UK Horse Racing Tips: Leicester

Stick With Bill found the Grade 1 Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury a little too hot to handle over Christmas, but connections clearly think a lot of him and the Ffos Las winner is respected now eased in class. He brings a rating of 124 to the table and should go close, but attempting to successfully give MUCKAMORE 6lb and a beating will be no easy task. Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge won a point-to-point by eight lengths last month and could be anything now making his debut under Rules. Ask Me Early boasts a similar profile to the selection and is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Muckamore 2nd Stick With Bill 3rd Ask Me Early

ROUGE VIF is difficult to get away from because he is rated 150 and is a Grade 2 winner over hurdles. An impressive Market Rasen winner on his seasonal/chase bow, the six-year-old didn't show his best form at Cheltenham but a wind operation seems to have done the trick as his close-up second in the Grade 2 Wayward Lad at Kempton was much more like it. With a clear round he should outclass both Indietir and Leskinfere.
Prediction : 1st Rouge Vif 2nd Indietir 3rd Leskinfere

WHITEHOTCHILLIFILI carries a penalty for her Wincanton triumph on Boxing Day, but Harry Fry's mare looks an above-average type and is capable of following up. She wasn't disgraced in warm bumpers last season and appears to be getting the hang of it over obstacles now. Fair Kate also shoulders a penalty for her Newbury success but has ground to make up on the selection according to official ratings, so Mystic Dreamer is the one expected to put up most resistance.
Prediction : 1st Whitehotchillifili 2nd Mystic Dreamer 3rd Fair Kate

GLANCE BACK has a fine course record and makes plenty of appeal on his first attempt at this distance off the same mark as when he was second over 2m4f here last time. Cuban Pete was a beaten favourite at Kelso last month, but is entitled to be thereabouts if continuing the form he has shown so far this term. Sedgefield third Never Up is now 1lb lower than when last scoring and is respected, with Dontminddboys, who was victorious in this in 2018, another who could be lurking on a winnable mark despite some uninspiring efforts of late.
Prediction : 1st Glance Back 2nd Never Up 3rd Cuban Pete

ZAMANI got off the mark at the second attempt when three lengths clear of his rivals at Fontwell and could have plenty more to come on his handicap debut here. Shetland Bus is 5lb higher than when winning at Musselburgh last month, but his jockey's claim negates that rise and Justin Landy's seven-year-old is a player here if handling the testing conditions. Course-and-distance winner The Crooner is one who will relish the deep ground, with Rootless Tree and American Tom others with possibilities in this.
Prediction : 1st Zamani 2nd Shetland Bus 3rd The Crooner

WHAT'S THE SCOOP hinted his turn was approaching when second at Newcastle last time and is expected to remain competitive off this 2lb higher mark and mount another bold bid. Big runs from Hurricane Arcadio, who went close over this distance at Wincanton when last sighted, and the consistent Rizzardo, who drops back from 2m6f after picking up the silver medal here last time, would also come as no surprise.
Prediction : 1st Whats The Scoop 2nd Hurricane Arcadio 3rd Rizzardo

KESTREL VALLEY bolted up by 27 lengths at Lingfield when last sighted and Matt Sheppard's six-year-old rates the one to beat now turned out swiftly under a penalty. Kapga De Lily is worth a market check on her return from an absence given her unexposed profile, while Astra Via could potentially step up on the level of form she showed when third over 2m at Uttoxeter last time now granted this stiffer test.
Prediction : 1st Kestrel Valley 2nd Kapga De Lily 3rd Astra Via