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Alan Kelly's Tips - Thursday, 22 January
Along with Gowran Park's Thyestes Chase card on Thursday, also featuring the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle, Britain stages a couple of decent jumps fixtures at Wetherby and Huntingdon.
Soft conditions are expected for all three meetings.
3:05pm Wetherby - La Higuera (Nap)
Bollin Matilda and bottom weight Smart Bucks have shown enough this season to suggest they are capable of playing a role in the outcome of this Go North Brindisi Breeze Qualifier, while Susan Corbett’s November Hexham winner Wee Alki would have a chance if you were to ignore his most recent effort when pulled-up on that course last month.
However, this looks a good opportunity for Toby Lawes’ lightly-raced La Higuera to open his account over hurdles at the seventh attempt. Making his handicap debut over 3m at Ffos Las in November, the seven-year-old ran a race full of promise in finishing a close third of the 10 runners behind favourite Mister Barclay, after which Kevin Brogan’s mount was sent off favourite at Haydock the following month.
After losing his position at halfway, followed by a couple of mistakes, LA HIGUERA (Nap) did well to finish second to Irish raider Small Town Hero. Reappearing at Uttoxeter on the final day of 2025, La Higuera was leading when making a shocking mistake 2 out and almost losing his jockey.
Eventually finishing third, the selection would not have beaten winner Bollin Thou (receiving 17lb) who will attempt to record a fourth victory in three weeks when likely to be sent off at short odds for this afternoon’s finale at 3.40pm.
In a race which should take little winning, and granted a trouble-free round of jumping on this occasion, La Higuera should take plenty of beating.
Recommendation: La Higuera (Nap) - 5/2 with bet365
3:15pm Huntingdon - Onewaywest
Dan Skelton’s top weight Ace Of Spades has proved a model of consistency over hurdles, winning three of his 9 starts and yet to finish out of the first four. After winning on his reappearance at Aintree, Harry Skelton’s mount lost nothing in defeat when fourth of 17 in a valuable Premier Handicap at Haydock before finding only Emma Lavelle’s progressive Ma Shantou just over a length too good at Cheltenham on New Years Day.
Now running off a career-high mark of 134, the seven-year-old looks sure to run his usual game race in this Pertemps Qualifier, however, in receipt of 8lb from Ace Of Spades, plus the 5lb claim of jockey Beau Morgan, slight preference is for ONEWAYWEST from the bang-inform stable of Ben Pauling.
An easy winner of handicaps at Warwick and Wetherby, making all on both occasions, on his first two starts of the season, the seven-year-old was disputing the lead with stablemate King Of The Road when falling at the last at Kempton on Boxing Day. Whether Onewaywest would have rallied to repel the challenge of eventual winner Surrey Lord is open to question, but the selection is clearly best going right-handed (a tendency to jump out to his right) and racing over this 3m 1f trip for the first time is fancied to get back to winning ways.
Recommendation: Onewaywest - 4/1 with bet365
3:30pm Gowran - Will Do (Each-Way)
As you would expect with a guaranteed maximum field of 18 for this Thyestes Chase, a wide-open affair in which claims can be made for most of the runners. The betting is headed by the JP McManus-owned and Rober Tyner-trained Better Times Ahead, the mount of jockey Mark Walsh.
Unbeaten on both of his starts this season, a 3m handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse at the beginning of November, and most recently a 3m 6f Listed handicap chase on that course 26 days later. At a best price 6/1, the nine-year-old has been well found in the market, in which case it could be worth taking a chance on the horse who finished a neck second in that Fairyhouse race, Will Do, one of four runners for the Gordon Elliott stable (plus the final of the 3 reserves).
The Gigginstown gelding looked all over the winner when going clear after jumping the second-last at Fairyhouse, only to be caught in the final strides by Better Times Ahead. Now 4lb better off with the winner (9lb if you include the 5lb claim of today’s rider J H Williamson), WILL DO (Each-Way) looks decent value at current odds of 25/1 available with Paddy Power (6 places).
While not the most consistent of performers, Will Do has several creditable efforts to his name, including when finishing third behind Gold Cup hope Haiti Couleurs in last season's National Hunt Chase at the festival.
Recommendation: Will Do (Each-Way) - 25/1 with Paddy Power (6 places)
* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
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About Alan Kelly
A passionate follower of horse racing for over 50 years, Alan has enjoyed a 40-year career in the betting industry, 28 of which he spent running his betting shop as an owner/manager.
A successful punter with a keen eye for value, Alan has had many betting highlights, including a Scoop 6 win and has shown a consistent profit in the battle with bookmakers since joining Freebets.com in 2008.
You can follow Alan Kelly on Twitter for more racing insight.
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