Ornais value to land big bucks

THIS column hit the crossbar with 25-1 shot Three Mirrors (one place out of the frame) and Aigle D’Or (beaten a head at 7-1) at Cheltenham last weekend, but at least we got a decent run for our money and there are lots of chances to recoup losses in the next few weeks.

High on the list of races which offer terrific ante-post value is the £175,000 Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday week, not least because the ante-post favourite is a false price because of the Paul Nicholls factor.

The champion trainer saddled Silverburn in last weekend’s Paddy Power Gold Cup and the heavily-backed market leader was unplaced.

Similarly, Nicholls’s Big Buck’s has long been the ante-post jolly for the Hennessy, a place in the market based more on reputation than racecourse achievement.

Touted as an Arkle Chase horse early last season, Big Buck’s was put in his place on a couple of occasions before stepping up to three miles on his final start at Aintree, where he relished the stamina test and won by two and a quarter lengths and more from Battlecry, Albertas Run, Joe Lively and Roll Along.

On that form, Big Buck’s must have a serious chance in the Hennessy, especially if his hit-and-miss jumping technique has been improved by a trainer who leaves no stone unturned.

However, Big Buck’s is only 9-2, which seems a stingy price for an inexperienced horse with jumping flaws and one who will have a new jockey on board following the recent injury to regular partner Ruby Walsh.

Next in the market on 7-1 is Air Force One, who ran a fine race to be second to Roll Along on his reappearance at Ascot and is strongly fancied by trainer Charlie Mann.

He should go well for a long way, but does not finish his races strongly enough for my liking and is readily opposed at the odds.

Character Building, third to the mighty Denman last year and a winner at Towcester over hurdles on his seasonal bow, is one to consider, but is already down to 8-1, and I can envisage him starting a similar price on the day of the race. There is no reason to leap in now if you fancy him.

Oedipe (9-1) and Dear Villez (16-1) have a chance, but the two I am most interested in are Albertas Run (14-1, general) and Ornais (25-1, VC Bet, Sportingbet).

The former won last season’s Royal And SunAlliance Chase in taking fashion, but was well beaten on his reappearance at Carlisle.

Tacky ground was against him that day and trainer Jonjo O’Neill urged punters not to write off Albertas Run on the back of one poor performance.

This horse’s wins-to-runs ratio is terrific and although he needs a sound surface to be seen at his best, his attractive price means that scenario is worth the risk.

As for Ornais, who runs in the same colours as Big Buck’s, I believe his current price to be an each-way steal.

He readily put Battlecry – another Hennessy entry – in his place at Cheltenham last Friday and that is a course which had never previously shown him in his best light.

It could be that Ornais has improved significantly and, given his excellent display when winning by 18 lengths from subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Old Benny (received eight pounds) at Newbury last season, it is clear that the flat Berkshire track is ideal for his style of racing.

Owner Andy Stewart is keen to run both Big Buck’s and Ornais and while he clearly favours the former, Ornais is not going to be left in the race just to keep his stable companion company on the drive from Nicholls’ Ditcheat yard.

At their respective odds, I know which horse I would rather back.

SUNDAY’S Becher Chase over the Grand National fences sees last year’s winner, Mr Pointment, heading the market at 6-1.

However, I have an each-way fancy for Tom Sayers who, despite being something of a Wincanton specialist, jumps so well that he could find Aintree right up his street.

At 25-1, I am willing to take that chance.