William Hill Trophy Free Bets

Looking at the weights, it would appear the bottom weight here will carry only around 10st 8lbs so the 11st rule is going to be under threat (the last 10 winners carried under 11st). So I would ignore that and concentrate on the official ratings stats that say you’ve had it if rated 150+ like in the last 27 years.

I don’t read much into these things but David Pipe put up The Package (6/1 with Bet365) as his banker of the meeting at a preview evening in Ireland last week. Character Building has a very good Festival record having won a Kim Muir and should have won the NH Chase (second but wandered on the run-in).

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John Quinn has confirmed him for this race and has been backed across the board into fourth favourite, but I’ve never been one to consider Grand National-bound horses in this race as they are being trained for another day. I am sure he will be delighted if he finishes in the first six.

I am not having The Tother One, who is 16/1 with Bluesq, off top weight in a race where carrying a big weight is a big negative who is disputing fourth favouritism behind Theatrical Moment who I do have time for.

Jonjo O’Neill won this with a novice last season though he has other entries at the Festival and I noticed there was money for his stablemate Isn’t That Lucky, 20/1 with Betfred, who was mapped out to win the Jewson last season and finished second. He looks to have mapped out for something this season as well.

What have the Irish got, given they have won two of the last four renewals in which they have had a runner? Not a lot. Siegemaster, 16/1 with Sportingbet but I don’t trust his jumping plus he has enough weight.

So Casey Jones (16/1 with Bet365)  would interest me more off just 2lbs more than his Irish rating and he has been off since finishing fourth in a Grade 1 back in November. The long absence wouldn’t bother me, in fact, I would see it as a positive but he is rated 151, which would make him the highest rated winner for 28 years.