Not so much a special, but a Request-A-Bet on SkyBet - P Nicholls to have 3 or more winners 8/1 - Now, initially I sat there thinking that is a pretty poor price, probably wanted at least another 6pts on top of that before considering it, then I decided to take a look at his potential list of runners for the festival (in no particular order):
Frodon - Currently about 11th in the betting of the Ryanair though I suspect at least 5 or 6 ahead of him currently will not run in this race anyway, and although would need to improve must go with a chance of some sort after his latest facile success over c&d.
Movewiththetimes - Being owned by JP a few members on here fancied this horse early on as a potential handicap plot, and that could still be on the agenda, currently in the betting in a few races at the festival, including the Close Brothers Handicap on day 1.
Black Corton - Probably has it all to do in the RSA, but a model of consistency this season and wouldn't be the biggest shock if he ran a big race.
Diego Du Charmil - Be surprised if he goes for the Arkle, as looked well held by the current 3rd favourite for that race, but is fairly handicapped and has festival form, will likely go with a solid chance, I suspect down the handicap route, for whichever race he contests.
Connetable - I'm actually surprised he is as big as he is for the Pertemps, but does have a knack for finding at least one too good, looks as though handicapper has his measure, but is consistent enough.
Old Guard & Topofthegame - Both entered in the Coral Cup and for me both with big chances. The former is also entered in the Stayers' but I'll be surprised if he goes down that route having been held by a couple this season that are more prominent in the betting for that race.
Politologue - Has it all to do to even get close to Altior in the Champion Chase, but stranger things have happened over time!
Act Of Valour & Sao - Two very well thought of juveniles, both likely to go with big chances in the Fred Winter, many on the forum are already on at least one of them already, but maybe one of Nicholls' stronger chances of a win during the festival.
Modus - Support, after his win at the weekend, in the JLT, and must go with a fair chance, given how the opposition is now looking fairly weak with some expected runners to take up engagements in the RSA as opposed to here at the festival.
Wonderful Charm, Pacha Du Polder, Virak & Caid Du Berlais - Probably Nicholls' best chance of a winner at the festival comes in the Foxhunters where he looks to have a strong hand. The 5/1 SkyBet Request-A-Bet for him to train the winner of this race is certainly a bet worth taking IMO.
Other horses: Cyrname, Capitaine, Clan Des Obeaux, Romain De Senam, Le Prezien, Bouvreuil, Divin Bere, Saphir De Rheu, Dolos & San Benedeto are just some of the others he has to play his hand with, some of which look well handicapped to increase his chance of having that 3 or more winners for this bet to come off!
Just my thoughts on his current crop, and whilst I would have liked to have had a bigger price, but as I don't actually have many of his covered yet I thought I'd go in on the 8/1 for small stakes.
I will certainly be making notes of the handicap horses that find money coming for them when all weights are out and the week before the festival kicks off.
