Studmaster and No Where To Hyde head Trophy raid
Studmaster, given just 9st 3lb plus a 4lb penalty for Sunday’s success, is also 10-1 with Coral, who make Pierse runner-up No Where To Hyde their market leader at 8-1.
No Where To Hyde (9st 10lb), trained by Christy Roche, stayed on well at Leopardstown and is 7-1 clear favourite with William Hill for the £125,000 handicap hurdle.
Heading the weights on 11st 12lb is John Queally’s Al Eile, who was third to Essex 12 months ago.
Acambo, one of 13 Martin Pipe trained entries, has been allotted 9st 7lb.
Totesport spokesman Damian Walker said: “We’re not taking any chances with Acambo as he won at Taunton at the end of November when the Pipe stable were in shocking form and could be forgiven his third at Leicester last time due to the very testing ground.
“Acambo could be quite a bit better than his handicap mark after just three runs over hurdles and if he can overcome his jumping inexperience he would have to figure.
“Studmaster has more experience over hurdles than Acambo and is clearly a very progressive sort.”
Totesport Trophy betting:
Sponsors: 10-1 Acambo, Studmaster, 12-1 No Where To Hyde, 14-1 Arcalis, Grande Jete, Natal, United, 16-1 Briareus, Chief Yeoman, Desert Air, Escrea, Faasel, Noland, 20-1 Akilak, Al Eile, Distant Prospect, Fleet Street, Not Left Yet, Penzance, Sporazene, 25-1 bar.
William Hill: 7-1 No Where To Hyde, 10-1 Acambo, Noland, Studmaster,12-1 Arcalis, Escrea, United, 14-1 Deser Air, Faasel, Only Vintage, 16-1 Al Eile, Chief Yeoman, Fleet Street, Grande Jete, Natal, Penzance, Tiger Cry, 20-1 bar.
Ladbrokes: 8-1 No Where To Hyde, 10-1 Acambo, 12-1 Grand Jete, Noland, United, 14-1 Chief Yeoman, Studmaster, 16-1 Arcalis, Buena Vista, Distant Prospect, Dusky Warbler, Escrea, Only Vintage, Tiger Cry, 20-1 bar.
Meanwhile, Kingscliff has been trimmed to 5-4 clear favourite from 11-8 for the Peter Marsh Chase with Cashmans following good support, including a four-figure bet.
Last year’s winner Lord Transcend has also not been without his backers in Saturday’s big race at Haydock.
Cashmans bet: 5-4 Kingscliff, 11-8 Lord Transcend, 5-1 Truckers Tavern, 14-1 Merchants Friend, Sonevafushi, 22-1 Ebony Light.
Faasel is set to take his chance in the Commhoist Logistics Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock at the weekend.
Despite the heavy ground that is prevalent at Haydock at the moment, trainer Nicky Richards says the horse is in need of a run and Saturday’s race is the best option.
“It’s going to be very testing ground but we need to get a run into him.
“He’ll probably run with a visor on again I would have thought.”
The five-year-old also holds an entry in the totesport Gold Trophy, for which he has been allocated 11st 4lb.
But according to Richards, Haydock is the first priority.
“We’ll have a look at the whole race (totesport) but we’ll get Saturday out of the way before we start thinking of Newbury or anything like that. He may run Saturday and then he might not run again until the Champion,” he said.
