A Nicky Henderson double at Catterick is fancied on Wednesday, because of his fine record with his rare raiders at the North Yorkshire Venue.
The Seven Barrows handler has a strike rate of just under 43 per cent at the track having saddled three winners and one placed from just seven runners there.
In O’Connell Street, he has a six-year-old who shaped with plenty of promise in two bumper runs.
This well-bred son of Derby winner Fame And Glory can make the most of the 7lb he receives from Evander to make a winning debut over the obstacles in the opening 2m 3f novices hurdle (13:20).
He stuck to the task well on racecourse debut when beaten just over a length into second by Tango Boy.
O’Connell Street could then finish only fourth at Worcester when sent off favourite, but was far from disgraced having run keely in the early stages and hanging late on.
The third home that day, Dunham Wood, is also a well-regarded sort who has since won on hurdling debut so that gives the form a fair look.
O’Connell Street now returns to action following wind-surgery, having run as if having a breathing issue at Worcester and appeals as the type to come into his own now sent hurdling.
In what doesn’t look like a strong class 4, he thus looks the one to be on for at 2/1 with BetVictor.
Henderson’s yard is operating at a 29 per cent strike rate in the last 14 days at the time of writing.
Before Midnight also part of Nicky Henderson double
Before Midnight runs in the 2m 3f novices’ limited handicap chase (14:30) and looks potentially well-treated on the pick of his hurdling form.
He ran very well over the smaller obstacles last season when chasing home the now 144-rated Tidal Flow at Kempton, then showed a good attitude to go one better and beating Smackwater Jack at Taunton.
The runner-up has run some fine races since to be rated 131, so that is solid form again.
It suggests Before Midnight should be more than capable of winning a race of this nature off his current mark of 128.
He also shaped quite nicely when a not knocked about sixth on chasing debut at Leicester when looking as if needing the run, and should now be spot on to do himself justice over a trip and ground which are ideal.
Before Midnight is thus the second leg of our Henderson double at 5/2 with BetVictor this Wednesday.
Bet of the Day: Nicky Henderson double with BetVictor, O’Connell Street and Before Midnight both to win at Catterick.
