Rory Delargy delivers today's Punting Pointers and he has three selections at Wincanton.
Racing betting tips: Thursday January 16
0.5pts e.w Latin Verse in the 2.35 Wincanton at 14/1 (Hills, Bet365 1/5 1,2,3,4) – min 12/1
0.5pts e.w Grozni in the 3.10 Wincanton at 18/1 (Paddy Power, BetVictor 1/5 1,2,3,4) – min 14/1
1pt win My Silver Lining in the 3.45 Wincanton at 9/1 (Bet365) – min 15/2
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2:35 Wincanton – Class 4 (0-120) Handicap Hurdle 2m 3f 179y
Kado de Joie is on a hat-trick and could do better again if staying this longer trip, but there might be some value in sticking with LATIN VERSE, whose best form has come when racing right-handed on testing ground. He was back to form when 2nd to Gold For Alec at Huntingdon two starts ago, and he had little chance the way he was ridden upped in trip at Taunton last time. He does have stamina to prove over this trip, but the track will suit him well and he’s worth chancing at a double-figure price.
3:10 Wincanton – Class 3 (0-130) Handicap Hurdle 3m 150y
GROZNI was a respectable 6th in the Kim Muir last year having made the move from Charles Byrnes to James Owen, and he bounced back to form on his second start after a break when beating North Parade over hurdles at Wetherby on Boxing Day. That return to his best coincided with the fitting of a visor and he holds every chance with the headgear retained here. Both the runs mentioned came under 5lb claimer Alex Chadwick who is aboard once more and Grozni has plenty in his favour as he bids to follow up.
James Owen remains in very good form, and seven winners from 29 runners since New Year’s Day is an excellent return from a handler who impresses with how well he places his horses.
3:45 Wincanton - Somerset National Handicap Chase (0-140) 3m 2f 162y
MY SILVER LINING started the season with a couple of disappointing efforts, but Emma Lavelle’s mare is generally reliable and got back on track when 8½ lengths third of 13 to Lady Balko in a mares chase at Hereford last time. She is now 5lb lower than when an excellent third in the Midlands National last March and only 4lb higher than when winning the Classic Chase at Warwick almost exactly a year ago.
Lavelle’s form figures since the turn of the year read 2215163113, showing the team at Ogbourne Maizey are in rude health, and My Silver Lining should relish the relative test of stamina.
5:30 Chelmsford – Restricted Maiden Stakes 7f
Such races aren’t normally on my radar, but the booking of Billy Loughnane for Harry Derham’s recent acquisition One Horse Town very much takes the eye, and although it won’t be easy to improve on what Joseph O’Brien has achieved with the son of Threat, the gelding may not have to progress to win for a yard which has an excellent record with recruits from other yards.
Just to recap in Derham’s record, he has sent out 64 runners which have previously run for other trainers, with a remarkable 25 of those winning, and anyone with the foresight to have a tenner on all of those runners would be €555 ahead at this stage.
Published at 1000 GMT on 16/01/25
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