Farmer Jimmy to Harvest Second Success

Trainer Mark Walford has enjoyed an excellent run in February, with three winners from his last 12 runners that have started at prices shorter than 33/1. Arguably, that tally should have been four, with Chasingouttheblues unlucky in running when finishing third in a handicap at Haydock on Saturday.

The heart of this strong form has been his staying handicap hurdle team. Farmer Jimmy showed significant improvement when winning the 2m4f conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle at Wetherby earlier this month. These races should always be noted for future reference, as the conditions allow winners to run without penalties, presenting well-handicapped, unexposed horses with a prime opportunity to follow up.

Farmer Jimmy wasn’t without support in the market, backed into 12/1 after being dropped in grade and stepping up in trip, having shown signs of potential over 2m in five previous outings.

Not only does he escape a penalty, but he was also dropped 2lb before his Wetherby win, meaning he heads to post on Wednesday at Doncaster 2lb better off at the weights than for his last victory.

The Wetherby form looks solid. The runner-up was a well-backed Jonjo O’Neill dark horse Royal Ryhthm , trained by a yard that regularly targets handicaps at the track. Meanwhile, the third-placed finisher, Kauto D’Amour—trained by Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith another yard that targets winners at the track—showed a return to form, running off a mark 24lb lower than his career-best rating of 112.

There’s every expectation that Farmer Jimmy will be even better suited to today’s step up to 3m, making him a strong betting proposition.

I’ll be having a saver on Ca Plane Pour Moi, who has the profile of a potential rapid improver for Neil Mulholland. The 7yo was the subject of a huge gamble at Uttoxeter, backed from 14/1 into 3/1, but never looked likely to deliver, weakening from three out. However, this yard can never be ignored with this type of horse, and their go-to jockey for such rides, Conor O’Farrell, takes over in the saddle for the first time.

I got my fingers burned at Uttoxeter, joining in on the gamble after looking back at his Irish form, when he was third in a novice hurdle behind Better Days Ahead finishing in front of Big Stage, who this season has been running respectably in decent Irish handicap chases off a mark of 123.

That said, Mulholland’s gelding last run offered little encouragement that he has retained that level of ability. However, he has been dropped a further 3lb, and it would be agonising if he were to bounce back to his potential and deny us with the bet on Farmer Jimmy.

Recommended Bets:

• 1pt win Farmer Jimmy – 3:20 Doncaster (BOG)
• 0.25pt win saver Ca Plane Pour Moi – 3:20 Doncaster (BOG)