My picks for Saturday’s meetings in race time order.

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13:05 Sat 29 April 2023

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bet365 NOVICES’ CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL HANDICAP HURDLE (2)

Distance 1m 7f 216y

Prize £51,440 Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 16

Going Good to Soft (Soft in places) Soft (Good to Soft in places Hurdles course)

Based on the analysis of the chart and comments, I think the most likely winner of the bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle is Under Control, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville.

Other horses that may run well include Killaloan, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Harry Cobden, and Kansas Du Berlais, trained by Gary Moore and ridden by Jamie Moore.

Additionally, Celtic Art, trained by Jeremy Scott and ridden by Rex Dingle, seems to be a good contender, given its versatility regarding ground conditions and the fact that it has won two 18-runner races at Wincanton earlier in the year.

13:40 Sat 29 April 2023

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bet365 CELEBRATION CHASE (Grade 1) (1)

Distance 1m 7f 99y

Prize £91,120 Age 5yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 5

Going Good to Soft (Good in places)

Based on the analysis of the chart and comments, I believe Jonbon, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Aidan Coleman, is the most likely winner of the bet365 Celebration Chase. Jonbon has shown impressive form, with dual Grade 1 novice chase wins this season, including a wide-margin success at Aintree two weeks ago.

Other horses that may run well include Greaneteen, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Harry Cobden, who is a three-time Grade 1 winner over this course and distance, including the last two editions of this race. Additionally, Captain Guinness, trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Rachael Blackmore, has given strong performances in recent Grade 1 races and could make an impact in this event.

16:10 Sat 29 April 2023

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RIPON SILVER SPRINT TROPHY HANDICAP (2)

Distance 5f

Prize £15,462 Rated (0-105) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Surface Turf Runners 10

Going Soft

Based on the analysis of the chart and comments, I believe Vintage Clarets, trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by Oisin James Orr, is the top contender to win the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy Handicap. Vintage Clarets displayed a promising performance at Musselburgh three weeks ago, finishing strong for a second-place result. With the same mark in this race, Vintage Clarets could prove to be a dangerous competitor.

Other horses that may run well include Illusionist, trained by Grant Tuer and ridden by Sam James, who has shown strong turf form at York and can perform well when fresh. Additionally, Justanotherbottle, trained by Kevin Ryan and ridden by Rowan Scott, has a history of wins at this track and is handicapped to strike. This horse could also make an impact in the race.

16:15 Sat 29 April 2023

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STAROPRAMEN ZERO ALCOHOL HANDICAP (5)

Distance 7f

Prize £4,187 Rated (0-75) Age 3yo Race State Declaration Surface Turf Runners 6

Going Soft (Heavy in places)

Based on the analysis of the chart and comments, I believe United Force, trained by Archie Watson and ridden by Ryan Moore, has a strong chance of winning the Staropramen Zero Alcohol Handicap. United Force displayed good form in the previous AW races and now, being gelded and wearing cheekpieces, has potential for improvement. The booking of Ryan Moore is also a positive factor.

Other horses that may run well include Hour By Hour, trained by Iain Jardine and ridden by David Probert, which had a strong performance at Pontefract on seasonal debut, confirming its ability on soft ground. Strategia, trained by Marco Botti and ridden by Andrea Atzeni, is another horse to watch, as it had a creditable performance at Windsor on soft ground and could be well-suited by the drop back to 7f.

16:25 Sat 29 April 2023

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PALMERSTOWN HOUSE PAT TAAFFE HANDICAP CHASE (Grade B)

Distance 3m

Prize €50,000 Rated (0-150) Age 5yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 14

Going Good to Yielding (Yielding in places), Cross Country course: Good (Good to Yielding in places)

After analysing the chart and comments, my selection for the Palmerstown House Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase is Ramillies, ridden by D. E. Mullins and trained by W. P. Mullins. Ramillies has demonstrated good form in his chase debut at Thurles and was demoted from first place in a Grade 3 event at Naas, suggesting he has strong potential in this race.

Other contenders to watch include Flegmatik, ridden by S. W. Quinlan and trained by Dan Skelton, who has shown impressive form at Kempton and could perform well if he adapts to the track. Darver Star, ridden by Keith Donoghue and trained by Gavin Patrick Cromwell, is another interesting runner. Although he was outclassed in the Hatton’s Grace, his Wexford run might have been needed, and he could perform well in this race. Finally, Must Be Obeyed, ridden by D. J. O’Keeffe and trained by T. Gibney, deserves attention due to his overall form and his victory over Mahler Mission at this venue in December.

16:35 Sat 29 April 2023

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bet365 HANDICAP HURDLE (2)

Distance 2m 3f 173y

Prize £18,210 Rated (0-145) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 9

Going Good to Soft (Good in places)

Based on the provided information, my top pick for the race would be ICEO, with odds of 9/4. ICEO has demonstrated strong form recently, winning the Imperial Cup convincingly seven weeks ago. The 6lb rise in weight seems reasonable, and the recent rain on Thursday should improve his chances even more.

As for other potential contenders, SAMARRIVE is another horse worth keeping an eye on. Returning to hurdling with a good third at Ascot, SAMARRIVE is 1lb lower than when winning this race 12 months ago. A bold defence of his title seems likely if he handles the ground conditions. EL MUCHACHO is also worth considering, as he has consistently placed in his previous six handicaps and should benefit from Bradley Harris taking off 7lb. He is versatile in terms of ground conditions, which is a plus.

While the odds have not been mentioned, it’s important to remember that horse racing can be unpredictable, and any of the runners could potentially surprise on the day. Nevertheless, ICEO appears to be the strongest contender based on recent form and favourable conditions.

16:40 Sat 29 April 2023

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M.C.H. HUTCHINSON MEMORIAL TROPHY HANDICAP (2)

Distance 1m 4f 10y

Prize £15,462 Rated (0-106) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Surface Turf Runners 6

Going Soft

Based on the provided information, my top pick for this race would be CAPITAL THEORY, with odds of 5/2. This horse has shown good form recently, having achieved a hat-trick in December and further improvement this year. With a creditable fifth-place finish in a useful event at Kempton 19 days ago, CAPITAL THEORY should perform well if he can adapt to the ground conditions. Additionally, the yard has won the last three runnings of this race, which bodes well for this contender.

Other horses to watch in the race include DARK JEDI, who has a 2-2 record at this track and showcased career-best form last year. With a solid performance in his recent reappearance, DARK JEDI is likely to be a major contender in this small field. THUNDERING is another horse to keep an eye on, having performed well last summer and potentially still holding untapped potential. If THUNDERING returns in the same form, he could pose a strong challenge in this race.

16:50 Sat 29 April 2023

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COORS HANDICAP (6)

Distance 1m 2f

Prize £3,664 Rated (0-65) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Surface Turf Runners 10

Going Soft (Heavy in places)


Based on the information provided, my top pick for this race is SILASTAR, with odds of 2/1. This horse put up a strong performance in a recent race at Kempton, finishing as a good second when favoured. Although he’s not yet proven on softer ground in Britain, his recent form makes him a worthy contender.

Other horses that could run well in this race include IVY AVENUE, who has previously won on both heavy and good ground. With a strong second-place finish at Doncaster four weeks ago after a lengthy absence, she could improve even further and should be considered for the shortlist. Additionally, CONTRAST has shown an affinity for soft ground and may be more competitive in these conditions compared to his recent outing at Beverley.

It’s important to remember that horse racing can be unpredictable, and any of the runners could potentially surprise on the day. However, based on recent form, SILASTAR appears to be the strongest contender in this race, with IVY AVENUE and CONTRAST also worth watching.

17:50 Sat 29 April 2023

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RIPON RACES LADIES DAY 22nd JUNE HANDICAP (4)

Distance 6f

Prize £6,281 Rated (0-85) Age 3yo Race State Declaration Surface Turf Runners 10

Going Soft

e Ripon Races Ladies Day 22nd June Handicap, we have several noteworthy contenders. Here is the analysis of some of the most promising horses:

  1. BROOKLYN NINE NINE: After making a winning seasonal return at Newcastle, Brooklyn Nine Nine has demonstrated potential for further improvement. With a strong performance, this horse could defy his opening mark and prove to be a serious contender in the race.
  2. GEMINI STAR: Gemini Star has shown promise with a win at Thirsk and a good start to her handicap career with a second-place finish at Nottingham. Returning to 6f, she is one of the likelier candidates for success in this race.
  3. ANOTHER BAAR: This horse displayed significant improvement when winning a Class 5 handicap over C&D last week. Although a 6lb rise and stronger opposition pose challenges, further progress from Another Baar is not out of the question.
  4. LAKOTA BLUE: With two wins last summer and an unrepresentative run at Kempton, Lakota Blue has potential for a big performance in this race, especially with the rail to help.
  5. SIGNORA CAMACHO: Having displayed strong form in the past, Signora Camacho returns to calmer waters and could be a horse her trainer coaxes more out of this year.

While BROOKLYN NINE NINE seems to have a strong chance in this race, GEMINI STAR and the other mentioned contenders should not be overlooked. Ultimately, the outcome will depend on each horse’s performance on the day.

18:00 Sat 29 April 2023

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DOWNLOAD THE AT THE RACES APP APPRENTICE HANDICAP (6)

Distance 7f 36y

Prize £3,402 Rated (0-55) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Surface Artificial Runners 10

Going Standard

In the Download The At The Races App Apprentice Handicap, several contenders have potential for a strong performance. Here is the analysis of the most promising horses:

  1. MY BOY JACK: Showed improvement when blinkered for the first time and narrowly beaten at Southwell. Despite a less favourable outside stall, the horse has demonstrated potential with a recent third-place finish over the same distance.
  2. DIAMOND COTTAGE: Returning to form with a win at Brighton, Diamond Cottage has shown promise but needs to prove consistency on the all-weather surface, where the horse has only placed once in nine starts.
  3. SIRIUS WHITE: Following a narrow win in a classified event at Chelmsford and a close finish over the same course and distance, Sirius White remains relatively unexposed and has the advantage of a good draw in this race.
  4. CAPPANANTY CON: A nine-time winner with a recent close finish at Chelmsford, Cappananty Con is a potential contender for a place in the race, but a long losing streak may cast doubt on the horse’s ability to secure a win.
  5. KENSTONE: A veteran with a lower handicap than his last winning race, Kenstone demonstrated competitiveness with a close third-place finish at Lingfield and has each-way claims in this race.

19:00 Sat 29 April 2023

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SKY SPORTS RACING SKY 415 HANDICAP (6)

Distance 5f 21y

Prize £3,402 Rated (0-60) Age 3yo Race State Declaration Surface Artificial Runners 7

Going Standard

In the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap, there are several horses that show potential for a strong performance. Here is the analysis of the most promising contenders:

  1. WEDGEWOOD: Coming off a recent victory over the same course and distance, this horse has shown improvement and appears to be the one to beat.
  2. ZEBADAAY: Although not performing well in previous races, Zebadaay has been gelded since and is a half-brother to the useful Show Me Show Me, making him worth monitoring in the market.
  3. ASIAN QUEEN: Performed well in a recent C&D novice race but didn’t build on that performance at Chelmsford. Making her handicap debut, she might appreciate a longer distance.
  4. STAR ADORNED: Showed some ability in a Lingfield nursery race last year, with the form of that race working out well. Worth considering down in grade after a break of five months.
  5. MISS MARIANNE: A front-runner who ran her best race so far when finishing third behind Wedgewood over the same course and distance recently. She faces competition for the lead and is drawn wide.

Based on the analysis, WEDGEWOOD seems the strongest contender for the win, given the recent victory and improvement. Other horses such as ZEBADAAY, ASIAN QUEEN, and STAR ADORNED also have the potential to perform well in this race.

20:30 Sat 29 April 2023

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AT THE RACES APP FORM STUDY HANDICAP (6)

Distance 1m 1f 104y

Prize £3,402 Rated (0-55) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Surface Artificial Runners 9

Going Standard


In the At The Races App Form Study Handicap, there are a few horses with strong potential for an impressive performance. Here is the analysis of the most promising contenders:

  1. CRAZY SPIN: A front-runner with seven AW successes, Crazy Spin recently won by making just about all to beat Hopeforthebest in a selling handicap over the same course and distance. Relatively unexposed over this distance, she may enjoy the run of the race in front once again.
  2. CAPTAIN ST LUCIFER: Although having a record of only 1-28, this horse has been beaten by half a length or less in three starts over the same course and distance before his last race. He holds each-way claims as he returns to Wolverhampton.
  3. HOPEFORTHEBEST: Despite being 0-9, this horse showed improvement with the current headgear combination when running Crazy Spin to a neck over the same course and distance a fortnight ago. If the headgear continues to work, Hopeforthebest should not be far away.
  4. HOT TEAM: With two wins over 1m2f last August, including on the Newcastle Tapeta, Hot Team has shown resilience in making the frame on soft turf this month. He should make his presence felt in this race.

Based on the analysis, CRAZY SPIN seems to be the strongest contender for the win, given the recent victory and potential to enjoy the run of the race in front. Other horses such as CAPTAIN ST LUCIFER, HOPEFORTHEBEST, and HOT TEAM also have the potential to perform well in this race.

21:00 Sat 29 April 2023

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RETIREMENT? DAVID THE COMEBACK KID.. HANDICAP (6)

Distance 1m 142y

Prize £3,402 Rated (0-60) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Surface Artificial Runners 8

Going Standard

In the Retirement? David The Comeback Kid.. Handicap, several horses show potential for a strong performance. Here is the analysis of the most promising contenders:

  1. OKEANOS: With noticeable improvement since his debut in December, Okeanos recently won in first-time cheekpieces at the same course (7f). Though not guaranteed to appreciate the longer trip based on pedigree, he remains open to further progress and is a major player on form.
  2. INEXPLICABLE: Despite only two wins in his last 28 starts, this horse has achieved success five times over the course and distance. He recently finished second of 12 back at the same course and is now 1lb lower. Given the suitable conditions, Inexplicable is much respected in this race.
  3. ARLO’S SUNSHINE: A dual Southwell winner in March last year, Arlo’s Sunshine recently succeeded at Yarmouth (1m, soft). Just 2lb higher, this horse enters the race in form, unlike many of the other contenders.

Based on the analysis, OKEANOS seems to be the strongest contender for the win, given his recent victory and potential for further progress. Other horses such as INEXPLICABLE and ARLO’S SUNSHINE also have the potential to perform well in this race.

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