friday 2nd december hugh taylors tips good luck

IDONKCALLU

The Devon Marathon at Exeter today (1.30) might be a race where we don’t see too many finishers; not only is it run over a marathon trip, but the field has plenty of dodgy jumpers and, moreover, a number of lazy/ungenuine types who will test their riders’ skill to the limit under the current whip regulations. However, top weight INCENTIVISEgenerally jumps soundly and seems very genuine, whilst he looks just the type to do well in these lesser marathon events, as stamina seems his strong point; he produced a battling performance to win over 3m6f at Bangor last season, and ran well in a quite classy Grade Three event at Warwick over 3m5f next time. He shaped well over an inadequate trip on his reappearance at Bangor, staying on well in the closing stages but never able to land a blow in a competitive 0-135 event, and he is taken to outclass his rivals here. I’m hoping Jake Greenall, who had a bad fall yesterday, will be ok to ride, as his 5lb claim will be useful given Incentivise isn’t the biggest horse; on his Twitter feed last night Greenall said he was just bruised and hoped to be able to ride.

QUASI CONGAREE is up against it at first glance in the 6f handicap at Lingfield (2.55), but his last four defeats are all possible to excuse, and with his stable in terrific form he looks worth chancing at big prices. After a couple of excellent performances at Newmarket in August, he probably found the ground against him on his next two starts, and his effort at Goodwood two outings ago needs marking up, as he was drawn high and raced in what appeared to be the unfavoured stands side group; amongst the high-drawn horses that day were Elna Bright (finished sixth), who won next time, Baliista (14th) who was third next time, Steps (16th) who won next time, and We Have A Dream (17th) who was second next time, all of those runs coming in competitive handicaps with double-figure fields. Quasi Congaree’s latest run is also easy to ignore as the reins broke and he became unsteerable, and whilst he’s never been the most consistent, the stable’s two 6f handicappers on Wednesday both won and Quasi Congaree is definitely overpriced here.

At Wolverhampton tonight (6.10), ENTRANCE has to prove she can stay 1m4f, but she looked worth another try at the trip when staying on well at the end of a strongly-run 1m2f contest at Lingfield last time. She never looked like reaching the first two home that day, but those two horses were well ahead of their respective marks and Entrance finished with running in her after encountering trouble and being shuffled back on the home turn. This looks a weaker race and she has useful claimer Adam Beschizza taking 3lb off here, so it will be disappointing if she doesn’t go close.

HUGH'S BEST BETS (SCALE 1-5 POINTS):

1.30 EXETER

1pt win INCENTIVISE (6-1 Bet365, Ladbrokes*)

2.55 LINGFIELD

2pts win QUASI CONGAREE (14-1 bet365, Boylesports, 12-1 general)

6.10 WOLVERHAMPTON

1pt win ENTRANCE (6-1 Ladbrokes, 11-2 bet365, Paddy Power, 5-1 Betfred, Boylesports, William Hill*)

SALT1R3

Incentivise won! Pity I didn't place it in time, dohh!!

Oh well, fingers crossed on the other two!