Fantasy Gladiator to Fight off Rivals

6.45 Chelmsford – Stone Quercus

On a busy Saturday of racing, we turn to the all-weather for a value bet in the form of Stone Quercus. The 10 runner maiden has a nice each-way look about it due to the fairly short priced favourite Danehill Kodiac.

James Given’s 2 year old son of Rock of Gibraltar went off completely unfancied at 34.00Bet €100 to win €340033/1Bet £100 to win £3400+3300Bet $100 to win $340033.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$340033.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp3400-0.0303Bet RM100 to win RM3400 on debut at Nottingham, but showed clear ability and ended up finishing 3rd over 6 furlongs. Wasn’t expected that day and the trip was definitely on the sharp side, so the step up to 8 furlong and the initial experience should stimulate significant improvement second time out. The fourth placed horse that day has since gone on to score and the winner has competed in top class company, so the race looks to be a good one.

James Given does very well at this time of year with his all-weather runners. From May-August they are 39/224 (17.41%) for £99.96 LSP, giving an A/E of 1.61. This runner may be behind the market principles based on the bare form, but he is unexposed and is very promising type.

Danehill Kodiac has the best form in the book and took well to course and distance when finishing second in a maiden just over two weeks ago. Was beaten 4 ½ lengths that day though and sire Kodiac doesn’t produce too many stayers as juveniles. At 2.75Bet €100 to win €2757/4Bet £100 to win £275+175Bet $100 to win $2751.75Bet HK$100 to win HK$2751.75Bet Rp100 to win Rp275-0.5714Bet RM100 to win RM275, he is a little short and makes our selection good each-way value at odds of 6.50

7.15 Chelmsford – Fantasy Gladiator

We stick with the all-weather for our second selection, which is the Michael Appleby trained Fantasy Gladiator. A remarkably consistent runner in recent times, the 9 year old gelding has a good chance of going in again.

In his last 6 starts, the son of Ishiguru has been revitalised – coming third twice, second twice and winning twice (including last time out). He is equally adept on the turf or all-weather and used to be much better than his current mark of 74. Naturally, father time has caught up slightly, but he still remains competitive in Class 5 company.

A 12 runner field is likely to suit as there should be some good pace on. Fantasy Gladiator’s run style is typically to come from off the pace and he should be finishing strongly down the outside late in the day. May well trade bigger in running on Betfair, but should be thereabouts and looks like more of a 4.00Bet €100 to win €4003/1Bet £100 to win £400+300Bet $100 to win $4003.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$4003.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp400-0.3333Bet RM100 to win RM400 shot than the 5.50Bet €100 to win €5509/2Bet £100 to win £550+450Bet $100 to win $5504.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$5504.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp550-0.2222Bet RM100 to win RM550 that is available.

Tips Summary

6.45 Chelmsford – Stone Quercus – 6.50Bet €100 to win €65011/2Bet £100 to win £650+550Bet $100 to win $6505.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$6505.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp650-0.1818Bet RM100 to win RM650 – Bet365, BetVictor

7.15 Chelmsford – Fantasy Gladiator – 5.50Bet €100 to win €5509/2Bet £100 to win £550+450Bet $100 to win $5504.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$5504.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp550-0.2222Bet RM100 to win RM550 – Coral