Whatmore Could I Ask For?

Ben Morgan got off to a cracking start during a profitable month

- Ben Morgan

A big win early in the month is the ideal situation for every punter as it gives them the freedom to express themselves without having to worry about the books too much.

I had a fancy for Henry Daly’s What more at Bangor in a novice hurdle, where he looked up against it as the highly regarded Dostal Phil from the Philip Hobbs stable was lining up also. They started at a similar price in the market but they went opposite directions as the morning wore on. I placed £30 on the nose for Whatmore hoping he may be able to put his experience to good use and serve it up to the French import.

I was shaking my head half way round as Whatmore hadn’t stopped pulling and with less than a mile to go I thought it was a case of when he drops out rather than if he drops out. Although, despite my worries, Andrew Tinkler moved the free going Whatmore up into contention before taking it up up the straight. Dostal Phil travelled well but couldn’t go with them, and it became clear that Whatmore had them all in trouble.

He pinged the last, full of running and asserted late on, a phenomenal performance for a horse that had pulled that hard throughout. His SP was a huge 13/2 which returned £225, which I was over the moon with, but it didn’t end there.

I have to give great thanks to fellow Racing Ahead columnist, Paul Ferguson, for this next winner as I happened to watch a piece he did with Fergal O’Brien in the close season and he stated that Coolanly was his dark horse for the season. This was of interest because this came at a time where every bumper runner he sent out, they won, so the fact he picked this one out in pre-season sent out positive vibes.