Mega gamble: Appleby charges backed from 66-1 & 50-1 into 7-1 at Leicester

Tuesday has seen a fascinating market mover in the opening race at Leicester. A move on an unraced two-year-old is always an interesting one and coming from a yard who know the time of day makes it even more so.

As well as this afternoon’s card at Leicester, we have tips for Hereford, Huntingdon and Punchestown this afternoon as well as the evening card at Newcastle.


1.00 Leicester – British EBF Novice Stakes Div I

It’s fair to say that Mick Appleby would not be the first place most punters would look for a juvenile debut winner. This afternoon at Leicester, however, his Mega Marvel has been hammered in from an opening 66/1 into 7/1.

Even on his beloved (and now finished) Fibresand surface, a two-year-old on debut for Appleby would not normally generate a huge amount of interest but this afternoon, the support has been unrelenting.

There is no doubt that the yard are more than capable when it comes to landing a touch, Southwell as aforementioned, has long been a happy hunting ground for the stable. Leicester is a course where the yard have a level stakes profit of +£22.33 in the career of Appleby so it is a track that has seen some winners.

Breeding is the main thing that punters have to go on when it comes to unraced horses. Mega Marvel’s dam was an eight-time winner, including on soft ground so these conditions should suit. Rated 90 at her peak, she was a solid yardstick, though her first two offspring are yet to score.

Having been backed from 66/1 into 12/1 overnight, the money has continued to come this morning which is certainly of interest and suggests that this colt has been showing more at home than most from this yard do ahead of their debut. He is one to watch with interest.


1.30 Leicester – British EBF Novice Stakes Div II

If that one backed runner wasn’t enough, Appleby has one in the second race for the same connections that has also been well supported. Bond Boy is another unraced juvenile and has come in from 50/1 into 7/1.

He is from the same family as the runner in the first so there is some talent in the pedigree to make him of interest, especially as the market has spoken so strongly in his favour.


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