Tikram’s odds halved in Ladbroke plunge

TIKRAM, 25-1 for the Ladbroke Hurdle with the sponsors on Monday, is now as low as 12-1 in two places after the flow of support for Gary Moore’s hurdler continued yesterday.

Ladbrokes now quote the five-year-old at 16-1 for the £100,000 Showcase Handicap at Ascot on Saturday.

But Coral offer 14-1 (from 20-1) after laying some sizeable each-way bets while he has been cut to 12-1 from 20-1 with the Tote and is also 12s with William Hill.

Tikram was third to Marble Arch in this race 12 months ago and is fresh from a recent success at Fontwell for which a 4lb penalty puts him in the handicap proper on 10st 2lb.

"We've had two movers in the Ladbroke Hurdle this afternoon. Wise money has seen Valerio move in to 10-1 from 12-1 and Tikram also moves after steady flows of support at 20-1 in to 16-1," said Balthazar Fabricius of Ladbrokes.

Martin Pipe will leave his Ladbroke Hurdle running plans as late as possible.

The champion trainer has five entries in the £100,000 contest at Ascot on Saturday. They are Polar Red (11st 12lb), Puntal (11st 11lb), Mr Cool (11st 9lb), Bernardon (10st 9lb) and Idaho d'Ox (10st 3lb).

But Puntal is also entered at Ascot on Friday.

Discussing his plans on attheraces Pipe said: "All five are entered all with plans to run but we've got Puntal entered on the Friday and also on Saturday, which gives us a choice the £100,000 race on the Saturday or the £25,000 race on the Friday.

"They've all got plenty of weight. They are all handicapped up to the hilt and it will be a tough race."

Declan Carroll plans to run his runaway Doncaster winner Benbyas.

Enterprisingly-ridden last Saturday by conditional Paddy Brennan, Benbyas made all the running in the Worthington's 1744 Sea Pigeon Handicap Hurdle, and stormed home with 19 lengths to spare over the highly-regarded Full Irish.

He picks up a 6lb penalty, taking his weight to 10st 10lb, and Carroll reasoned: "He has come out of the race bucking and kicking and with a prize like that at Ascot we have got to have a go.

"I could not have been more pleased with him at Doncaster, I think that is the way to ride him, be positive as he gets the trip well and I think he will stay further if need be."

Ladbrokes bet: 7-2 Holy Orders, 7-1 Puntal, 10-1 Valerio, 14-1 Under The Sand, Santenay, Whistling Dixie, 16-1 Bar.