We’ve got daily tips from our resident horse racing expert, Alan Kelly.
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It was a very disappointing set of results on Saturday despite eight of our suggestions being heavily supported (16/1 into 4/1, 12/1 into 6/1, 12/1 into 6/1 and 14/1 into 7/1 to mention just a few).
The most eye-catching of our selections was the Roger Varian-trained Elmalko, a fast-finishing third in the Fred Darling. This well-bred filly is crying out for at least another furlong, and I am more than happy with the 66/1 I have about the daughter of Kingman for the first fillies’ Classic of the season, providing that connections decide to take the Newmarket route that is?
Before Saturday, we were having a fair week, although Dutch Decoy (tipped at 16/1 and beaten a nose after failing to get a clear run) and Beau Balko, who plucked defeat from the jaws of victory with a shattering mistake 2 out as our 11/2 nap selection on Friday, should have added to a successful first five days.
- P/L for w/e 20th April: -£7.28
- P/L for year to date: +£61.09
- P/L since 1st September 2022: +£346.26
Alan Kelly’s Horse Racing Tips for Tuesday, April 23rd
At one time, Epsom’s City & Suburban and Great Metropolitan were two of the most prestigious handicaps run throughout the entire Flat season. How times have changed. The former has attracted a field of just seven runners for the first prize of less than £26k, while the 13 runners for the latter will fight it out for total prize money of £20k.
The card also features the Listed Betfred Blue Riband Trial, although you have to go back to Blue Peter’s victory in 1939 to find the last winner to prove successful in the world’s most famous flat race.
Nap of the Day - Midair (4:30pm Epsom) - 11/8 with bet365*
From a stable in excellent form, this well-bred son of Frankel is fancied to open his account in receipt of 6lb from main rival Involvement.
2:10pm Epsom, 5f - Clearpoint (Each-Way)
Having his first run over the fastest five furlongs in the world, I think Simon Hodgson’s front-running CLEARPOINT (Each-Way) will relish this downhill course. When you throw in the fact that the mount of 3lb claimer William Carver has been handed the perfect draw (13 of 13) and is race-fit following two runs since leaving the Charlie Fellowes stable in February.
One of only four 4-year-olds in the race, the Ardad gelding showed blistering early pace when winning a Wolverhampton handicap over the minimum trip in November. The third horse home on that occasion was fellow rival One Night Stand, who meets the selection on 15lb worse terms here. While campaigned mainly on an artificial surface, I see no reason why Clearpoint can not be equally effective on turf.
In a race where there will be no hanging around, if the gaps come in time for hold-up horse Mondammej (fourth in the 2021 “Dash” and drawn 12) Antony Britten’s charge will be finishing better than most.
2:45pm Epsom, 1m 2f - Chief Little Rock (Next Best)
Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien’s only previous winner of this Derby trial came courtesy of Cape Of Good Hope in 2019, while the John Gosden stable has been responsible for seven of the last 16. John & Thady Gosden are not represented in this year’s renewal, along with Charlie Appleby, who took the race in 2021/2022.
O’Brien is represented by Chief Little Rock in this mile and a quarter trial, the Galileo colt more likely to head to Chantilly or the Curragh unless supplemented for Epsom on the first Saturday in June.
While Arabic Legend (now with trainer Karl Burke after leaving Andrew Balding towards the end of last season) is better than he showed on his final start as a juvenile (2/1 joint-favourite with the winner) in finishing almost 14 lengths behind runner-up Chief Little Rock, the Group 3 Newmarket contest going to Godolphin’s Ancient Wisdom, I expect the Ballydoyle horse to confirm that form.
While it is almost certain that the Irish raider will improve for the run, the same could be said about most of the field, including Roger Varian’s 103-rated Defiance, who was last seen finishing a close sixth in the Group 2 Royal Lodge last September. Andrew Balding’s Bellum Justum is the type to make up into a decent three-year-old over middle distances and may turn out to be the chief threat to Ryan Moore’s mount.
4:30pm Epsom, 1m 1/2f - Midair (Nap)
Despite the presence of several promising types, this extended mile novice stakes looks to concern Simon & Ed Crisford’s Involvement and MIDAIR (Nap) from the Harry Charlton stable, with preference for the latter, who is set to receive a handy 6lb from Harry Davies’ mount.
After making a winning debut at Redcar in September, Involvement was possibly unlucky not to follow up on Newcastle’s Tapeta surface two months later, just losing out in a driving finish behind the William Haggas-trained Daarkrom.
The Juddmonte-owned Midair, by Frankel and out of French 1000 Guineas fourth Modern Look, lost out by a length in a Goodwood maiden last September behind a horse, Caviar Heights, who finished third in Newmarket’s Feilden Stakes last week with a rating of 95.
James Doyle’s mount is clearly better than his current mark of 85 and with the Charlton stable in such good form (43% in the last two weeks) I will be disappointed if this promising colt fails to open his account.
* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
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 own betting shop as an owner/manager.
A successful punter with a keen eye for value, Alan has had many betting highlights down the years, 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 on Twitter for more racing insight.
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