Charlie McCann’s Horse Racing Tips for Friday 20th January

Ardakan to make a winning start for Marco Botti up in distance

Updated: July 03, 2023 at 4:33 pm GMT+1

1.20pm Southwell - Norman Kindu

I am writing this on Thursday morning and Market Rasen is yet to inspect, but they are unlikely to race and best to concentrate on the synthetic tracks.

Funky Town Pinkie did us a favour when scoring over C&D from a 5lbs lower mark last month, and he ran well in defeat over an additional couple of furlongs on his latest start. He is a worthy market leader, but trainer Ivan Furtado has not saddled a winner since Funky Town Pinkie’s win a month ago, and I think NORMAN KINDU is overpriced for the in-form Rebecca Menzies.

The each-way recommendation travelled noticeably well but failed to get home over two miles in a first-time visor last time, but this return to 14f is a plus – the distance of his only win to date – and he is 10lbs lower than when scoring at Wetherby on soft ground – not good as per official description - a couple of years ago.

Alistair Rawlinson takes over in the plate for the first time, and I hope he gets a decent pace to track from what looks like a decent draw in stall four.

Charlie's Tip

1.20pm Southwel

Norman Kindu looks a huge price for the in-form Rebecca Menzies yard

Get 28/1 on Norman Kindu (Each-Way) with bet365

At 28/1 a £10 bet would return £290

Southwel

January 20, 2023

1:20 pm GMT

1.50pm Southwell - Pittsburg

Winning hurdler PITTSBURG had finished last in a couple of Kempton maidens – six and seven furlongs - before his handicap debut over a mile here last month when he was well backed and would, in all likelihood, have won had he not fluffed the start.

The step up in distance to 1m 3f looks sure to suit, and a 1lbs rise looks fair. If he gets out on terms, I feel he will take all the beating, although that has not been lost on the layers, and the 5/2 opening show with William Hill is nothing to get excited about, although he looks the most likely winner. Finley Marsh has been in the plate for all four of his flat runs, and he is in the saddle again today. Marsh has a good book of rides and will be disappointed if he comes away empty-handed.

Charlie's Tip

1.50pm Southwell

Pittsburg looks a solid bet under jockey Finley Marsh

Get 5/2 on Pittsburg with bet365

At 5/2 a £10 bet would return £35

Southwell

January 20, 2023

1:50 pm GMT

4.55pm Meydan - Ardakan (Nap of the Day)

I am most looking forward to seeing the two horses this afternoon at Meydan. Master Of The Seas in the Zabeel Mile (4.20) and ARDAKAN in the listed race for stayers over the St Leger trip of an extended 1m 6f.

Master Of The Seas is not nominated as a recommendation as he is odds on having his first start since April, but Ardakan, who won the Italian Derby over 1m 3f – when trained in Germany – has his first start for Marco Botti and races as if this step up in distance will suit. Looking at a video of the Italian classic, only stamina got him home from subsequent Group 2 winner Tempesti.

The selection was no match for Rebel’s Romance in the Gp 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin in August, but the winner was a facile winner of the Breeders Cup Turf and is unbeaten on turf in five starts – three at Group 1 level. He faces nothing of that calibre this evening. Well drawn in stall three, James Doyle takes the ride, and it will be disappointing if he doesn’t run a big race in what is a drop in grade. The opening 5/1 with Paddy Power looked too big – 4 places – but the 4s still seem fair.

* Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.

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