I must admit that I was tempted to just put all of Zac Purton’s rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday into a multiple and let that be the extent of my form study for this card. The Champion jockey has been in sparkling form so far this season and with 9 wins from 24 rides so far in this campaign, a strike rate of 37.5%, it would probably yield me some winners. Purton will probably add to his impressive tally, Chateauneuf (R1), Supreme Agility (R5) and Helene Feeling (R8) all look to have right profile for a Purton winner. However, the market is likely to take any real value out of their prices and so I will offer just 1 alternative selection on what looks to be a difficult punting card.
Race 3 (13:10 UK time) is a Class 4 handicap over 1,200 metres and I think that this looks to be a fantastic opportunity for Gallant Valour. A winner over this course and distance back in December, he finished in the frame on 7 of the 8 occasions that he ran last season and from a mark of 55, he looks handicapped to run his race once again. He likes to stalk the pace and with Lucky Planet drawn next to him in stall 3, he should get the ideal target to follow through the early stages. Lucky Planet was a winner here in July, but he has been hit with a 9-point rise for the new season as a result and it seems likely that the step up into class 5 may find him out. However, he is the most obvious pace angle and ought to set the race up for Gallant Valour to come with a late run in the straight.
The majority of this 9-runner field ended last season under a bit of a cloud and the 2 horses with winning form, Lucky Planet and Tactical Command, have a rise in class to deal with. For that reason, I felt that Gallant Valour is a solid bet (Win and Place) with a view that he won’t get too many better opportunities.
Advised Selection
13:10 – Gallant Valour 1pt Win & Place (2pts)
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