BEST of the BETS

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RICHARD HANNON was very nearly reported to the Monopolies Commission last week. Wiltshire’s finest ran riot at Newbury, racking-up a 4,458-1 five-timer that saw him leave the track with a grin wide enough to challenge Cherie Blair for the role of Colgate’s ambassador.

Little Qaysar was the highest profile of Hannon’s winners, but I wouldn’t fall over if Chatham House was a bigger money spinner this autumn. This fella is built like a Bulgarian farm labourer and took an age to pull up after running away with a 7f handicap. Top man Sean Levey reckons a drop back in trip might suit and he’s got the raw ability to nick a decent race. The big grey has a fuller dance card than the `Strictly’ wannabes this week – he’s entered five times - so keep `em peeled.

There was plenty of chat about Mr Poy before the two-year-old 7f contest but he looked like a Celebrity Fat Club also-ran in the paddock and was easy to back. That didn’t stop dapper Hughie Morrison’s big boy running a nailer behind short-priced jolly Sesame Birah and he’s a must for the notebook.

Punters hit a home-run at Kempton Park on Wednesday when heavily-bet Garbanzo (10-1 to 13-2) chinned The Pinto Kid. Ed Walker’s winner hasn’t let many dinners go cold on him – he’s a big old unit – and has the makings of a classy dual-purpose performer.

By the way, if you thought William Buick might be rusty after a long spell on the treatment table then watch a replay of his last gasp win on Expressionism. This filly has less natural pace than Bernard Manning but wee Willie wouldn’t take no for an answer and pretty much piggybacked her over the line. Busy Buick was on his A-game again at Sandown on Thursday, where he got Native Tribe up on the wire to nut Dubai Mirage and Oisin Murphy. The pair bumped more times than the dodgems at Margate and mighty Murph had the raging hump when the result went against him. That aside, the front two are both above average and should win decent races.

We can’t leave Sandown without giving veteran amateur Serena Brotherton a shout after her win on My Boy Sepoy. Boris Johnson was still a milk-monitor when Serena started riding winners and her enthusiasm is a proper breath of fresh air.

William Haggas’ Victory Day was the star turn at Ascot’s Shergar Cup, pouncing fast and late under a `cooler than Clooney’ ride from Jamie Spencer. He’ll win races at a higher level, which is also true of Sapa Inca who dug deeper than a coal miner to nab the 1m4f three-year-old handicap for Hayley Turner.

It’s always interesting to watch the foreign jocks in this contest but Japanese apprentice Nanako Fujita looked way out of her depth. This poor kid had muscles like knots in cotton and must have been using The Chuckle Brothers to translate the riding instructions judged by some of her efforts.

Gary Moore looks as if he could frighten the Kray Twins but you wouldn’t meet a nicer bloke and he’s keen on Letscrackon who made an encouraging debut at Windsor on Sunday. This filly cost less than a family run-around but ran a nailer to finish fourth after looking greener than Kermit when Gerald Mosse asked her to quicken. Gazza was chuffed with the effort and will find her an opening around the gaff tracks.

Even Mr Magoo spotted Ed Walker’s Clegane running an eye-catcher under a poor old ride from Liam Keniry at Windsor on Monday.
Lukewarm Liam certainly didn’t need to spend long in the shower after this and its dollars to donuts his filly is capable of much better.

Finally, don’t be surprised if William Muir’s Pyledriver runs well at a decent price in the opener at Newbury on Saturday. Wily William nicked a nice few quid when this fella won at 50-1 on his debut and he might just ruffle a few feathers here.

If you would like to know the basics of what to look for around the paddock we have put a video together which can be viewed by clicking the green button below!