Get fresh daily selections and a standout Nap of the Day from our in-house racing expert, Alan Kelly.
Looking to boost your bets? Discover the latest betting offers from the UK's best betting sites.
For live TV action, head to our ITV Racing Tips hub for expert picks on the biggest races, and explore Ryan Moore booked rides for detailed insights on one of flat racing's most successful jockeys.
Despite four winning naps out of six (4/1, 9/4, 2/1 and 6/4 (10p R4) we ended the week with just a small profit of +£2.35.
This week's action heads to Town Moor for Doncaster’s St Leger meeting which gets underway on Thursday, while over in Ireland it is Champions weekend at Leopardstown (Saturday) and the Curragh (Sunday).
P/L for the week ending Sunday, 6 September: +£2.35
P/L for the year to date: +£160.25
P/L for the year 2025: +£22.38
P/L for the year 2024: +£200.42
P/L since 1st September 2022: +£660.00
Alan Kelly's Tips - Wednesday, 9 September
We head to the north-east for Wednesday's horse racing selections, the Flat card at Redcar along with the national hunt meeting at Sedgefield.
2:51pm Redcar - Fox Avatar
David O’Meara’s Lucky Hero is on a hat-trick following a victory in an apprentice handicap over today’s course and distance in July, followed by a comfortable success off the same mark of 75 in a three-horse affair at Newmarket nine days later.
The three-year-old son of Lucky Vega will find this tougher racing off a 10lb higher mark, despite the 5lb claim of rider Conor Whiteley. Tim Easterby’s Per Contra has been slipping down the weights and would have a great chance if able to reproduce either of his efforts at Carlisle and York during the summer.
David Allen’s mount has been struggling to recapture that level of form of late however, in which case the horse to beat may be the Roger Varian-trained FOX AVATAR, who is 2 from 6 on an artificial surface before returning to turf with a promising third at Salisbury last month.
P J McDonald’s mount looked a bit unlucky when finishing a close 5th in a Class 3 Racing League race at Wolverhampton last summer before possibly failing to last home over further at Kempton Park on his first two outings of this year. Off a mark of 83, Fox Avatar is more than capable of winning a race of this nature.
Recommendation: Fox Avatar - 5/1 with bet365
3:30pm Sedgefield - Tropical Talent (Each-Way) (Nap)
The Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero stable are responsible for two of the 9 contenders for this modest ARC Summer Chase Series Qualifier run over an extended 2m, the nine-year-old Dexter and the two years younger Tropical Talent.
While the former wasn’t beaten far by fellow rival Getaway Jewel at Worcester last month, I prefer the chances of Dexter’s stablemate TROPICAL TALENT (Each-Way) (Nap), who will be partnered by jockey Jack Tudor for the first time.
The Nathaniel gelding opened his account over fences with a victory on this course in May 2024, the seven-year-old going on to finish third at Sedgefield later that year off a mark of 84. Now down to a chase mark of 77 (81 over hurdles), the selection had his first starts for more than 14 months when fourth on the Flat at Southwell 9 days ago.
That run was clearly a pipe-opener for Tropical Talent’s return to hurdling/chasing, and following recent a wind op, this looks a good opportunity for the horse to record a second win over fences.
Micky Hammond’s Getaway Jewel has been running well during the summer, but at the age of 12 is getting no younger, and it is over three years since the gelding won off a mark this high. Jennie Candlish’s top weight Westerton makes his chasing debut and may be the one to cause Tropical Talent most problems if taking to fences.
Recommendation: Tropical Talent (Each-Way) (Nap) - 13/2 with bet365 (3 places)
This is Alan's Nap of the Day selection - see how it stacks up against Charlie McCann's pick too.
3:54pm Redcar - Idyllic (Each-Way)
Since winning a handicap at Pontefract 12 months ago, the Tim Easterby-trained Sweet Kiss is now on a losing run of 10. The daughter of Ulysses has not enjoyed the best of luck however, David Allen’s mount runner-up on three occasions, the most recent when going down by the minimum margin over today’s course and distance last month.
No one would deny the filly her first success of the season at the 7th attempt and another big run from the four-year-old is expected. Any market support for the lightly-raced trio of Golden Caviar, Al Fujaira and Sutton Hoo should be noted, but I think this is a good opportunity for Wilf Story’s IDYLLIC (Each-Way) to record her first win since landing a Thirsk handicap last summer off a 4lb higher mark.
The Bated Breath mare has run well in two races at Ayr this season, first of all when beaten less than two lengths by Jim Goldie’s Altareq in July and then when 3rd of 10, beaten three quarters of a length, in a 12-runner handicap last month, both races over today’s trip of 1m 2f.
Despite finishing only 6th at Carlisle on her most recent start, Idyllic wasn’t beaten far, only weakening close home over that furlong longer trip. The five-year-old has been partnered by a claimer in most of her races since joining the local trainer, and should appreciate the stronger handling with jockey Shane Gray taking over in the saddle for the first time.
Recommendation: Idyllic (Each-Way) - 6/1 with bet365 (3 places)
* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
Latest Horse Racing Tips, Stats & Trends
Check out more from the Freebets horse racing hub, including tips, stats, market movers and today’s racecards!
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 Free Bets in 2008.
You can follow Alan Kelly on X for more racing insight.
Latest Horse Racing News
