Activial Jumps To Favouritism For Ladbroke

One of the major ante post gambles is taking place in the last week or so with the Harry Fry trained Activial, now gone the clear 5/1 favourite for Saturday’s major handicap, the Ladbroke Hurdle.

This really is turning into a monster gamble on Activial. The expected soft ground will definitely play to his strengths and off a mark of 137, he must have a serious chance.

Although being off the race track since April 2013, punters cannot get enough of him and should he oblige, bookmakers will be hit hard where it hurts them most in the satchel.

Consequently, the Nicky Henderson trained Sign Of A Victory is now out to 6/1 having been the overnight jolly at 5/1.

Dan Skelton, who trained the winner of last year’s renewal, Willows Saviour, has seen his charge, Shelford, being the each-way selection and is now on offer at 9/1 from 14/1. Dan Skelton is bidding to become only the second trainer to win the prestigious handicap back-to-back. Shelford won impressively last time out at Chepstow on soft ground so conditions should suit.