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Four winning days out of six and a healthy profit of +£14.26 on the week.
Trial’s Day at Cheltenham on Saturday provided several clues for the festival in just over six weeks' time, although the day felt very flat following the injury sustained by Sir Gino in the Unibet Hurdle.
The highlight of the week ahead is Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival which features a total of six Grade 1 races over the two days.
- P/L for the week ending Sunday, 25 January: +£14.26
- P/L for the year 2026 to date: +£6.55
- P/L for the year 2025: +£22.38
- P/L for the year 2024: +£200.42
- P/L since 1st September 2022: +£507.21
Alan Kelly's Tips - Thursday, 29 January
If the meeting goes ahead as planned, conditions are likely to prove attritional for Thursday’s jumps card at Wincanton.
On the other hand, ground conditions for the Scottish meeting at Ayr are currently described as soft.
2:43pm Ayr - Stede Bonnet (Nap)
An easy winner at Newcastle two days ago with jockey Tristan Durrell on board, the Dan Skelton-trained Le Beau Madrik must be considered a far from certain runner in this informative novices’ hurdle, on this occasion with Harry Skelton taking over in the saddle.
If the grey five-year-old is allowed to take his chance, this lightly-raced contender may prove the one to beat yet again if his exertions of two days ago have not left their mark. However, with or with the Skelton runner, I prefer to side with Gordon Elliott’s Irish raider STEDE BONNET (Nap), the mount of champion jockey Sean Bowen.
Runner-up on this course behind Gordon Richards' highly regarded Upon Tweed on the first day of December, Stede Bonnet went on to turn over a hotpot of Willie Mullins in a Tramore maiden on New Years Day with the third horse home a distance behind in a field of 13.
While Cavalier du Luy, Irandando Has and Sanilam all have winning form to their name, the Cullentra House runner looks the one to follow with a view to the future.
Recommendation: Stede Bonnet (Nap)
3:43pm Ayr - Tommy Combats
A Go North One Man Series Qualifier in which several of the 11 contenders have shown little in the way of decent recent form. Dan Skelton’s Wotter Trotter has looked far from straightforward on his three runs to date over fences, but Harry Skelton’s mount led for a long way at Uttoxeter on his most recent start and any market support for the lightly-raced six-year-old should be noted.
One horse who has done little wrong this season is the Nick Alexander-trained Ballyfort, winner of races at Kelso and here at Ayr, and possibly unlucky at the Borders racecourse when finishing third following a bad mistake 3 out in the middle of those two victories.
A rise of 3lb for his win on this course earlier in the month is far from harsh regarding Bruce Lynn’s mount, who looks sure to play a leading role once again. However, in receipt of 7lb from Ballyfort, this looks a good opportunity for Martin Todhunter’s TOMMY COMBATS to record a second victory over fences, the first coming at Hexham 13 months ago.
Runner-up on all three starts over fences on this course, including when going down by less than two lengths in a Monet's Garden Series Qualifier in November, Callum Bewley’s mount unseated his rider when holding every chance at Newcastle two weeks ago and would certainly not be winning out of turn granted more good fortune on this occasion.
Recommendation: Tommy Combats
* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
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About Alan Kelly
A passionate follower of horse racing for over 50 years, Alan has enjoyed a 40-year career in the betting industry, 28 of which he spent running his betting shop as an owner/manager.
A successful punter with a keen eye for value, Alan has had many betting highlights, including a Scoop 6 win and has shown a consistent profit in the battle with bookmakers since joining Freebets.com in 2008.
You can follow Alan Kelly on Twitter for more racing insight.
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