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.
Echoes In Rain your best bet among Punchestown day 1 punts
Echoes In Rain could not have been more impressive when winning at Fairyhouse, so is a strong fancy for the 2m Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle on Punchestown Festival Tuesday (16:15). One of two in the race trained by Willie Mullins, this five-year-old Authorized mare improved for racing on a better surface.
An eight-length win over Belfast Banter in a Grade 2 at Naas in February has been franked and then some by the runner-up. That one has gone on to successes in both the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and then at the highest level around Aintree. It gives Echoes In Rain leading claims of the spoils.
I am not at all convinced by stable companion Blue Lord at this trip. Course specialist Dewcup may find this too hot, while the same applies to Colonel Mustard. Uhtred, meanwhile, is only racing for the second time after more than a year off. With question marks over all her rivals, and Echoes In Rain following-up in open company at Fairyhouse last time out, she has everything going for her.
The one negative is Mullins stable jockey Paul Townend riding Blue Lord instead. Crack amateur Patrick Mullins takes the ride on Echoes In Rain, who getting weight all-round just cannot be opposed at evens with BetVictor for her hat-trick here.
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
Colreevy overpriced on Punchestown Festival Tuedsay
In the extended 3m Grade 1 Champion Novice Chase later on the card (18:30), another Mullins mare in Colreevy looks overpriced in relation to her rivals. This eight-year-old daughter of Flemensfirth is four from four over fences and her chase form looks more substantial than the lauded opposition.
Colreevy needed every yard of the extended 2m 3f at Limerick over Christmas when landing the Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase. The third home that day, Janidil, has since come out and won the Fairyhouse Gold Cup in style. She then beat subsequent Kim Muir heroine Mount Ida by a dozen lengths under a penalty at Thurles.
As Colreevy prevailed in a ding-dong tussle with stable companion Elimay in the inaugural Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, and she too has come out and beat Mount Ida, the form looks really strong. Stepping up in trip shouldn’t be problem either. High-profile pair Envoi Allen and Monkfish have questions over them, meanwhile.
The former fell at Cheltenham, although it’s the only blemish in an otherwise glittering career. Monfkish is also unbeaten over fences, but didn’t convince at the meeting last month with his jumping. On adjusted ratings, Colreevy comes out just ahead of both because of a 7lb sex allowance. She is a 10/1 punt with Betfred to upset them.
Nube Negra a solid each-way bet in Punchestown Champion Chase
In the feature Grade 1 Punchestown Champion Chase over 2m (17:25), British raider Nube Negra looks a solid each-way bet. Trained by Dan Skelton, this Spanish bred seven-year-old became only the second horse to scalp Altior in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton on his return to action over Christmas.
Nube Negra has three wins and as many seconds in six starts over fences. He was also far from disgraced when held just half-a-length in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham last time out. On that running, it doesn’t make sense that the Dink gelding is five times the price of Chacun Pour Soi.
The form has been advertised by the fourth home, Greaneteen, winning the Grade 1 Celebration Chase at Sandown over the weekend. Allaho dropping back in distance after an awesome display of speed in the Ryanair Chase adds a new rival for Nube Negra, but he’s clearly overpriced in relation to Chacun Pour Soi.
I think the favourite, now aged nine, could be vulnerable to younger rivals. Conditions won’t suit Clarence House winner First Flow, the other British raider, either. On that basis, Nube Negra is well worth backing each-way at 6/1 with Betfair, who pay three places, on an intriguing Punchestown Festival Tuesday card.
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
New reg only. Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via ‘My Offers’ page within 30 days. 7 days to stake max £10 in-play, min odds 1/1 (2.0). Max. extra winnings £100. Once claimed, 30-day expiry. Cashed out, System & EW bets do not qualify. Other Promotional Play Restrictions Apply. T&Cs apply.
18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 on any football market at minimum 1/1 odds. No cash out. Get £40 in Free Bets on selected events. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Debit card/Apple Pay payments only. T&Cs apply, gambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.