Southern National – Fontwell Park – Sunday 14th November

Will Smith Betting Tips – Southern National – Fontwell Park – Sunday 14th November

Quite rightly, the focus this weekend will be on the glorious amphitheatre that is Cheltenham racecourse, but there is plenty on elsewhere too.

It is Morgiana Hurdle day at Punchestown on Sunday, and we also have a National to look forward to – the Southern National at Fontwell Park at 3.10 on Sunday.

So, with plenty of the ante-post markets not looking overly appealing this week, other than the Paddy Power Gold Cup, as outlined yesterday, it is from the wonderfully idiosyncratic chase track at the south coast venue, that the other weekend ante-post recommendations come.

Just shy of 3m4f around the figure-of-eight chase track at Fontwell Park will leave many an unsuspecting horse feeling pretty dizzy I would imagine!

So, it’s often worth looking at horses who have a good record there when considering any bets, and one of the two selections fits that particular criterion.

If you don’t have previous experience of the chase track, then a worthy substitute can be finding a horse who can settle into a good jumping rhythm, allowing their jockey to hold position on the numerous tight bends without having to ask for effort to do so. Uunlike horses who may jump less than fluently, who have to use the sections in between jumps to regain position. The other pick fits nicely into this aspect, without wishing to put the mockers on his jumping!

The latter horse in question is the Charlie Longsdon-trained Almazhar Garde, who at 14/1 with Unibet is a really good each-way bet.

A four-time winner of handicap chases, Almazhar Garde has seen his rating climb from the opening stance of 114, to a significantly loftier 139. But as a six-year-old son of Kapgarde, who is probably only now fully filling into his frame, there could easily be more to come.

It is notable that the last two occasions he has had an extended break from racing, Almazhar Garde has won on the second start back from said break – so providing real hope that he can win the Southern National at 3.10 at Fontwell Park on Sunday, as he had a lovely spin in a hot novice hurdle around Cheltenham three weeks ago.

At 14/1 each-way with Unibet, many of you may not be able to grab that price, but he is 12/1 with Betway also, and even the skinniest quotes of 8/1 generally make huge appeal, so don’t be put off if you can’t get that.

Almazhar Garde has never run around Fontwell Park’s chase track, but that is not something he has in common with the other selection – Premier Dtroice, who is a whopping 16/1 with Ladbrokes and Coral, and is another great each-way bet.

A winner here on his chase debut and final start for previous trainer Archie Watson, that win reads very well, as the two horses he beat cosily were the then-140-rated Full Back and Coolanly.

Since joining Katy Price, Premier Dtroice has had just the three starts over fences. But on each occasion, he has displayed more than enough natural talent to suggest that he could take higher order in big-field, extreme distance races.

His Newton Abbot and Stratford novice chase runs read incredibly well, and his reappearance run in a competitive Aintree handicap will have put him spot on for this.

At 16/1 each-way with Ladbrokes and Coral, Premier Dtroice is a very worthy second selection for the Southern National at Fontwell Park at 3.10 on Sunday.

As with any ante-post bets, it is with a view to beating the price and taking on others at their respective prices. Most of the other entries in the race would prefer much softer ground than they are going to get – Momella, Dawson City, Salty Boy, Fuji Flight, Gleno and Eclair De Guye to name just a few.

While a few also have multiple entries, so it all points to Almazhar Garde at 14/1 with Unibet and Premier Dtroice at 16/1 with Ladbrokes and Coral being just about the bets of the weekend.

You’ll just have to tear you gaze away from Cheltenham for a few minutes!