All the top tips and best bets for Wednesday, April 17

By SAM TURNER

Published: 17:00 EST, 14 April 2013 | Updated: 15:20 EST, 16 April 2013

Once upon a time trainer Michael Banks dreamt of winning a Champion Hurdle with CLERK’S CHOICE (Cheltenham, nap, 3.20).

To be fair to the Cambridgeshire handler his charge came within 11 lengths of doing that two seasons ago when an honourable sixth to Hurricane Fly in the hurdling blue riband.

That was near enough a career best for the seven-year-old who has yet to repeat those glories but there have been signs in recent runs that he is coming to hand and could be dangerous in a handicap.

The selection posted a fine effort at Aintree over this trip last time, sticking to his task well in the closing stages and that was a run which came hard on the heels of a solid performance in the County Hurdle.

He has share of weight in this field but has earned it and could be some value to give his supporters a good run at a price.

HUNTERS LODGE (Cheltenham, next best, 2.45) is another top weight on the card that looks capable of going well.

The first time blinkers helped to concentrate his mind at Uttoxeter and his trainer looks to have pulled another shrewd move by changing the headgear today in order to keep him switched on.

Track and ground should be no issue and Hunters Lodge should make a bold bid to follow up his recent success.  

ROBIN GOODFELLOW'S SELECTIONS

Beverley
2.00 Eeny Mac
2.35 Arthurs Secret
3.10 Atlantic Affair
3.45 Vine de Nada
4.20 Jamaican Bolt
4.55 Skytrain
5.25 Gabrial The Master
6.00 Dance For Georgie

Cheltenham
2.10 Annacotty
2.45 Hunters Lodge (nb)
3.20 Clerk’s Choice (nap)
3.55 Champion Court
4.30 Moorlands Mist
5.05 Goulanes
5.35 Changing The Guard

Kempton
5.55 Permeate
6.30 Leitrim Pass
7.00 Rainford Glory
7.30 Zeus Magic
8.00 Tappanappa
8.30 Carina Palace
9.00 Rezwaan

Newmarket
1.45 Assembly
2.20 Orton Park
2.55 Bungle Inthejungle
3.30 Garswood
4.05 Lady Nouf
4.40 Kerbaaj
5.15 Demonic
5.45 Bluegrass Blues

HOTSPOTS

WORK WHISPER
JAMMY GUEST (Newmarket, 1.45)

LAY OF THE DAY
SKY LANTERN (Newmarket, 4.05)

BURNT FINGERS
VODKA TIME (Newmarket, 2.20)

CAPTAIN HEATH
GARSWOOD (Newmarket, 3.30)

FORMCAST SPECIAL BET
ROYAL PRESENCE (Cheltenham, 4.30)

WIZARD
HARRY BOSCH (Kempton, 6.30)

WHO'S HOT

TRAINERS (last 14 days) W Haggas 2 wins from 2 runners (100%); J J Quinn 4 from 9 (44%); J Tate 3 from 7 (43%); J Weymes 2 from 5 (40%); A J Lidderdale 2 from 6 (33%).

JOCKEYS S Donohoe 2 from 4 (50%); S W Kelly 5 from 13 (38%); Mr B Gibbs 6 from 17 (35%); M Davies 2 from 6 (33%); N Callan 6 from 18 (33%).