BEST of the BETS

This probably isn’t a bad maiden hurdle, last year Olly Murphy had the winner Yensir who has since won his next 3 races, runner up Artful Artist (rated 116 at the time) from Richard Newland yard also won next time as did the 3rd. Both these trainers are represented again and have good records here. Murphy runs the fav Emerald Rocket who finished a close 2nd behind 119-rated stablemate Swaffham Bulbeck over c&d on hurdling debut 3 months ago, 3rd horse failed to give his running that day. He should be thereabouts again, but I have gone with the riskier option of YCCS PORTOCERVO (9/2), who did not get very far on his British debut at Warwick, running out at the first hurdle, that looked a good race with runner up rated 110, and selection had been as short as 2/1 in morning but was weak in the ring going off at 9/2. That first run makes him a risky proposition but he had plenty of hurdling experience in France and has a nice pedigree, dam unraced half-sister to Grade 1 winning French hurdler Grivette, so I think it maybe too soon to write him off. 2nd fav Gateway To Europe also has a chance based on his debut 2nd at Warwick (though that race lacked depth), but Neil King is 0-35 (8 placed) in maiden hurdles here, admittedly only 5 of those were in first two in betting.

Small bet on Yccs Portocervo @ 9/2

Good luck.