Horse Racing Betting Tips: George will be doing the Double Shuffle after Kempton highlight
TOM GEORGE has trained some very decent horses in his career and one of his very best was the dashing grey Nacarat.
The son of Smadoun won the Grade One Aintree Bowl in 2011, but he will perhaps be best remembered for his two runaway victories in what was then the Racing Post Chase at Kempton.
Different sponsors have come and gone since then and tomorrow’s race will be run for the first time as the 888Sport Handicap Chase (3.35pm).
Nacarat’s record in this handicap was remarkable. He won the 2009 edition by nine lengths, was then placed for the next two years, before coming back to land the 2012 renewal by 11 lengths.
Comparisons with Desert Orchid were a bit far-fetched but, like Dessie, he was a very popular grey who showed his best form at Kempton.
The same can be said for DOUBLE SHUFFLE who I hope can give George his third win in this valuable contest.
The nine-year-old was only beaten a length by Might Bite in the 2017 King George when an unheralded 50/1 shot.
He went up 14lbs for that run to a mark of 166 but he’s now back down to 154, which I’m sure he can be competitive off.
George last time to finish fifth and he will appreciate the decent ground tomorrow.
Beaten just half a length in this race two years ago, he looks a solid each-way bet at 8/1 despite the burden of top weight.
George has had a few winners over the past few days and he would love to get this son of Milan’s head back in front.
The obvious danger is Glen Rocco who bolted up over course and distance last month.
Prior to that he finished second to Glen Forsa on Boxing Day in what was a red hot handicap chase
The form has been franked numerous times, but he’s gone up 13lbs for his last success and is a best-priced 7/2 with Coral.
Paul Nicholls had a Saturday to remember last weekend and he is set to run three with Adrien Du Pont the shortest in the market at 9/2.
He was very impressive over course and distance at Christmas, although a 7lb hike in the weights will make things tougher.
Talkischeap and Rather Be both have claims, but I’m happy to stick with Double Shuffle each-way as my sole selection.
There should be plenty of Cheltenham Festival clues on offer on the rest of the card, with a number of intriguing novice contests.
Nicky Henderson has won the Sky Bet Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (3.00pm) a record eight times and he has another great chance with ANGELS BREATH.
The five-year-old has only been seen once on British shores – an impressive win by over four lengths at Ascot in December.
That catapulted him into favouritism for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and although a few questioned the form with only four hurdles being jumped, you had to be impressed by how easily he put the race to bed.
Henderson thinks a lot of him and he can make it two from two under rules at even-money with Ladbrokes.
Earlier on the card, I like the chances of Nicholls’ SECRET INVESTOR at 11/4 with Coral in the 888Sport Pendil Novices’ Chase (1.50pm).
Nicholls’ inmate has some solid form, including a good second to Ok Corral last time.
The 10-time champion trainer has won the race in three of the last four seasons and Secret Investor can keep the yard’s purple patch going.
Over at Chepstow, I will be backing Henderson’s DICKIE DIVER in the 2m 3½f maiden hurdle (2.30pm).
He was beaten just a head by Lisnagar Oscar at Chepstow last month and the winner took a Grade Two hurdle at Haydock last weekend by 10 lengths.
Dickie Diver can land this before having a crack at the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
POINTERS SATURDAY
Secret Investor 1.50pm Kempton
Dickie Diver 2.30pm Chepstow
Angels Breath 3.00pm Kempton
Double Shuffle e/w 3.35pm Kempton