Though I say it myself, I think Somersby is a cracking wager for the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham festival.
Ante-post punting is full of risks, so you need to try and make sure you’ve got the fundamentals covered:
-You want to be sure that your selection is being targeted at the race: Check
-You want your selection to be able to handle the likely going: Check
-You want you selection to have previous festival form: Check
When your selection is also reaching it’s prime and is officially rated a pound superior to the current race favourite - then you have a good selection.
When it is priced at 20/1, you have a very good bet !!
The issue with Somersby, is that people put him on a pedestal (the one that Best Mate used to sit on) and he has never really delivered at that level.
That said, he has run some tremendous races – most notably when runner up to Sizing Europe in the Arkle and when twice giving Master Minded a real fight.
He has also ran very well last time out in the King George VI chase at Kempton. He travelled strongly that day until the home straight, when it became apparent that he doesn’t quite stay 3miles. His runs over 2 miles have demonstrated that he needs a greater test – so the Ryanair chase over 2m5f should be ideal.
Somersby may not be out of the very top drawer (the one that has housed the likes of Kauto Star, Master Minded and Best Mate) but he sits comfortable in the draw just below – and when you look at the field likely to be assembled for the Ryanair chase, an occupant of that drawer is likely to come out victorious.
I guarantee that few runners on the day will have better credentials than he – and absolutely non of the ones that do will be priced at 20/1 !!
1pt EW Somersby 20/1
