Champion Jockey Elect Richard Johnson Another Likely Hero at Catterick

This afternoon’s turf card at Catterick must pass an 8am inspection with the prospect of NH racing during the week looking bleak to put it mildly. Tomorrow’s card at Lingfield has already been abandoned and the North Yorkshire track could similarly fall victim to the elements with the ground currently described as heavy, in what should turn the opening Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle an almighty slog.

Dan Skelton’s Yes I Did runs under a double penalty having bolted-up last week at Sedgefield and, whilst she is respected seeking a third hurdles success, preference likes instead with John Quinn’s Kilas Girl (2.10) under Richard Johnson. The selection hasn’t been sighted since finishing second in a pair of novices’ hurdles last spring but is bred to appreciate the step up in trip and can shed the maiden tag at the fourth attempt over timber.

Johnson can double-up aboard Another Hero (4.10) in the feature 3m Handicap Chase over. Jonjo O’Neill’s well-bred 7-y-o remains unexposed over fences and couldn’t have been more impressive when returning from a short break to make it 2/2 over fences under Johnson last time out at Ludlow. The handicapper has raised him 5lb for that performance but the way he travelled through the race suggests there was plenty left in the tank and he can complete the hat-trick en-route to a tilt at next month’s Cheltenham Festival; where he is a 25/1 chance with BetVictor for both the 3m Handicap Chase and the Kim Muir.

The Donald McCain yard look likely to be quiet during this year’s festival but Askamore Darsi (3.10) could well prove a horse for Aintree and could book his ticket to the 2016 Grand National meeting with success in this afternoon’s Novices’ Handicap Chase. The selection has been a revelation since making a winning reappearance at Market-Rasen in December, following-up in similar contests thereafter at Doncaster and Sedgefield on his preferred soft ground. The selection has been raised just 6lb for those three wins and can claim a fourth under regular partner Henry Brooke.

The ground will similarly be soft at Plumpton with the ground officially described as ‘heavy’ and David Pipe’s Bella (2.00) a confident selection to relish conditions in the opening Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. The 5-y-o made a winning reappearance in similar conditions at Ludlow when springing a 25/1 upset under Tom Scudamore and can follow-up back in easier competition under 5lb conditional David Noonan.

Just three go to post for the Novices’ Handicap Chase over the minimum trip with Gary Moore’s G1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase winner Ar Mad (2.30) fancied to give 19lb and a beating to his two rivals under regular partner Joshua Moore. The selection followed-up his impassive Sandown success with the defeat of Vaniteux at Kempton over Christmas and looks one of the most exciting 2m Novice Chaser in the country. The son of Tiger Groom is 10/1 with BetVictor for the Arkle Chase on the opening day of the festival and 11/4 to fare best of the rest in the betting without 4/9 favourite Douvan.

The Moores can double-up with Generous Helpings (3.30) in the Novice’s Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles, with the 8-y-o surely due a change of luck after unseating his rider on both starts since returning from an absence of over 18 months at Lingfield in December. He was entitled to strip fitter for that return and was in the process of running a huge race when stepped up in trip last month at Doncaster, prior to Joshua Moore ending the partnership with the gelding three out. The handicapper has dropped him 6lb for those two efforts but he looks potentially chucked-in providing he stays the marathon trip and doesn’t fall victim to Plumpton’s challenging obstacles.

For all the latest odds head to BetVictor.com

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Josh Charnley too big at 14/1 with BetVictor to be named Man of the Match at Huddersfield

Wigan travel to the John Smith Stadium this evening to face a Huddersfield Giants side missing upwards of nine players through injury, with the Warriors well- backed to leave with the spoils. Luke Robinson was forced to cut time on his career midweek with the 31-year-old retiring under doctors order and that combined with Scott Grix being ruled out for 4-5 months has seen the Giants ease 14/1 (from 10s) with BetVictor to win a first Super League Grand Final in October.

Paul Anderson’s side were similarly eased to 12/1 (from 9s) to win a second League Leader’s Shield after last weekend’s 30-16 defeat at St Helens and will struggle to challenge for hours this term. Giants skipper Danny Brough limped off during last weekend’s 30-16 defeat to the Saints at Langtree Park and as such the Giants have been friendless to make a winning seasonal reappearance on home soil. BetVictor make Shaun Wane’s side 12-point favourites on the handicap for this evening’s trip across the Pennines; Huddersfield +12 10/11 and the draw 20/1.

Huddersfield v Wigan MOTM prices from BetVictor
George Williams 11/2
Matty Smith 11/2
Josh Bateman 10/1
Dom Manfredi 12/1
Josh Charnley 14/1
Sean O’Loughlin 14/1

Wigan are the market leaders for both the regular season and the outright, 9/4 and 11/4 respectively with BetVictor and should run out comfortable winners in West Yorkshire. BetVictor have Man of the Match betting available on all live Super League games and make last year’s young player of the year George Williams and team-mate Matty Smith the 11/2 joint-favourites but there’s plenty of value elsewhere and several at double-figure prices that catch the eye.

Wigan skipper Sean O’Loughlin looks a big price at 14/1 but so does winger Josh Charnley, who is given the nod to punish a vulnerable Giants’ defence. Charnley boasts a terrific record against the Giants, scoring twice in Wigan’s 32-8 win in Huddersfield last season and looks a massive price at 6/1 with BetVictor to score the first try and 14/1 to be named the man of the match.

Charnley is 66/1 with BetVictor to be named Super League’s Man of Steel but should shorten if crossing the whitewash in a Wigan win this evening. He warrants supporting alongside team-mates George Williams and Sean O’Loughlin; 18s and 20s respectively to be named the league’s best player at the end of the season.

http://www.betvictor.com/sports/en/rugby-league/coupons/364600/111377110/684272200/0/0/PE/0/0/0/0/0

For all the latest odds head to BetVictor.com

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