In-Running Week: Raya can star on his next start

Raya Star (left) in action at Ascot.

Neil Munro returns with the latest installment of the in-running week...

For anyone who is looking to make a few quid out of betting on the horses Timeform has to be part of your thinking. Of course there are all different options available to you dependent on whether you want a straight tip or to use the ratings to make your own opinion. For in-running traders who want a really low cost entry level you don't get much better than the Timeform Free site and in a strange way there has been no better advertisement than the Timeform Betfair Racing Club horse Keppols Hill.

Keppols Hill
Paul Nicholls' six year old still looks an interesting prospect for three mile novice chases despite having not managed to pick up a race in his first two starts under rules. Keppols Hill came from the point-to-point world where he had been successful in the spring but I did note that when in Ireland he had made a mistake at the last. And he has since done this twice under rules while trading at the magic basement price of 1.011/100. But there is more to how we can play him as an in-running horse because he tends to travel prominently as connections think that he will grind the opposition into defeat. This of course is clever thinking but I sense he idles in front and that will make life difficult for a galloping type who has to try and stretch the other runners from a long way out.

For the next three starts back Keppols Hill pre-race at BSP and then lay out your stake at around the matched price and then further lay offers up at low odds-on.

Raya Star
Alan king said ahead of the season that the six year old son of Milan was a lot more relaxed over the last season or two and was the yards leading earner last season. He won at Ascot on his seasonal reappearance and the plan is to go for the Racing Post Hurdle at Cheltenham before connections decide whether to go chasing or stay over hurdles. So what is the in-running key to Raya Star? He likes to comes off a decent pace and be delivered fairly late so I always look at the make-up of the race before getting involved. At Ascot there were three likely front runners and in the end the very free Fiendish Flame took them along with the other prominent runners trailing that pace. When there is a decent clip Raya Star catches the eye travelling well and you can then trade out on him. But you have to do your research first to make sure the pace is in the race.

When Raya Star runs check that there is pace in the race to take him along. If happy that there is then back him pre-race at BSP and then lay out your stake at the BSP in the run. If you then want to lay out more at low odds-on then you can.

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