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Five winning days out of six for the week ending Sunday, 27 September, and a profit of +£13.13.
Our each-way nap on Saturday, Erzidjan, just missed out on a place from an unfavourable draw. We did recommend 100/1 third Altareq as the best each-way alternative, without actually tipping Jim Goldie’s charge.
P/L for the week ending Sunday, 27 September: +£13.13
P/L for the year to date: +£171.66
P/L for the year 2025: +£22.38
P/L for the year 2024: +£200.42
P/L since 1st September 2022: +£672.22
Alan Kelly's Tips - Friday, 2 October
Friday's card at Ascot is expected to take place on ground described as good to firm. The feature race is the Listed Noel Murless Stakes at 3:35pm.
The going is likely to be similar for Hexham’s Jumps card, the only other turf fixture taking place in Britain on Friday.
1:50pm Ascot - Tex
An 18-runner amateur jockeys’ handicap (For Male Amateur Riders) wouldn’t appear to be an ideal way to start Ascot’s two-day fixture from a betting perspective. However, with top amateur Simon Walker booked to ride, I think the George Baker-trained TEX will take a lot of beating in this 7f contest.
The grey son of Dark Angel has won on both of his previous visits to the Berkshire racecourse, the first over today’s 7f trip back in July, with the most recent coming over one mile in a Lady Amateur Jockeys Handicap last month. With the two horses racing on the same terms, I expect Tex to confirm the form with the runner-up on that occasion, Gary & Josh Moore’s Dannick, the pair 8 lengths and more clear of the rest of the field.
While Tex will have the services of one of the best amateurs in the business, Dannick will be ridden by Mr Hezekiah March, who will be having just his second ride within the last five years, as opposed to the 24 victories from 141 rides of Simon Walker. While Tex’s draw from stall 3 may not be ideal, I expect the gelding’s partner to obtain a good position off the pace before striking late. Tim Easterby’s Son and last time out winners Documenting and Tolstoy are the others to consider.
Recommendation: Tex - 4/1 with bet365
3:35pm Ascot - Galiyan
This Listed Noel Murless Stakes looks to concern William Haggas’s Infraad, winner of the Melrose (Heritage Handicap) at York’s Ebor meeting, who is set to meet the runner-up in that race, Karl Burke’s Galilean Quality, on 6lb better terms, and GALIYAN, one of two runners for trainer Andrew Balding.
While the former is clearly very progressive and open to more improvement now racing over this kind of trip, I think James Doyle's mount represents the better value based on several creditable efforts in Group company.
Despite finishing only 6th in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot, Galiyan was beaten only 3 lengths after failing to quicken in the closing stages of that Group 2 contest. The Galiway colt followed that with a narrow defeat at the hands of Point Of law in Newmarket’s Bahrain Trophy.
Fifth behind Highwayman in Doncaster’s St Leger on his most recent start, the Kingsclere runner will appreciate today’s drop in class and ground conditions, unlike Infraad, who may prefer slightly easier going.
Recommendation: Galiyan - 5/2 with bet365
3:58pm Hexham - Stylish Recruit (Nap)
The weights for this Go North Brindisi Breeze Series Qualifier are headed by the Tim Reed-trained Scottish Dancer, the winner of a handicap at Bangor last month over today’s trip. Previously with Eoin Doyle in Ireland, Harry Reed’s mount will need to defy a career-high hurdles mark of 100 if he is to record a third victory over the smaller obstacles.
In receipt of 1lb from the Highland Reel gelding, I prefer the chances of Sandy Thomson’s course specialist STYLISH RECRUIT (Nap). Three from 11 over hurdles, all coming at the Northumberland racecourse, the most recent when beating the Dan Skelton-trained Miss Kassiopi (a winner next time) over today’s distance during the summer, the pair well clear of the rest of the field.
Prior to that victory, Patrick Wadge’s mount lost nothing in defeat when beating all bar Nicky Richards' progressive Abbey Scope at Hexham, the winner of his last three starts and now rated 121. Brian Ellison’s Frisky Whiskey is lightly-raced and ran his best race to date when runner-up on his handicap debut at Cartmel just over a month ago. Brian Hughes’ mount may prove the main danger to Stylish Recruit, who is fancied to record a fourth win at the track.
Recommendation: Stylish Recruit (Nap) - 9/4 with bet365
This is Alan's Nap of the Day selection - see how it stacks up against Charlie McCann's pick too.
* 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 Free Bets in 2008.
You can follow Alan Kelly on X for more racing insight.
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