Bets Of The Day: No Hassle with Old Borough Cup selection

Alan Dudman
05 September 2015

Trainer Clive Cox will be bidding for victory in the Old Borough Cup on Saturday

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A well-backed runner-up and a heavily-punted rodeo act was the sum of Alan Dudman's efforts yesterday. Our man goes again for a busy Saturday, and has a bet in the big staying race at Haydock...

"His spell over hurdles was a disaster with Nicky Henderson, and now back with Clive Cox, he looks as though he's had a couple of 'looseners' before he comes in from his full run."

Back Hassle in place market @ 4.03/1 in the 14:35 at Haydock

14:00 Haydock - Back Mooharib

If the ground stays on the easy side at Haydock; and times were suggesting good to soft yesterday, I will be happy sticking with Mooharib - who a horse who needs a bit of cut.

He's supremely talented, and I hope it's not wasted as I feel he has a Group 3 in him. Who can forget his extravagant effort when touched off in the Lincoln earlier in the season? He always travels like a decent horse, so I'm pleased to see his trainer Marco Botti has reached for the cheekpieces.

I backed him in the Sovereign Stakes last time at Salisbury, and whilst disappointed with his finishing effort, his move which come to nothing could be down to the rustiness, as he had enjoyed a three month break beforehand. Quite a few of his rivals have a question mark in this race too.

He was deemed good enough to take his chance in the Lockinge earlier in the season, and the market might have underrated him after his flop last time. He was trading at 9.208/1 overnight.

14:35 Haydock - Back Hassle

With so many runners in a typically tough edition of the Old Borough Cup, it's the sort of race to handle with 'luck mittens'.

There's a case to be made for others of course - as pointed out by Tony Calvin elsewhere on the site, but I'd like to nominate Hassle to put in a decent run.

I doubt he has masses in hand from the handicapper racing off his mark of 95, but he wasn't beaten too far in last year's renewal. The ground this time will be easier (which he should be better on), and he does stay well so has no problems with a big field running over 1m6f.

His spell over hurdles was a disaster with Nicky Henderson, and now back with Clive Cox, he looks as though he's had a couple of 'looseners' before he comes in from his full run. I thought the ride he received in the Shergar Cup was poor (a phrase not normally associated with that meeting), but he's a very consistent horse and the yard's inmates are running well.

14:50 Ascot - Back-to-lay Hawkesbury

I keep notes on in-running horses, and although rather cruel in comment, the line I had on Hawkesbury early this season was 'he could be a bit of a dog'. A talented one granted - like the pup from BGT.

He's a strong traveller who carries his head high, and maybe he threw the race away at Thirsk last time. He is good back-to-lay material, and maybe the type for a short price lay in-running.

Saturday's Recommended Bets

Back Mooharib @ BSP in the 14:00 at Haydock
Back Hassle in place market @ 4.03/1 in the 14:35 at Haydock
Back-to-lay Hawkesbury in the 14:50 at Ascot (back at 16, lay at 4.0]