My picks for Tuesday’s racing.

·

13:40 Tue 25 April 2023

SSR logo

CAZOO NOVICES’ HURDLE (4)

Distance 1m 7f 182y

Prize £4,520 Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 10

Going Good to Soft

My top pick would be POLYPHONIC (IRE) with odds of 13/8. Trained by Milton Harris and ridden by Bradley Harris, this horse has shown consistent form, especially with the added hood, which should give it a competitive edge in this race.

Another horse to watch is ILOT DE L’ISLE (FR) at 11/4 odds. Trained by Richard Bandey and ridden by Harry Bannister, this French bumper winner has shown promise and is making its British debut with a 7lb penalty. This makes Ilot De L’Isle an interesting candidate to run well in this race.

Lastly, NORN IRON (IRE) at 11/2 odds could be another horse to keep an eye on. Trained by Oliver Sherwood and ridden by Brendan Powell, this horse is relatively untested but showed potential with a fourth-place finish in a bumper at Chepstow. Switching to hurdling may bring out better performance, and it is worth noting that its dam was proficient over longer distances.

14:05 Tue 25 April 2023

SSR logo

QUINNBET HANDICAP (6)

Distance 1m 3y

Prize £3,402 Rated (0-65) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Surface Turf Runners 6

Going Soft (Heavy In Places)

My top pick would be VITRALITE (IRE) with odds of 7/4. Trained by S.P.C. Woods and ridden by Robert Havlin, this horse has shown promise with a successful start for its new yard in a 7f handicap at Chelmsford 24 days ago. Given that the runner-up has also won since, Vitralite holds strong claims off a 3lb higher mark in this race.

Another horse to keep an eye on is CAVALLUCCIO (IRE) at 3/1 odds. Trained by Alice Haynes and ridden by Mark Crehan, this horse has been on an upward trajectory and recently won a 1m2f Chelmsford handicap just five days ago. Although Cavalluccio has only raced twice on turf back in 2021, it’s still a contender not to be taken lightly under a 5lb penalty.

Lastly, ELEVEN ELEVEN (FR) at 10/3 odds could be another horse to watch. Trained by Jessica Macey and ridden by Lewis Edmunds, this horse has shown good form, winning at Newcastle (1m) in February and finishing third on its turf debut in a 1m Nottingham handicap 13 days ago. With an unchanged mark, Eleven Eleven is a worthy contender for the shortlist.

14:50 Tue 25 April 2023

SSR logo

CHC COUNTRY FAIR 17TH JUNE @cothibridge NOVICES’ HANDICAP CHASE (4)

Distance 2m 4f 199y

Prize £4,859 Rated (0-120) Age 5yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 8

Going Good to Soft

My top pick would be EATON COLLINA (IRE) with odds of 11/4. Trained by Kerry Lee and ridden by Richard Patrick, this horse is in excellent form, arriving on a hat-trick after recent wins at Chepstow and Ascot. Although Eaton Collina is up another 6lb, the horse is thriving and should not be taken lightly.

Another horse to watch is JAZZ KING (FR) at 3/1 odds. Trained by Sam Thomas and ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies, Jazz King is a fairly useful maiden hurdler who scored impressively in a 2m4f Ludlow handicap 33 days ago. With the tongue strap back on and a 7lb rise in the weights, Jazz King is capable of performing better and could put up another bold showing.

WEWILLGOWITHPLANB (IRE) at 11/2 odds could be another contender in this race. Trained by Richard Bandey and ridden by Harry Bannister, this fair ex-Irish scorer has improved under his current yard. Wewillgowithplanb won a 2m2f Fontwell handicap on his chase debut in March and then finished second in a 2m Hexham handicap hurdle. With more to offer returned to fences and over this longer trip, Wewillgowithplanb has a strong chance in the race.

16:00 Tue 25 April 2023

SSR logo

KP TYRES LLANELLI HANDICAP HURDLE (4)

Distance 2m 4f

Prize £4,330 Rated (0-120) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 9

Going Good to Soft

My top pick would be BUMPY JOHNSON (IRE) with odds of 9/4. Trained by David Pipe and ridden by Jack Tudor, Bumpy Johnson won over the course and distance in February following a wind operation. After a fair performance at Doncaster and a very close second at Exeter a fortnight ago, Bumpy Johnson has solid claims in this race.

Another horse to watch is KING OF BRAZIL with odds of 7/2. Trained by Katy Price and ridden by Gavin Sheehan, King of Brazil has demonstrated ability on soft and heavy ground. He won a novice race at Warwick last month and placed a respectable third under a penalty at Newbury. Beginning handicap life on a fair mark, King of Brazil could have more to offer.

BIG AMBITIONS (IRE) at 11/2 odds is another contender in this race. Trained by Jonjo O’Neill and ridden by Jonjo O’Neill Jr., Big Ambitions has shown promise in both hurdle starts, most recently placing third in a competitive maiden race at Lingfield. This lightly raced 5-year-old is bred to improve over longer distances and could make significant progress on his handicap debut.

17:00 Tue 25 April 2023

SSR logo

CAZOO SEARCH DRIVE SMILE HANDICAP (5)

Distance 5f 42y

Prize £4,187 Rated (0-70) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Surface Turf Runners 5

Going Soft (Heavy In Places)

I believe Han Solo Berger (#4) is the most likely winner of this race. He has recently capitalized on a reduced mark after a six-month break, winning a 5f Southwell handicap 19 days ago. The form has been franked, so despite taking a 4lb rise, he remains a strong contender as a C&D winner.

Other potential contenders include Gustav Graves (#6) and Bang On The Bell (#5). Gustav Graves has shown good recent form, and despite an unlucky run at a 5f Wolverhampton handicap, he should be in the mix. Bang On The Bell has won at Wolverhampton 20 days ago and is racing off a 6lb lower mark here. However, his turf performance has been less impressive, so that is something to consider.

Trois Vallees (#3) is another one to watch on her seasonal return and yard debut. She has been consistent in previous races and could be a potential surprise package in this race.

17:10 Tue 25 April 2023

SSR logo

CAZOO HANDICAP CHASE (5)

Distance 2m 3f 83y

Prize £3,406 Rated (0-105) Age 5yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 8

Going Good to Soft

Bolsover Bill (#1) appears to be the strongest contender for the win. He justified favouritism in his last race at Plumpton and has undergone a second wind surgery since then. With a 3-6 record under Dylan Kitts, Bolsover Bill is a significant threat in this race.

Natty Night (#3) is another horse to consider, having posted his best chasing effort last month at Hereford. He is still unexposed in this discipline, and with Charlie Deutsch taking over in the saddle, he is worthy of consideration.

Abaya Du Mathan (#7) is also worth mentioning, as he is now 16lb lower than when he won this race a year ago. However, his recent performances have been less impressive, so it might be better to look elsewhere.

Haveanothergoflo (#2) is another potential contender. While he has not won over hurdles, he has shown progress and was competitive in his last race at Carlisle. As a long-distance traveller, he is respected on his chase and handicap debut.

19:10 Tue 25 April 2023

RTV logo

KILDARE HUNT CLUB CROSS COUNTRY CHASE

Distance 3m 1f (XC)

Prize €15,000 Age 5yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 12

Going Yielding

Vital Island (#2) appears to be the most likely winner. He has a strong record at this course, having won this race last year, and has also claimed two open points at banks courses recently. Vital Island’s performance suggests that he has a solid chance of winning this race once again.

De Nordener (#4) is another horse worth considering. He has won two points last year and ran a respectable race when he finished 21 lengths behind Vital Island in this contest. Despite being well-beaten in his only run since then, De Nordener will likely be well-prepared for this race and could get involved.

Old Style Humor (#7) has a decent record in points but was beaten significantly in a winners’ of three race recently. He was only 7 lengths behind Vital Island in a banks point race in March, but he will need cheekpieces to bring out his best performance.

Three By Two (#12) dead-heated in a maiden point race in March and finished a respectable third in a winners’ of two race. However, his previous form under rules has been mostly modest, and he will need to find more to be competitive in this race.

20:00 Tue 25 April 2023

SSR logo

AT THE RACES APP EXPERT TIPS HANDICAP (6)

Distance 2m 120y

Prize £3,402 Rated (0-60) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Surface Artificial Runners 11

Going Standard

Based on the chart and comments, Mr Rumbalicious (#8) appears to have a strong chance of winning. He has been performing well lately, claiming a narrow victory at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) last month, and remains unexposed over this distance on the Flat. Given his recent form, Mr Rumbalicious should be shortlisted.

Another contender to consider is Young Endless (#6). Although he has been well-beaten in his previous starts, he is stepping up in trip for this handicap debut after a nine-month break and will wear cheekpieces. As a brother to a 2m AW winner, there’s potential for improvement, and the market may provide further insight into his chances.

Vienna Girl (#2) is also worth a second look. She won a bumper last summer and, although she hasn’t threatened since, her recent third-place finish in a Newcastle novice (1m2f, Tapeta) was not entirely disappointing. With a couple of winners having emerged from that race, Vienna Girl may appreciate the return to a stiffer test on her handicap debut.

Lastly, Huscari (#5) should be respected as he drops back down in grade. He recently secured a narrow victory at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) and ran well when finishing fourth of six in a better race at Chelmsford (2m, Polytrack) 12 days ago.

20:30 Tue 25 April 2023

SSR logo

SKY SPORTS RACING SKY 415 HANDICAP (5)

Distance 1m 142y

Prize £4,187 Rated (0-70) Age 3yo Race State Declaration Surface Artificial Runners 8

Going Standard

So Chic (#7) seems to be a strong contender for the win. She had her 11th-time lucky win over 7f here last month and has shown a liking for this course. However, she is yet to prove her ability over this distance and is relatively exposed. Nonetheless, her recent form makes her a top pick for this race.

Another horse to consider is Equiami (#8), who has shown improvement in each of his AW starts, especially since being gelded before his penultimate outing. He narrowly won at Southwell (1m, Tapeta) 11 days ago, and the way he performed suggested that this slightly stiffer test would suit him. He should be respected, being up 2lb.

Native Beach (#2) is another one to keep an eye on. He demonstrated his ability in two of his three starts before winning a 7f maiden here this month. The return to a longer trip should not be an issue for him on his handicap debut, and he is expected to make his presence felt.

Finally, Outrace (#3) has shown consistency since switching to handicaps on the AW (record 2221334) and was a runner-up in both visits here (9.5f) at the start of the year. Although he seemed to find the sharp track against him when finishing fourth of seven at Lingfield (1m, Polytrack) last time, he is still respected for his previous performances.

Leave a comment

Get updates

From art exploration to the latest archeological findings, all here in our weekly newsletter.

Subscribe