a straight shootout between Marhaba The Champ and MR ALAN, and it’s the latter who gets our vote. George Boughey’s gelding was just touched off in a better race than this and drops in class here, which can be enough to see him gain a first win in over a year.
There is a crucial piece of form which just edges Mr Alan – Cockalorum chased home Marhaba The Champ last time out, going down by two and a half lengths (was 2lb heavier than the winner). That runner was over seven lengths behind Mr Alan at Ayr previously, with Mr Alan also 1lb heavier that day. The fact he is just 2lb heavier than Marhaba The Champ suggests he should have the beating of him here.
Marhaba The Champ won impressively last time out and is the obvious danger, but he will have to improve to get the better of Mr Alan, who looked well suited to the drop down to this trip last time out, and we’re confident he will gain a deserved victory here.
Country Pyle (4.25 Wolverhampton) – 7/2
The feature race on the Wolverhampton card can go the way of COUNTRY PYLE, who has been knocking on the door of late and won on her only previous effort over this trip.
She ran out an impressive winner at Goodwood that day, and has followed that up with three good performances since. She was only two lengths off Perfect Alibi in a class 2 at Newbury next time out, and the winner gave that form a boost when winning a Listed race at Yarmouth earlier this week. She then stepped up to two miles for her most recent two races, and was only just touched off on both occasions.
The Crisford yard continue to be in excellent form, currently operating at a 32% strike-rate over the past couple of weeks, and this is their sole runner on Wednesday. Night Sparkle made all to run out an impressive winner at Haydock last time out, but will face competition for the lead here and with that in mind, we’re happy to take her on with Country Pyle.
Fantasy Master (4.40 Nottingham) – 10/3
FANTASY MASTER has a solid record at Nottingham, including winning a class 2 race here a couple of weeks ago. He has an impressive 1144231 (3-7) record when racing here, compared to a 082039087 (0-9) record away from Nottingham. We’re happy to continue to back him when racing here, and he’s tempting odds to follow-up and land a double, with the drop back into class 3 company a bonus.
Since joining Daryl Holland’s yard, his only poor performance came on the all-weather at Kempton. Other than that, he placed over C&D on his reappearance run after a 237 day break, and won impressively here last month.
Andrea Atzeni has again been booked for the ride and he has a healthy 26% strike-rate when riding at Nottingham. He looks to have a fantastic opportunity to improve that form with Fantasy Master on Thursday.