The 2018 London National betting tips given by Horsebetting.com experts say the well-weighted Royal Vacation is the one to be on in the 3m 4f contest at Sandown on Saturday, 8 December, now eased in grade. Red Infantry scored in good style last time out and has a progressive profile, so rates the main danger. Actinpieces, meanwhile, looks weighted to go well at a big price and appeals each-way. Read our in-depth 2018 London National betting tips preview below for full details on these horses’ chances.Lots to like about class-dropping Royal Vacation in London NationalRoyal Vacation ran a stormer when runner-up last time out, so now eased in grade looks to hold outstanding claims of going one better and landing the spoils in the 3m 4f London National that brings proceedings to a close on Tingle Creek day at Sandown this Saturday (15:35).
That run came at Cheltenham where the Colin Tizzard trained eight-year-old found only Rock The Kasbah too good in a competitive 15-runner Grade 3 handicap over an extended 3m 3f. After tracking the leaders, the son of King’s Theatre went second after the last and stayed on really well on the run-in for pressure to get within 1 3/4 lengths of the winner.
The pair pulled five lengths clear of the third home Coneygree, and there were some smart performers in-behind. That gives the form a solid look and makes a 3lb rise in the weights looks more than fair.
A revised rating of 146 is just 3lb higher than when Royal Vacation was last successful at Cheltenham back in January 2017 when bolting up by eight lengths in a class 2. He was also placed last year in a Listed contest at Wetherby off 152, so undoubtedly remains well-treated on the pick of his form.
Royal Vacation also now drops back down into class 2 company in which he has a strike rate of 50 per cent, having won two of his four starts in it. This is also far easier than the aforementioned race at Cheltenham, while another plus is that he has his ideal underfoot conditions.
So, taking everything in account, Royal Vacation’s claims of landing a fourth success over fences in this look glaringly obvious. That’s why he had to be the main selection in our 2018 London National bettings tips.Red Infantry the main dangerRed Infantry scored in good style last time out and looks the obvious danger off just 5lb higher. This Ian Williams trained eight-year-old has a terrific strike rates of 43 per cent over fences, having won three times and been placed twice in seven starts.
In the last of those 14 days ago at Haydock over this trip, he landed a gamble when beating Bishops Road by 2 3/4 lengths. Despite being far from fluent two from home and idling approaching the last, the son of Indian River found plenty for pressure on the long run-in to win with more in hand than the winning margin.
It was a taking display and one which suggested there should be even better to come from Red Infantry. He now has to race off a career-high chase rating of 137 as a result, but is clearly going the right way and remains lightly-raced and unexposed in this sphere.
The step up to 3m 4f that day also suited Red Infantry down to the ground and he is versatile as regards going. Williams also continues to be among the winners and is a shrewd operator, whose runners always commend the utmost respect in valuable prizes like this.
Red Infantry also goes well for Robbie Dunne, who has won twice and been placed once in four starts on him and is now back in the saddle. A bold bid to follow-up looks assured and Red Infantry therefore looks sure to give Royal Vacation plenty to think about.Actinpieces the each-way valueIf there is to be a surprise, then Actinpieces could be the one to supply it. Trained by Pam Sly, this seven-year-old mare has won four times over fences and has some useful form in the book. In the last of those successes at Ludlow back in January, she ran on strongly to beat Aubusson by four lengths off a mark of 139.
Actinpieces got put up to a mark of 145 for that taking display, but ran arguably ran the race of her life off it when a staying on fifth of 20 to Missed Approach in the ultra-competitive Kim Muir Challenge Cup for amateur riders at the Cheltenham Festival when failing by only a length to snatch fourth.
That is strong form in relation to this contest, and the daughter of Act One is able to trace in it off 5lb lower. Her current rating of 140 is just 1lb higher than when last victorious, so that gives her major claims from a handicapping perspective.
Actinpieces also has a 40 per cent strike rate on the forecast ground at the services of regular pilot Gina Andrews in the saddle, who takes off a handy 3lb with her claim. Taking it into account, she looks weighted to run a huge race, so features as the each-way punt and completes our 2018 London National betting tips.Your Next Bet
