Rhys Williams' Wednesday Racing Tips: Cheng Gong to make all

Potential tactical advantage

Taunton 16:55: Cheng Gong 1pt win 7/2

Just four line up in the opening novices' hurdle at Taunton and Mon Frere is the odds-on favourite. He ran ok on hurdling debut last month but no better than that so the market is clearly expecting him to improve for the longer trip and the cheekpieces being reapplied. While that could happen, I think one of his rivals is being underestimated by the market.

Cheng Gong was caught late on over C&D earlier this month by one of Mon Frere's stablemates, Chez Hans. He was sent to the front from the start that day and had plenty of his rivals in trouble at the end of the back straight while he was still travelling well. He was about four lengths clear turning into the home straight and was pushed along. He still held a clear lead at 2 out but Chez Hans started to close going to the last and, with Cheng Gong drifted slightly left in the closing stages, Chez Hans caught him late on.

These front running tactics clearly suit Cheng Gong and he may not face much pressure for the lead today. Ginistrelli seems likely to be held up over this trip, I'm not sure Mon Frere wants to be in front too soon and Smartmandarcy seems unlikely to make the running. The key is that Tom Bellamy gets it right as he needs to go steady enough so that he puts himself at an advantage, while potentially harming Mon Frere's chance as he doesn't have much of a turn of foot, and then to not repeat the error of last time in trying to win the race leaving the back straight.

Cheng Gong can just not fancy it and throw in the odd shocking run but I think the market is underestimating his chance and any 11/4 or bigger appeals.