Daily Betting Advice / Mark Powell-Bevan / 12 February 2011 /

Newbury will be the main focus of attention today but, arguably, the best bets come elsewhere...

The first of today's bets, Primo de Vida, was actually a winning selection for the Free Form team earlier in the month. The idea that day was that the drop to 6f would be in his favour and that duly proved the case, making all by 3½ lengths from Sailing North. Primo de Vida is back in handicap company today, in the Lingfield 14:35, but the assessor seems to have overlooked what he achieved last time, able to race off a mark of just 70. There was no fluke about the improvement Primo de Vida showed last time, his effort backed up by the clock, and though there's a chance he could end up getting in a speed duel in a competitive race today, he's too well treated to let him go unbacked at a current price of [8.0].

This time last year we were watching the Ipso Facto Syndicate's Joe Jo Star chase home last month's King George winner, Long Run, in the Kingmaker Novices' Chase at Warwick. Finian's Rainbow looks the one to beat in that contest this time around but today's second selection comes just over an hour later, in the staying novice, where Alfie Sherrin will be looking to add to his Wetherby success. The ex-Paul Nicholls inmate was only fourth on his chasing debut for Jonjo O'Neill at Bangor but was much improved when beating Knockavilla by 7 lengths at Wetherby. Alfie Sherrin has got plenty of scope to improve on that effort judged by his hurdling form, and he looks a pretty fluent jumper, too, so it's well worth backing him at around [2.7].

We move north of the border for the final selection, where What A Steel makes appeal in the handicap hurdle at 16:30. Alistair Whillans' gelding has had seven starts over hurdles yet still retains a Timeform 'p', which says much about how things have gone for him. Last time, at Market Rasen, he looked particularly unlucky, forced to wait for a run as a loose horse caused havoc from two out before finishing strongly under hands and heels, beaten little over 3 lengths into third by Apache Chant. The winner let the form down next time, but a couple of other winners have emerged and it's to be hoped that What A Steel is another.

Recommendations

Back Primo de Vida @ [8.0] Lingfield 14:35
Back Alfie Sherrin @ [2.7] Warwick 15:45
Back What A Steel @ [4.5] Ayr 16:30

Want to get the Timeform Jury's views on all of Saturday's terrestrial TV races? Then call TV Focus - find out more by clicking HERE.

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