Bet of the day: Lord Scoundrel to scoop EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase
Published:
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | April 29, 2016
Coral’s bet of the day
- Gordon Elliott gelding Lord Scoundrel has four wins in nine starts this season
- All of those on soft or yielding ground, which he gets at Punchestown
- Conditional jockey takes half a stone off his back for chasing contest
- Opposition at Irish National Hunt Festival lacks consistent profile of selection
Scoundrel to be hailed like a Lord by Punchestown punters
Lord Scoundrel looks weighted to run a big race in the 2m 5f EMS Copiers Novice Handicap Chase (16:20) on day four of the Punchestown Festival.
This Gordon Elliott bay gelding has won four of his nine starts this season, earning those victories on either yielding or soft ground, which Lord Scoundrel is set to enjoy at the home of Irish National Hunt racing.
When failing to be first past the post, the seven-year-old has more often than not been beaten by top quality horses like Sizing John, who has twice gone on to finish runner-up to the all-conquering Willie Mullins 2m chaser Douvan to give the form a solid look.
Jockey a Fox for his 7lb claim
Although coming up short by two lengths to Avant Tout – who re-opposes – last time out at Limerick earlier in April, Lord Scoundrel was carrying 3lb more in the saddle than his rival.
Elliott, and the powerful connections of owners Gigginstown House Stud, address this here by actually sending out their horse with a conditional jockey in AJ Fox on board. He takes half a stone off the back of Lord Scoundrel, leaving Avant Tout alone at top-weight.
That looks like being enough to reverse the placings from their previous encounter, and Lord Scoundrel will carry 3lb less than when last successful.
Another big reason why the selection appeals is his highly consistent profile. The rest of the field simply cannot match finishing in the first three in every outing they’ve had this season, leaving Lord Scoundrel with considerable each-way claims at Punchestown.
Related
You’ll find lots more Punchestown Festival tips and race previews on our dedicated page.
View previous bets of the day in our archives to see how our tipsters have got on.
