17th Mar 2017 | Cheltenham Festival
Albert Bartlett Tips: Tommy Rapper
Still a maiden but finishes upsides Willoughby Court & Messire Des Obeaux have boosted his form this week.
It’s not often horses get better by standing in their box but that is the case with Tommy Rapper. He’s yet to win a race in six starts but his form has taken two big boosts at Cheltenham.
At Warwick, he finished 0.75 lengths behind Neptune winner Willoughby Court getting out battled in the home-straight but pulling 19 lengths clear of the third horse.
On his next start, he bumped into two smart performers when a close third behind Messire Des Obeaux (third in the Neptune) and Keeper Hill (seventh in the Neptune). Those bits of form might suggest Dan Skelton has gone for the wrong race in the Albert Bartlett but his running style is better suited over further.
In both races, Tommy Rapper was held-up in rear before making late headway to challenge for the win. He was out-battled (or out-sprinted) in each but lost nothing in defeat. Both races produced good speed figures so there’s no fluke in his proximity to some good horses. He shouldn’t be 33/1.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 01:22 17th Mar, 2017 but subject to change
