Timeform 1-2-3 Tips: Monday January 31

Daily Betting Advice / Mark Powell-Bevan / 31 January 2011 /

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Two of today's selections come from Ayr

"Blackpool Billy has shaped with plenty of promise when runner-up on his last two starts over fences, going down to the useful Alfie Flits at Kelso and then showing himself well handicapped at Catterick last time."

It was a good weekend for the 1-2-3 column, with Grands Crus doing the business in the Cleeve and two winners on Sunday, but all that does is pile the pressure on for today...

With Ludlow abandoned, Ayr stages the only jumps meeting in Britain today. Benny Be Good has to shoulder a penalty in the novice chase at 14:15 but is still the one to beat judged on the manner of his Sedgefield success back in November. A progressive hurdler, Benny Be Good wasn't particularly fluent on his chasing debut at Carlisle but really got his act together when scoring by 3¾ lengths last time, jumping efficiently under a positive ride and showing a good attitude to get on top. Premier Sagas and Catch Bob will be the biggest dangers, but Benny Be good was their superior over hurdles and is set to prove the same over fences.

The handicap chase later on the card looks much weaker than the novice, so it should really be a good opportunity for Blackpool Billy to land his first win over the bigger obstacles. Blackpool Billy has shaped with plenty of promise when runner-up on his last two starts over fences, going down to the useful Alfie Flits at Kelso and then showing himself well handicapped at Catterick last time, quite severely hampered at the second and then blundering badly at the second last, when still going powerfully on the bridle. A reproduction of that form should be enough to see him win today, but chances are there's plenty of improvement still in him.

Today's final selection comes in the last race at Wolverhampton, where Aphrodisia can land the fillies' handicap. Aphrodisia hails from the in-form Ian Williams stable and caught the eye on her return from a three-month break at Kempton last time, held up after a customary slow start and making good headway late on to finish fourth to Eseej. The way she travelled that day was what was most notable about the run, leaving the impression she's a well-handicapped mare off a mark of 74 (finished third on turf in the summer off 83), and today's race looks a weaker contest than that one at Kempton.

Recommendations

Back Benny Be Good @ [3.5] Ayr 14:15
Back Blackpool Billy @ [2.5] Ayr 15:25
Back Aphrodisia @ [2.5] Wolverhampton 17:20

Today's prices are used as a guide only. They are taken from the Betfair tissues on https://www.timeform.com/free/