Who To Follow At Warwick On Saturday

The Ballymore Leamington Novices' Hurdle over 2m5f is one of the feature events at Warwick at the weekend and we believe to have sniffed out some big value.

Jay Bee Why for trainer Alan King looks a live contender at 8/1 in this event, with his price only going to shorten before the off with plenty of non runners expected at the latest declaration stage.

The six year old back in October 2019 landed a 10 runner point to point and from that was bought for £68,000 and given to leading dual purpose trainer Alan King.

King in January of last year gave the gelding his debut in a hot bumper at Newbury which saw Your Darling and Flinteur Sacre finish first and second, but unfortunately the youngster could not get involved.

He was not seen again that season and returned this term over hurdles over course and distance at Warwick and was an easy as you like winner of a 17 runner maiden.

He took the event by close to 10 lengths, loving the soft conditions and staying every inch of the 2m5f which makes you believe he will come on again for that performance.

Jonjo O'Neill has been flying below the radar over the last few weeks having made a superb start to the season, and we think he is set for a big day at Warwick on Saturday.

The handler holds the leading contenders in the first two races of the day with Pasley looking to bounce back to form in the opener and then Sky Pirate looking to cement his place at the Cheltenham festival being 11/10 for the Courage Cup.

Although not running many horses the handler has been running at a 27.27% strike rate for the last two weeks having three winners from 11 runners and that is solid form heading into the meeting.

Jonjo O'Neill Jnr will be looking to back his father up with a solid day in the saddle himself with some nice rides for him and trainer Colin Tizzard.

The young rider has very quickly become an established rider within the sport, with many thinking he will take the job as JPMcManus' UK retained rider.

On Saturday he has some classy mounts that could see him frequently in the winners enclosure, with Pasley and Sky Pirate looking to get the day off to a fast start.

In the Grade Two Hampton Novices' Chase he sits on Fiddlerontheroof for Tizzard who is stepping up to three miles for the first time and with his soft conditions has a huge chance to land the event.

O'Neill Jnr has a superb record over the last 12 months at this track running at a 42.86% strike rate having had three winners and one place from just seven rides.