VC Bet Nunthorpe Stakes Fixed Odds Betting Preview

The VC Bet Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Thursday (2.30) looks as competitive as ever this year but the bookies have French raider Chineur pencilled in as clear favourite at around the 11-4 mark. This could prove to be a big mistake because the Roger Charlton-trained Avonbridge is consequently being offered at hugely generous odds of 11-2 with Bet365. Needless to say, my advice is to get stuck in.The five-year-old was kicked into the lead two furlongs out in the July Cup and managed to burn off all of the 19-strong field bar Pastoral Pursuits, who cut down the selection inside the final furlong to score by a length and a quarter. To his credit, Avonbridge kept on all the way to the line and was never in any danger of giving up second place to the chasing pack headed by the third-placed Etlaala.The son of Averti posted a solid effort on his seasonal reappearance in the Group Three Palace House Stakes at Newmarket in May when giving Ashdown Express 6lb and a half-a-length beating. That form is rock-solid and the blistering pace that this horse possesses will make him extremely difficult to peg back over this sharp five furlongs.Chineur dispelled concerns regarding his ability to act on fast ground when landing the King's Stand over the Nunthorpe course and distance in June, beating Boogie Street by just under two lengths. That was a sound performance by the Mikel Delzangles-trained charge and he is sure to be in the shake up. However, it is worth remembering that some of the principals in the King's Stand failed to fire and, as such, the form may not be all that it initially seems, especially as a glance through the four-year-old's previous form leaves him with plenty to find with the likes of Avonbridge.A bigger danger may be Mark Wallace's Benbaun, who has improved no end this season. He was one of those that were below par in the King's Stand, but atoned for that disappointing show when beating Osterhase in a Listed contest at The Curragh next time. The runner-up franked the form when scoring next time and the fourth home, Fire Up The Band, landed a Group 3 at Goodwood subsequently.There's no reason to believe Fire Up The Band will reverse the placings, while Benbaun also appears to hold Balmont on a form line through Osterhase, who beat Jeremy Noseda's charge last time. With these factors in mind, Benbaun rates the main danger to Avonbridge.Last year's winner Bahmian Pirate hasn't been in very good form so far this term and the likelihood of good ground or faster on Thursday is a big negative for the ten-year-old. There's plenty in with each-way chances, including Barry Hills' pair Moss Vale and La Cucaracha. But Avonbridge stands out on his July Cup effort and will take a world of beating. Betting verdict: 2pt win Avonbridge @ 11/2 (Bet 365)