Billybo looks decent value at 6-1 to win the opener at Hereford this afternoon (2.30).
The seven-year-old is returning to hurdles after an unsuccesful spell over the larger obstacles, and there are plenty of reasons to suggest he could be well treated in a poor staying handicap.
The gelding was given an intial mark of 97 over hurdles after showing promise in some decent novice events, but is now racing off a 12lb lower mark.
He ran his best race when finishing a staying on 28 length fourth to Paul Nicholls highly ragraded Tataniano at Exeter over 2m 1f, suggesting that a step up in trip was what he wanted.
The son of Kayf Tara gets that today, and it's also worth noting that connections have decided to fit him with blinkers for the first time.
If they have the desired effect he is more than capable of winning a very weak affair if running anywhere near up to the form he showed in the Exeter race.
Thye booking of Jimmy McCarthy is another positive, and I can see him going off a lot shorter than 6s come flag fall.
Recommended bet: 5pts each-way Billybo (6-1 bet365, 1/4 odds 1,2,3)
