William Hill’s Ciaran O’Brien takes Tipster Challenge at Chepstow

Ciaran O’Brien, Communications Director at William Hill, has entered the Tipster Challenge limelight for this week at Chepstow Races.

Ciaran O’Brien was a star of the previous format, recording 16.50 points at Cheltenham in March 2016. A similar result would put him top of the table, ahead of current leader Alan Alger of Betway.

Stephen Harris, Horse Racing Guru at bettingexpert, has taken a few chances this week as he looks to move up from seventh place.

Meanwhile, Timeform is looking to build on a series of consistent, yet unspectacular, recent performances at Chepstow and Bangor.

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12:50

bettingexpert: Mister Big

Showed promise when well backed for his bumper 590 days ago, and seems sure to be well prepared for this hurdling debut.

Timeform: Garo De Juilley

Looked slightly ungainly when fifth on last month’s hurdles debut, but he will have learnt plenty for that and his flat record hardly suggests he’s a quirky sort.

William Hill: Utility

The favourite will be fancied here, but Utility sets a reasonable mark and is probably better than recent runs indicate.

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1:20

bettingexpert: Classi Massini

Ran well when second on her hurdling debut in July and cannot have been right when disappointing next time. She might get a positive ride dropping down to two miles now, and the mares allowance is a big help.

Timeform: Compadre

A good sort physically, and though he could never land a blow in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, he was far from disgraced.

William Hill: Copain De Classe

It’s O’Neill vs Nicholls again, but this time I give the vote to the champion’s trainer as the worthy favourite. Cue results coming in to the exact opposite of what I’ve picked.

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1:55

bettingexpert: Verygoodverygood

Looked good under a penalty for last week’s Ffos Las win, and is open to lots of improvement on just his third start for the red hot Twiston-Davies stable.

Timeform: Verygoodverygood

Turned out under a penalty following last week’s decisive victory at Ffos Las, and with the prospect of more to come for his current yard, he should take some stopping.

William Hill: Verygoodverygood

Verygoodverygood is very, very consistent, and can continue Nigel Twiston Davies’ good run of form.

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2:25

bettingexpert: Walk on Al

A fascinating runner on debut for Fergal O’Brien, and looks on a remarkably low mark if his new surroundings have a positive effect.

Timeform: Calin Du Brizais

Unexposed as a chaser compared to most this field and, following a pipe-opener over hurdles at Exeter last month, he should be spot on to produce a big effort.

William Hill: Loughalder

The consistent course and distance winner should have ideal going and represents good value.

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3:00

bettingexpert: Present Trend

Has been running well at a similar level, and her proven race fitness could be a deciding factor in a weak handicap.

Timeform: Katarrhini

Whilst coming with clear risks attached, has joined a yard going along quite well, and come down plenty in the weights ahead of this return to action.

William Hill: Kayf Charmer

The going should be no problem, and with the jockey claiming 5 lbs he looks a fair bet in an open race.

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3:35

bettingexpert: Wilton Milan

Was never able to land a blow under a negative ride last time at Carlisle, and will surely be ridden more positively here to utilise his high cruising speed.

Timeform: Wilton Milan

Needs to be forgiven a lesser effort at Carlisle on his most recent start, but he has undoubtedly fallen to a handy mark, and shades the vote in the hope he can bounce back.

William Hill: Ratify

The consistent Ratify can overcome a long break and show why he is the only course and distance winner in this race.

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4:05

bettingexpert: Audacious Plan

Hails from a stable in top form, and perhaps a switch back to hurdling from a falling mark will revive his flagging fortunes.

Timeform: Bramble Brook

Stand out as a progressive type in this line-up, and it’s worth chancing his stamina up significantly in trip.

William Hill: One Cool Scorpion

Lightly raced, and handicapper may not have him in his grasp yet.

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Tipster Challenge 2016/17 Leaderboard

Rank	Tipster	Race Wins	Points
1	Alan Alger – Betway	3	11.41
2	Phillip Anderson – Before The Off	3	6.17
3	John Hill – Coral	2	4.25
4	Michael Shinners – Sky Bet	2	4.00
5	Timeform	1.67	2.77
6	John Cruces – Dafabet	1	1.25
7	bettingexpert	0.50	0.79
8	Ed Nicholson – Unibet	1	0.73