3:30 Stayers Hurdle
This is a tough race for me personally, sitting on a nice antepost position on Paisley Park (thanks to a wise nod from an excellent judge earlier in the season) who is now into just 7/4 and looks the one to beat today – he’s unbeaten on four starts this season and appears to be getting better and better.
If you're not already on this one, then the 7/4 is certainly reasonable about a horse who looks to have the beating of this field if previous form is anything of a bench-mark. Nothing really looks like raising the bar he has already reached, having ticked all the course and form boxes in memorable fashion.
Of the many contenders he has already beaten, Black Op is back for another crack at overturning the favourite, and is 12/1 with a number of firms paying the extra place in this one. He is a regular place-payer without quite finding enough to bring home the full bacon, and has experience at the Festival from last year's runner-up to Samcro. Back over the hurdles has to be a big positive.
At a similar price is also Top Notch - another who would like to reverse previous encounters with Paisley Park. He's gone for this race rather than the Ryanair, so connections must think is the best fit for his efforts. Worth a go at 14/1 with Bet Victor.
2pt Win Paisley Park at 7/4 (General)
1pt e/w Black Op at 12/1 (General but get 4 places at 1/5)
1pt e/w Top Notch at 14/1 (Bet Victor)