Timeform Radio Tips: Thursday February 7

Colin Tizard: Trainer of Virginia Ash.

David Cleary is in action on Thursday, suggesting a couple of bets at Huntingdon...

Huntingdon survived an unexpected mid-morning inspection and takes centre stage on an afternoon with no fewer than three jumps cards to keep us out of mischief. The feature event at Huntingdon is the Chatteris Fen Hurdle at 15:15 for four year olds. This is a long-established trial for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, though this afternoon's renewal has more the look of a trial for the Fred Winter Handicap.

Zamdy Man is the morning favourite and is a simply shocking price on form, both that shown on the Flat and over hurdles, for all that he shaped with abundant promise in the Finale Hurdle at Chepstow on his debut over jumps. He has to be opposed - there is a case for laying him for a place - but the question is what to oppose him with. Calculated Risk showed the aptitude required for hurdling straight away when winning at Doncaster, immediately bettering his level on the Flat, but this is much tougher. The newcomer Brinestine has the Flat form to be competitive and comes from a stable likely to have him clued up for this initial attempt. He's worth including in calculations, particularly if the market speaks in his favour. Sky Khan and Last Shadow, both on their third run over hurdles, have the ability to get involved, though Sky Khan's rider is unable to claim and the absence of Tony McCoy (at Taunton) is a negative for Last Shadow's prospects. Bold Cuffs at a huge price is not a totally forlorn hope on better ground, but his Newbury conqueror Seventh Sign looks the best value option. Seventh Sign overcame a novicey round of jumping to prevail narrowly that day and ought to be a lot sharper this afternoon. He is fitted with blinkers, which served him well on the Flat, his efforts in that sphere suggesting he'll be good enough to land the spoils this afternoon.

A large field is set to go to post for the opening staying handicap hurdle at 13:35. However it is a case of more quantity than quality and Virginia Ash will be hard to beat, having finally clicked over hurdles, with the fitting of cheekpieces, at Plumpton last time. Although the ground was very testing that day, Virginia Ash's bumper form was on good/good to soft, so today's less testing conditions could well suit him. The main danger is likely to be Soutine, who benefited from the step up to twenty-one furlongs here last time on his handicap debut. Soutine's pedigree suggests another half a mile will suit him even better. However, Virginia Ash has that bit more potential and can come out on top.

Recommended Bets:
Both at Huntingdon
Back Seventh Sign @ 10.09/1 in the 15:15
Back Virginia Ash @ 5.85/1 in the 13:35

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