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 Wednesday, April 24th
Wednesday’s flat card at Catterick makes only limited appeal, whereas there is some decent jumps action to be had at Perth, Ludlow, Uttoxeter and Taunton. The first day of Perth’s popular April fixture is of particular interest, including a couple of Class 1 Listed races.
“Tip of the Day” - Gunshot Ridge (3:55pm Perth) - 2/1 with bet365*
Back over a more suitable trip, Olly Murphy’s charge is fancied to repeat his Aintree victory of 17 months ago off a mark only 1lb higher.
3:25pm Perth, 3m - Apple Away
An absolutely cracking Listed mares’ chase, made so due to the participation of Irish challengers from the stables of Gavin Cromwell, Gordon Elliott and of course Willie Mullins. All three mares are rated in the 140′s but the vote goes to Lucinda Russell’s 135-rated APPLE AWAY.
Beaten twice by the 157-rated Grey Dawning, the daughter of Arctic Cosmos ran well for a long way in Cheltenham’s National Hunt Chase until her stamina ran out over the 3m 6f trip on heavy ground. Derek Fox’s mount will be more at home under today’s conditions and from a stable with such a good record at this meeting, is fancied to see off the powerful Irish trio.
3:35pm Ludlow, 2m 5 1/2f - Giulietta (Next Best)
Dan Skelton’s title challenge may have hit a bit of a flat spot at the weekend with Willie Mullins’ Ayr four-timer but the trainer can make a small dent in the Irish handler’s substantial lead with a victory for the stable’s GIULIETTA in this mares’ novices’ handicap.
Still a maiden following seven runs over hurdles, the daughter of Great Pretender has shown enough to suggest she is capable of winning this modest Class 5 contest off a mark of only 85. The nearest Harry Skelton’s mount has come to troubling the judge was when going down by a neck at Warwick last November. While the form of that race has taken a few subsequent knocks, it still represents some of the best on offer in this company.
Sent off favourite for a similar race at Taunton towards the end of last month, Giulietta was far from disgraced in finishing a close third and with that race under her belt (first for 105 days) is fancied to open her account at long last.
Neill Mulholland’s Of Course You Can makes her handicap debut off a mark of 95 and is open to improvement. But Giulietta’s main danger is probably the horse who finished one place behind her last time, Emma Hamilton from the Henry Daly stable.
3:55pm Perth, 2m - Gunsight Ridge (Nap)
In his on-going quest for the British trainers’ championship, Willie Mullins is represented in this 2m handicap chase by top weight Figaroc, who has yet to record his first victory over fences in five previous attempts. While the ground will be no problem for the nine-year-old, I prefer to side with Olly Murphy’s GUNSIGHT RIDGE (Nap), who returns to his favoured minimum trip after finishing third over an extra four furlongs at Newbury last month behind course specialist Heltenham, only relinquishing the lead jumping the final fence.
Sean Bowen’s mount’s last victory came under similar conditions at Aintree 17 months ago off a mark only 1lb lower. Lucinda Russell’s course and distance winner Mint Gold can follow the selection home.
7:35pm Taunton, 2m 5 1/2f - Imperial Joe (Each-Way)
On just his third start over fences, the booking of champion jockey elect Harry Cobden for the Michael Blake-trained Royal Sam is interesting. The seven-year-old is rated 7lb lower over fences compared to a hurdles mark of 93 and could be well handicapped if a recent wind op proves to have been successful.
Harry Derham’s Hard Frost has disappointed twice since winning here in December but still heads a list of possible winners of this Class 5 contest. Following a break of 159 days, the David Dennis-trained Hobie ran well for a long way in a hurdle race at Hereford earlier in the month and any support for the lightly-raced chaser should be noted, especially with Sam Twiston-Davies taking over in the saddle for the first time.
The one they all have to beat however is top weight IMPERIAL JOE (Each-Way) for the Tim Dennis stable, the mount of jockey Sean Houlihan. The eight year-old has an enviable record at Taunton with form figures reading 2-4-2-1-1-2-3-3. The son of Imperial Monarch’s latest victory came here 12 months ago off a mark of 99.
Only 1lb higher today, Imperial Joe will be more at home over today’s extended 2m 5f rather than when finishing third at Taunton over two miles last month. In such a weak contest, the selection can record his third success on the track.
* 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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