3 minute read

Sam King is back with an all-weather selection on Thursday…

Ffos Las' abandonment means that Wincanton is the sole National Hunt offering on Thursday as it stands, but nothing particularly catches the eye from a betting perspective there, and the best wagers look to come on the all-weather, with both Southwell and Chelmsford providing competitive winter action.

Prominent northern-based trainer Ed Bethell has been quiet with his runners over the winter months, but I expect him to have another good season on the turf this year, and Sky Breeze looks interesting in the mile-and-a-half handicap at Southwell (1.12).

There's no doubt it's a competitive affair for the grade, with the hat-trick-seeking Caramay, Charlie's Choice, and Hebridean Nomad all bringing decent form to the table.

That said, none make the appeal that Sky Breeze does. Everything that could go wrong on his reappearance over this course and distance last month virtually did, as he was squeezed out on exiting the stalls and subsequently lit up.

After racing with exuberance off a steady gallop, he moved stylishly into contention, only to have his passage blocked on multiple occasions up the home straight. Once in the clear, he picked up again steadily, but the principles had flown, and he could only finish five and a half lengths behind the eventual impressive winner.

He might not have won on that occasion, but I'd have been surprised if he wasn't a clear second-best. The eventual runner-up Cello, who was only just over a length in front of Sky Breeze, has since gone on to finish an excellent second in a Class 2 handicap over further at Newcastle, giving the form some substance.

Everything points in the direction of a massive run from Ed Bethell's six-year-old, with the drop to Class 4 company, a 1lb lower mark, the return of regular rider Callum Rodriguez, and that reappearance outing under his belt, all positive signs.

It's hardly surprising to see he's already been nibbled in the early morning markets. However, the 3/1 currently available still looks fair, and he's selected to take his record to five from eleven on all-weather surfaces.

WIN – Sky Breeze

Odds – 3/1