Our tipster Karl Hedley provides the odds for the week's races
THURSDAY
LEICESTER
1-00 KNIGHTON NOVICES HURDLE – 2 MILES
Spice Fair looks to be an intriguing runner in the opening race at Leicester on Thursday. A useful stayer on the flat, he won seven of his forty nine starts and was placed on another fourteen occasions. He made his hurdling debut over this course and distance a couple of weeks ago. Having been held up for most of the race, he moved through to lead near the end and was only just collared by the unexposed Fingers Crossed. David Crosse is set to take the ride once again and the duo are likely to make their presence known.
Siobhans Beauty has a few entries this week and he was made a fair debut at Tipperary when finishing second in a field on thirteen behind Fruits Of Molly. This is his first start for Jamie Snowden and he with obvious improvement expected, he has to be considered a threat.
Myboyalfie like the selection was a decent performer on the level. He seems to have lost his way in recent starts and John Jenkins will be hoping that putting obstacles in front of him may reignite his interest. If producing anywhere near his best form from the flat here, he definitely has the ability to go close. Spice Fair does have experience to rely upon and that can see him home in front here and he can shed his maiden tag over obstacles at the second time of asking.
FRIDAY
SANDOWN
1-55 NEPTUNE INVESTMENT NOVICES HURDLE (GRADE 2) – 2 M 4 F
Vyta Du Roc looked fully at home on soft ground at Cheltenham when winning a similar event. He got the better of Emerging Talent following an epic duel at Prestbury Park and they in turn pulled some thirteen lengths clear of the remainder indicating that the form would be quite useful. The ground is likely to be something similar here and with Barry Geraghty once again likely to be in the saddle, the combination ought to prove tough to beat.
Shantou Bob has won all three previous starts for Warren Greatrex including on bottomless ground at Lingfield last time. Gavin Sheehan knows the six year old inside out and they may provide the sternest opposition to the selection.
Come On Laurie seems to have adjusted to life at Oliver Sherwood’s yard in excellent fashion. He has won his only two starts for the stable, but the better the ground, the better his chances would seem to be. Vyta Du Roc remains undefeated for Nicky Henderson and it would be of little surprise if it were to remain that way following this race.
See More: Karl Hedley, Midweek Betting
