Jamie Clark was Sports Editor of Coral bookmakers between 2014 and 2017 during their merger with Labrokes and a key period for the British betting industry. Working as a bookie’s runner on the point to point circuit in the Midlands and at Market Rasen Racecourse where his late godfather had a trackside pitch growing up, he has had ties to horse racing all of his life. A regular visitor to Cheltenham during the National Hunt season and York over the summer, he has been involved in Horsebetting.com since its inception. Jamie now brings you his take on major news stories from the racing world and those all-important betting tips.
Could this be the day when Waiting Patiently pays off?
Waiting Patiently has always looked like he might win a staying chase, so it could be worth chancing him in the 3m 1f Grade 1 Betway Bowl at Aintree this Thursday (14:50). Trained by Ruth Jefferson, this lightly-raced 10-year-old has been consistent without winning over the last three years.
We don’t see Waiting Patiently often, so his name is apt. He won all five of his starts for Ruth’s late father Malcolm and then recorded a poignant success in the 2018 Ascot Chase after his passing. Waiting Patiently has only had six starts since, and was unlucky when unseating regular rider Brian Hughes in the first of those.
The Flemensfirth gelding has recorded five subsequent placed efforts over a variety of trips. They include a staying on length third to Defi Du Seuil in the 2019 Tingle Creek at Sandown and when chasing home Frodon in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day this winter.
Waiting Patiently didn’t have the pace to go with First Flow or old rival Politologue in the Clarence House at Ascot last time out. Based on his effort in the King George, however, when in front of the re-opposing Clan Des Obeaux, this trip should suit. Waiting Patiently is 7/2 with Betfair for victory.
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We know plenty about those towards the head of the Betway Bowl betting. Clan Des Obeaux is a dual King George winner who hasn’t quite run up to that form this season. Now a nine-year-old, Paul Nicholls’ charge comes to Aintree as a beaten favourite on his last two starts.
The son of Kapgarde has six lengths to find with Waiting Patiently on their Kempton run. He also found giving 6lb too much for stable companion Secret Investor in the Denman Chase at Newbury last time out. Clan Des Obeaux is thus far from a solid 5/2 favourite with Betfred here, while others have question marks too.
Native River is the only course and distance winner in the line-up, but now 11. Colin Tizzard’s 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero won the Cotswold Chase this winter and ran fourth at the Festival. It’s a sharp turnaround for him, however, coming here. Native River is 4/1 with Boylesports for another Aintree win.
Dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll contests the Betway Bowl rather than going for a hat-trick in the world’s most famous steeplechase. This seems to be about proving to the handicapper that he’s no longer worthy of his lofty rating. The fact remains that Tiger Roll hasn’t won a race over regulation fences for four years.
Mister Fisher interesting up in trip
It’s a trappy renewal of the Betway Bowl, then, and Mister Fisher tries the trip for the first time. Trained by Nicky Henderson, this seven-year-old by Jeremy is the youngest in the line-up and thus open to most improvement. His handler has always stressed that a sound surface is what he wants.
Mister Fisher gets that at Aintree. Although pulling up on two of his last three starts, including at the Cheltenham Festival when outpaced by Allaho in the Ryanair Chase, he has still won a race this season. That came on his penultimate outing in the Peterborough Chase.
The way that Mister Fisher kept on in that, and when fourth in the Marsh behind Samcro at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, suggests he’s well worth trying over further. You’re gambling on him getting it, but the going certainly favours him.
Those available at bigger odds all have plenty to find on official ratings with the top horses. The Betway Bowl is definitely more open than the betting suggests, however. Mister Fisher could easily hit the frame, and is 17/2 with BetVictor to do just that.
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