Alan King rules the Saturday Ascot card with Smad Place and Balder Succes
With the Paul Nicholls’ trained, Big Buck’s, out of the current season due to a rather serious injury, the betting trends and the favourites for races in which he was supposed to compete, have changed. Without the intimidating shadow of Paul Nicholls’ entries, trainer, Alan King, has got not one but two favourites on the Saturday Ascot card.
Alan King trained, Smad Place, has gained favourism in the Long Walk Hurdle while his other trainee, Balder Succes, who is the most celebrated candidate for the Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle.
The 2012 season opener for the five-year-old grey gelding, Smad Place, was the Grade 2 John Smith’s Hurdle on 3rd November, 2012 at Wetherby race course over three miles and a furlong.
The third ranking of course was nothing really impressive that too when entered as the favourite with jockey, Robert Thornton.
With the unexpected withdrawal of Big Buck’s from the season, Smadoun’s grey gelding is backed by 5 to 2 odds for the Long Walk. The trainer shared:
"It is very sad that Big Buck's is out for the season, but the Long Walk Hurdle now has a real open look and we have to fancy our chances with Smad Place.
"He disappointed us at Wetherby on his reappearance, but we were not happy with him when he got back and he subsequently missed the Hennessy meeting at Newbury.
"We have tweaked a few things at home, and Smad Place was much more like his old self when we galloped him last Saturday, so, hopefully, he can get back on track."
Whereas, the trainer’s hope for the Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle, the four-year-old bay gelding, Balder Succes, has been pretty active ever since the new season kick started.
He settled third in the Grade 2 Totepool.com Elite Hurdle on 10th November, 2012 at Wincanton over two miles. The race was won by the Paul Nicholls’ trained, Zarkandar.
Not compromising with success in his very next outing, the Alan King trained bagged the winner’s prize money of the Betfair Commits £40 Million To British Racing Hurdle on 24th November.
The trainer has already landed the race with Raya Star before and 147 off mark for Balder Succes they can defend the title again.
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