In the Bet365 West Yorkshire Hurdle (2.45) at Wetherby on Saturday, former winning point-to-pointer Ballyoptic made excellent progress over hurdles last season, culminating win a game win from subsequent Grade One winner Bellshill in the Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, over an extended 3 miles, at Aintree last April. The King’s Theatre gelding demonstrated his well being with another game win in the Totepool Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle, over 2 miles 3½ furlongs, at Chepstow three weeks ago and, stepping back up in distance, must take all the beating. The going at Wetherby is currently good but, with an unsettled forecast for the rest of the week, some easing of the ground is a distinct possibility. Any rain that falls is in his favour, but he should run his race regardless of the weather in West Yorkshire and he looks a worthy favourite.
Selection: Wetherby 2.45 Ballyoptic (3/1 with Betfred or Totesport) to win
The European Senior Tour returns to Italy for the first time since 2010 on Thursday with the Italian Senior Open at Golf Club Udine and there are reasons for believing that Peter Fowler (13/2) is a worthwhile favourite to carry off the lion’s share of the €350,000 prize money. The 57-year-old Australian is still in search of his first title of the season, but has been nothing if not consistent, recording six top ten finishes from ten starts, including tied sixth in the Paris Legends Championship and tied fourth in the Travis Perkins at Woburn on his last two outings.
In the 4.15 at Hereford on Thursday, The Tourard Man was put back over hurdles after an abortive spell over fences last winter, but has done nothing wrong this time around and can complete a five-timer. Twice a winner in the point-to-point sphere earlier in his career, the Shantou gelding has looked much more the finished article over the larger obstacles on his last two starts and, while he didn’t have to be at his best to beat the only other finisher, 125/1 outsider The Jugopolist, at Southwell in August, he did so with consummate ease.