In the final column before Christmas, Alan Dudman is going big with an each-way 87/1 Sportsbook double at Ffos Las on Thursday with a pair of Evan Williams' runners...
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Hurricane Highway shaped well on debut
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Bold Plan takes a drop in class
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Today's two selections pay out 87/1 on the Sportsbook multiple for Alan Dudman
Hurricane can lead the way for first selection
Back Hurricane Highway @ 11.010/1 in the 12:40 at Ffos Las
A good start for the Ffos Las action today and an above-average looking 2m4f Novices' Hurdle, and Evan Williams' Hurricane Highway shaped with enough promise on his debut last time to improve on his second start at a big price.
The 4yo was given a fair bit to do from the back of the field at Chepstow in a race won by Knowsley Road, who had made the running and was well clear heading into the long straight, but Hurricane Highway made serene progress and wouldn't have appreciated the final hurdle being left out either. His jumping was good for a debutant and stayed on without ever really being asked a question.
The timefigure from Chepstow was also good and he shaped with more than enough ability to suggest there's something to work with and the third and sixth have since boosted the form with victories, with the third landing a handicap easily from 115.
He cost 90,000 at the Aintree Goffs Sale following a 10L PTP win in Ireland and it goes without saying for a horse who races for the Rucker family that he is more of a long term project, especially with a trip down the line. But at 10/1 and a drifting price this morning, he looks an each-way pick.
Williams shows a healthy +20.25 profit to level stakes in five seasons at the track, and rider Adam Wedge holds a 19% strike-at Ffos Las in five seasons from his 35 winners.
Top weight still nicely treated
Back Bold Plan @ 8.07/1 in the 14:40 at Ffos Las
I am hoping Williams can train a couple of winners today and if you are playing with an each-way multiple in mind, the 14:40 2m4f Handicap Hurdle with three places and 10 runners leads me to Bold Plan at 7s.
He took advantage of a falling mark last season to reel off a hat-trick of victories and was the horse who gave Isabel Williams her first ever Cheltenham winner at last spring's April meeting when he took the honours in a Class 2 event. He's in a Class 3 today.
This season hasn't gone right for whatever reasons. He looked in need of the outing on his return in a Pertemps Qualifier back in November at Kempton, and then unseated at the sixth at Aintree earlier this month. His jumping had been big prior to that and he looked to completely guess at one over the far side
Today is a drop in class and even though he is top weight from 131, he still looks on a mark he can win from on his old form and has always had a nice turn of foot for a stayer.