National Hunt expert Murt Khan is taking two against the field in the 2.15 at Huntingdon while he's sweet on Top Notch at Ascot.
2.15 Huntingdon preview
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Enjoy Responsibly joined Sam Thomas in late 2015 having raced in Ireland. He started life on British soil off a mark of 141 but having raced nine times in 2016 his mark collapsed to 110. After a year off he joined Oliver Sherwood's stable and made his seasonal debut three weeks ago, romping home by 17 lengths.
This has been a similar career path to FORT SMITH, who was a fairly useful type in Ireland where he climbed to a mark of 136. He then joined Thomas and ran both over hurdles and fences but never landed a blow in any of those races. Today he makes his debut after a lengthy break for Sherwood off 109 and if he bounces back like Enjoy Responsibly did he looks worth a bet.
A Good Skin was rated in the high 130s not too long ago and this is one of the weakest races he has contested in a while. With money having come for Fort Smith, he's drifted to a backable price - I will be splitting my stakes on the pair.
Of the others, Pembroke House is hard to win with, Go West Young Man is one of the quirkiest horses in training, Lord Ben is vulnerable to a well-handicapped horse, as is Compadre, and all things considered the above duo are by far the most appealing.
2.05 Ascot preview
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TOP NOTCH ran a really creditable race on his seasonal debut over hurdles in what was a falsely-run race, beaten three lengths by Unowhatimeanharry.
His chase career progressed beautifully last year and he only found one too good in Yorkhill in the JLT at the Cheltenham Festival. He didn't end the season too badly, finishing third to Flying Angel at Aintree, and I think he will reverse form with that rival back on a stiffer track with some juice in the ground.
Smad Place is admirable and will take the beating but I think the young gun may be too good today. Flying Angel could bounce back after a lacklustre display on his seasonal debut and chase home the selection.
3.15 Ascot preview
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CEPAGE was electric on his British debut at Newbury last year. He looked a horse to follow but didn’t really progress and his jumping became more shoddy as the season went along. He’s a horse who may be best caught fresh and if getting into a rhythm out in front he may be hard to pass.
Recommended bets
2pts win Fort Smith 2.15 Huntingdon at 7/2
1pt win A Good Skin 2.15 Huntingdon at 3/1
1pt win Top Notch 2.05 Ascot at 11/4
1pt win Cepage 3.35 Ascot at 10/1
Posted at 0825 GMT on 25/11/17; fourth and final selection added at 0920
Follow Murt on Twitter: @murt_khan
Breaking It Down P&L: +18.50pts
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- October: +3.10pts
- September: +1.75pts
- August: +0.36pts
- July: +15.09pts
- June: -10.10pts
- May: +30.00pts
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