Friday Pricewise

qc3

It's a bit late but only in from work
The King George is always a brilliant race and the Christmas Hurdle was even better, but for those who like getting their teeth stuck into a big-field handicap the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown (2.55) will be one of the highlights of a great racing week.
Jumping is always the key in this type of race and there isn’t a better jumper of fences in the line-up than Sraid Padraig, who is well worth backing for Tony Martin at 16-1.
Last time out over an inadequate 2m, Sraid Padraig made up lengths at a few fences and just clung on to beat the fast-finishing Cause Of Causes by a short head. Given that was his first run of the season over a trip well short of his best, it was an exceptional effort, and it should have set him up perfectly for this test.
I love horses who have shown ability over 2m in these staying chases as they can travel and get into a rhythm, while the slower ones are always going a shade faster than they would like. Martin won this race in 2007 with Newbay Prop and it has always been Sraid Padraig’s early-season target.
Cause Of Causes is fancied by some to gain his revenge under Tony McCoy, and it is easy to work out why as he finished well last time. However, he is a
five-year-old ex-Flat performer who has never tried 3m, and his jumping may catch him out even if he does stay the trip.
Home Farm is progressive and might still be well handicapped, but he has to give weight away all round, while it will have to be bottomless for Panther Claw to be quick enough.
Heaney might go well if he gets into a rhythm, but the other bet has to be dual recent winner Daring Article, who won despite finding the trip and the ground against him last time.
Ruby Walsh got a great tune out of him over the last couple of fences and he did really well to peg back Canaly.
Conditions are spot on now and the way he made up the ground last time suggests he is still ahead of the handicapper.
The star of the show at Kempton is obviously Sprinter Sacre. If he’s ever going to get beaten it will be in the williamhill.com Desert Orchid Chase (2.30) because he is taking on the second-best two-miler around in Sire De Grugy on ground that will suit Gary Moore’s horse better.
It was tempting to take the 9-2 about Sire De Grugy, but he still has loads to find and a better-value bet is Valoroso in the William Hill – Bet On The Move Handicap Chase (3.05).
The first time Valoroso caught my eye was when he fell at the last when miles clear of some good horses at Wincanton last January, and he went on to beat a decent horse of Jonjo O’Neill’s at Ffos Las on heavy ground afterwards.
On his seasonal reappearance he ran on ground too fast over a trip short of his ideal at Newbury, but he still performed with credit, and with that effort under his belt he looks to have a big chance.
Back at Leopardstown, I want to take on Arvika Legeonniere and Sizing Europe in the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase (1.20) and, back at 2m, Hidden Cyclone might be overpriced at 14-1.
He ran a cracker in the Paddy Power when trying to give nearly a stone to those who beat him, especially as he was keen early, and he has a good record at 2m on soft ground.

Today's bets


Hidden Cyclone
1.20 Leopardstown
1pt win at 14-1 generally


Sraid Padraig
2.55 Leopardstown
1pt win at 16-1 Betfred (14-1 generally)


Daring Article
2.55 Leopardstown
1pt win at 14-1 with Boylesports or Hills


Valoroso
3.05 Kempton
1pt win at 8-1 with Boylesports (7-1 365)