Sports

How to get a free £25 bet this weekend – plus expert's tips for who you should back



Newcastle’s Betfair Exchange Northumberland Plate is certainly not averse to an antepost gamble – indeed, last year’s easy winner Withhold was backed as if defeat was out of the question in the lead-up to the race – and this year’s renewal has been no exception, with the 7/2 jolly Gibbs Hill attracting substantial support in the past week.

But from a punting point of view, unless you’re part of the Roger Varian stable, or know something that many others don’t, then it’s impossible to back a horse at that price in such a competitive race when he hasn’t been seen for 724 days due to injury.

True, Gibbs Hill was very impressive when last seen two years ago, so much so in fact that his official rating of 105 that he was raised to after winning by seven lengths at Kempton has been retained, despite a two-year injury absence. The 6yo grey gelding has also never raced beyond 12 furlongs, so there are certainly enough negatives upped to 16 furlongs for the first time on Saturday to have serious reservations about joining in with the plunge.

He may well win, and we know that a gamble on a Roger Varian horse needs serious consideration after Cape Byron – put up on these pages at 8/1 – won last week’s 30-runner Wokingham handicap in fine style, but he’s not for us.

Time To Study has an equally interesting profile, but for more positive reasons, and he’s definitely worth an each-way bet at 14/1 on the Betfair Sportsbook.

Now trained by the excellent Ian Williams – who has a superb record at bringing horses back to their best – after leaving the powerful Mark Johnston yard, Time To Study looks to have retained all of his old ability when finishing third over a trip too far at Royal Ascot last time. In fact he looked the most likely winner turning for home in the 2m4f Ascot Stakes, but his stamina failed to last out in the closing stages and it was no surprise to see him headed in the final furlong.

But everything considered, that was an excellent run and proved that Time To Study is on a winnable handicap mark, so this step back down to two miles looks absolutely idea. He was rated 108 at his peak, he can run here off just 96 despite that fine Royal Ascot run.

Another huge positive is that when the 5yo was a 108-rated performer it was only 12 months ago, in this very race in fact. He was prominent for a long way that day before getting tired in the final furlong, eventually finishing eight lengths behind Withhold. Incredibly, and just to highlight further how well handicapped Time To Study is, he has a 20lb pull in the weights with last year’s winner who is the current second favourite for this year’s renewal.

The Ian Williams stable continues in fine form with no less than eight winners and 11 placed horses in the last 14 days, and jockey Kerrin McEvoy is riding full of confidence too, currently operating at a 21% strike rate. Providing his Royal Ascot run didn’t take too much out of him Time To Study looks set for a big run in the Plate and looks an outstanding each-way proposition with Betfair paying down to five places.

Don’t forget, Betfair Sportsbook are offering a free bet of up to £25 for every winner at 3/1 or over during ITV racing (free bet matching original stake, max £25).





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