UK Horse Racing Tips: Leicester

A novice hurdle with plenty of winning form to work with, and one unbeaten runner in RED DIRT ROAD, who took a point-to-point at Ballindenisk and a maiden hurdle at Southwell. This does look a much deeper contest, but he may well improve for his first start in 11 months and if that is the case, he should prove hard to beat. Cuthbert Dibble caught the eye when third here on his hurdling bow and could go well if he brushes up on his jumping. Clonakilty and C&D winner Mount Tempest might follow them home.
Prediction : 1st Red Dirt Road 2nd Cuthbert Dibble 3rd Clonakilty

UNEXPECTED PARTY represents the Skelton team, who have won two of the four runnings of this contest, and after a second at Exeter to McFabulous and a third to Jonbon in the Henry VIII at Sandown, he ought to find this company much more to his liking. Gentleman At Arms was smart over timber, with two wins at Huntingdon before finishing runner-up in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle, and if he takes to fences, he could go well. Loughderg Rocco was beaten half a length by Gelino Bello at Wetherby and will be running on now dropping back from three miles.
Prediction : 1st Unexpected Party 2nd Gentleman At Arms 3rd Loughderg Rocco

FANCY FOUNDATIONS failed to fire on his debut for these connections in a handicap chase at Stratford, but he is heavily favoured on these terms and should be hard to beat at this sort of level. Ambassador has to be of some interest on his return to action and cannot be discounted, while Marajman is more than capable of going well if bouncing back to his best.
Prediction : 1st Fancy Foundations 2nd Ambassador 3rd Marajman

CAPTAIN IVAN was an impressive winner over 2m at Southwell a month ago and even a 7lb rise for that success many not be enough to stop him today. That said, Obey The Rules scored over course and distance last time and will be dangerous in an open event, while Crack Du Ninian and Happy Du Mesnil complete the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Captain Ivan 2nd Obey The Rules 3rd Crack Du Ninian

The unexposed PLAYFUL SAINT made Cheltenham Festival winner Love Envoi pull out all the stops when second at Sandown earlier in the month and he is hard to oppose here, despite a 3lb rise in the ratings. Milldam has made the frame in both starts so far this season and could prove to be the biggest threat to the selection, ahead of Mcgowan's Pass and Zambezi Fix.
Prediction : 1st Playful Saint 2nd Milldam 3rd Mcgowans Pass

A number of these look to hold claims, but course scorer DAME DU SOIR showed a fantastic attitude when winning at Cheltenham last time and she edges the vote off bottom weight. Our Jet is entitled to improve for his seasonal/chasing debut second at Southwell last month and must enter calculations. Tap Tap Boom, Ile De Jersey and Maninsane are other in-form players with claims.
Prediction : 1st Dame du Soir 2nd Our Jet 3rd Tap Tap Boom

It could pay to side with BLENDED STEALTH in what looks a tricky puzzle for punters to solve. He pulled 21 lengths clear of the third when a length second over an extended 1m7f at Leicester last time, and going back up in distance should be a plus. Keplerian was sent off favourite when fifth on his seasonal/stable debut at Chepstow in October and he can take a step forward here. Lily's Gem, Big Bee Hive and Sir Jack West are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Blended Stealth 2nd Keplerian 3rd Lilys Gem