Three tips from Oddschecker's racing tipster, with a big price fancy to be had at Newbury.
15.25 Ayr
Sometimes it seems like a pointless exercise opposing a certain trainer when everything from their stable keeps winning and that mindset applies to Dan Skelton’s BORN SURVIVOR (NAP) (best price 4-1) despite the competitive nature of this handicap chase.
Terrific results at both big Festival for the Warwickshire handler recently have been topped up by a fine strike rate since and with the drying conditions having a great deal to do with how so many of those in his care are performing, the good ground at this weekend’s Scottish National fixture will suit all of his inmates – including this chap.
Although there was nothing wrong with latest effort when fourth to subsequent Ryanair runner-up Aso at Cheltenham, soft ground that day in early January wouldn’t have been ideal and he’s best judged on his victory under ideal conditions at Wetherby on his opening start to the campaign. In a well-run affair at the Yorkshire track, the son of King’s Theatre was always projecting a certain air of confidence and in going on to score with plenty on hand, he took the scalps of some pretty useful handicappers. With form figures of 2111 when off the track for over 100 days, the classy eight-year-old has everything in his favour to produce another virtuoso display.
16.10 Newbury
Space Blues created a favourable impression when scored in some style on his debut last season so there’s no great surprise he ships up here a warm order with the punters, but there could be some better value to be had in the without the favourite market with KALOOR (best price 8-1 W/Out Space Blues).
Tradition says that if one of Brian Meehan’s wins first time out, it usually turns out to be pretty good and that theory is worth putting to the test again here. Not particularly well fancied on his opening gambit at Salisbury in October, the son of Nathanial still had plenty on his plate with two furlongs to run at the Wiltshire venue, but in finishing off his race best of all, he eventually ended up winning going away.
Moreover, his overall speed figure suggested he’d run to a fairly smart level first time off the bat and with the likelihood of even more to come now racing over a trip in-keeping with his pedigree, he should be capable of given a bold account for an owner who’s enjoyed a good deal of success with the likes of Raheen House and Spark Plug.
17.40 Kempton
LA MAQUINA (best price 4-1) quickened up in smart style to land a competitive handicap over tonight’s course last time out and with the step up in trip a likely source of improvement, George Baker’s gelding is strongly fancied to maintain his progression.
Dropped out from his high draw early and behind turning out of the back straight, the son of Dutch Art seemingly had plenty left on his plate with three furlongs to run, but in finding a powerful surge up the inside going past the cutaway, he pulled an unlikely victory out of the fire.
Running the backend of that well-run affair in the best splits on the card pointed to a horse that has clearly benefitted from a recent wind op and with the race in question having worked out well with the likes of Hammer Gun, In The Red and Global Tango (twice) all winning since, the form looks rock solid.
