Horses To Avoid / Timeform / 06 November 2008 / Leave a comment

Looking to lay? These two are an unreliable pair...

Nicky Richards' Faasel underlined his unreliability with a sour effort in the West Yorkshire Hurdle on his return to action at Wetherby on Saturday.

The seven-year-old came under pressure fully five out and was soon left well behind in the straight. He has just one success to his name since his juvenile hurdling season, that coming in a beginners' chase at Catterick in January 2007, and is definitely one to 'lay' rather than 'back'.

With the form of his yard as it is, it might seem foolhardy to have second thoughts about backing any of Paul Nicholls' runners at present but Predateur really is one to be wary of.

Lining up in a beginners' chase at Stratford last Thursday, the five-year-old boasted by far the best form of those to have previously run over fences, having twice been runner-up in Grade 2 company last winter. But once again he showed he's no battler, finding little from the home turn and even losing second on the line, finishing four lengths behind the winner Crescent Island. He's clearly got the ability to win a similar event, but will no doubt continue to go off at a shorter price than one of his temperament should.