Early Oil: Best bets, preview for The Valley

The Valley meeting on Christmas Eve may lack stakes racing but competitive fields means there are still some good bets across the card.

Riverplate looks hard to beat at The Valley. Picture: Scott Barbour-Racing Photos via Getty Images

Form analyst Jett Hatton takes an early look at Saturday’s meeting at The Valley.

BEST BET

RIVERPLATE (R7, No.5)

VALUE BET

ACCOUNTABILITY (R8, No13)

EARLY QUADDIE

1,4,5/3,8/1,4,8,10/1,4,6,7

Big 6

1,4,8,10/1,4,6,7/5,6,13/5/5,7,13/1,4,8

Quaddie

5,6,13/5/5,7,13/1,4,8

RACE 1

Tough race for the opener at The Valley. CANTOLAGO (4) looked good at the trials prior to her debut effort when fourth behind the promising Serasana. Jockey suggested longer trip would suit and now gets out to 1200m. Hellbent colt DEVILS DELIGHT (2) on debut after promising trial and draws softly in barrier one with Jamie Mott to ride. AMUR (1) is a Snitzel colt that hasn’t showed much in the trials but has good support in the market and gets Damien Oliver on.

Suggested bet: CANTOLAGO (4) to win.

TAB market mover: Cantolago $5 - $4.40

RACE 2

Ciaron Maher and David Eustace place their horses well and BUBBLY LASS (1) is knocking on the door for a third win after two good runs, the latest when just missing behind Bellini Miss. Peter Moody’s stable is flying and is now looking for back-to-back wins with FORBIDDEN CITY (4) after a strong victory at Hillside. Has upside. A PINCH OF LUCK (5) never clear last start, the wider draw suits here and looks the value in the race. BALLYNORA (2) strong through the line when winning over the distance last start.

Suggested bet: BUBBLY LASS (1) to win.

TAB market mover: Forbidden City (4) $3 - $2.20

RACE 3

Speed machine INUNDATION (3) returns after creating some boom during the winter. Mail out of the stable says he’s back stronger and a more mature horse. Undefeated at the trip. James Cummings has RED CARD (8) flying and she looks the main danger to the favourite with only 54.5kg. UNFLINCHING (1) first-up since tackling the Lightning Stakes in South Australia which proved a strong form race throughout spring. Sydneysider CAPITAL REIGN (7) next best.

Suggested bet: INUNDATION (3) to win.

TAB market mover: Inundation (3) $2.15 - $2.

Speed machine Inundation returns at The Valley on Saturday. Picture: Brett Holburt-Racing Photos via Getty Images

RACE 4

Enver Jusufovic is giving PHILOSOPHER (4) his first run for the new stable and has looked the part of the expensive yearling he was at the trials. A change of scenery might just be what he has needed. DUSSE (1) just found one better last start in Red Card but finds an easier race, big weight to lug though. Stablemate PINK CASHMERE (10) had plenty on them on debut at Ballarat, this is a rise but has upside. SUPIDO BEAUTY (8) is hard to knock, undefeated in her two starts and resumes.

Suggested bet: PHILOSOPHER (4) each-way.

TAB market mover: Supido Beauty (8) $19 - $10.

RACE 5

One of the tougher races on the card. The Hawkes-trained galloper PESTO (4) was good first-up in Sydney behind handy galloper Nugget and is going to have good improvement out in trip second-up. Value at double figures. VEGAS KNIGHT (7) quick freshen up since a good third in the Pakenham Cup and comes back in trip and to the track he won at two back. Gun barrier too. Former Queenslander SEE MARIE (6) racing well without winning for Moody, looks placed to run up to her price again. RIGHT YOU ARE (1) is flying but gives them a bit of weight.

Suggested bet: PESTO (4) each-way.

TAB market mover: Right You Are (1) $5 - $4.20.

RACE 6

Midweek grade race on a Saturday card. SILVER TYCOON (6) looks value at a big price. Only lightly raced and looked a promising horse when putting them away over this trip at Moe last time out. PITCHANUN (13) deserved favourite but hard to take the short odds for a horse with her strike rate. ANCIENT EGYPT (12) having first go at trip but looks as though he’ll handle it. LET’S SEA (5) the next best.

Suggested bet: SILVER TYCOON (6) each-way.

TAB market mover: Pitchanun (13) $3.60 - $3.20.

Silver Tycoon winning at Moe last start. Picture: Morgan Hancock-Racing Photos via Getty Images

RACE 7

Kiwi galloper RIVERPLATE (5) is airborne since crossing the ditch and has won both starts this preparation. Formguide says three wins for no placings at a mile but they were all in stakes races including Anamoe’s Caulfield Guineas. Hard to beat. Stablemate RHINOCEROUS (8) talented and has showed a glimpse of his old form the last two starts. Jamie Kah on is a plus. CEASAR (6) has produced two good runs this time in and looks set to peak third-up. NEW CHOICE (4) unlucky last start and could surprise at a price.

Suggested bet: RIVERPLATE (5) to win.

TAB market mover: Riverplate (5) $2.60 - $2.20.

RACE 8

Liked what I saw from ACCOUNTABILITY (13) last time out when two lengths behind Never Again after peaking on his run. Fitness benefit now and the winner placed in last week’s JRA Cup. KAITUKU (7) comes out of that Never Again race when only defeated over the last 50m. South Aussie DARLAMAX (5) tough win over the trip last start and Group 1 winning jockey Jarrod Fry goes on. WERTHEIMER (4) enjoys the trip and good third in the Werribee Cup last start.

Suggested bet: ACCOUNTABILITY (13) each-way.

TAB market mover: Angel (8) $12 - $8.

RACE 9

As is normally the case, the last leg of the quaddie is probably the toughest race to dissect. BELSIELLE (8) good first-up when three lengths off Blistering, improves with the run and sticking at 1200m. Enver Jusufovic drops BLOOD OATH (1) in grade after good run in tougher company. Big weight but slightly offset by the claim. MAGNUM BULLET (4) honest effort last start and primed to run well again.

Suggested bet: BELSIELLE (8) each-way.

TAB market mover: Sham I Am (1) $12 - $8.