Best bets for the day from Steve Ryder and Oddschecker Unlimited tipsters, as well as key races to follow.
14:45 Leicester
There is jumps racing at Leicester and Catterick on Tuesday 25th February while Wolverhampton stages an all-weather meeting tonight.
Today’s Best Bets from Steve Ryder
This looks a weak 0-100 handicap chase and it looks a good opportunity for JUMPER MADRIK (best priced at EVENS) to complete a hat-trick of wins. The Charlie Longsdon trained six-year-old finished well beaten on his three qualifying runs over hurdles but has proved a revelation since going novice chasing. A 3 ¼ length winner at Leicester in December off an opening mark of 79, he followed up at Wetherby on his next start off a mark of 87 by 2 ½ lengths.
The handicapper has raised Jumper Madrik 7lbs for that success which is fair and this progressive chaser should record another victory for a stable who are coming back into form.
16:30 Catterick
The George Bewley trained POETRY MAN (best priced at 4/1) unseated his rider on his final two starts last season but made a triumphant return defying odds of 20/1 over this course and distance. The seven-year-old has shown improved form since the application of cheekpieces and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he stepped forward from that reappearance run.
Poetry Man has been raised 8lbs by the handicapper for his eased down eight-length success and he looks overpriced to follow up in this contest.
15:30 Catterick
Spaceport is a smart recruit to juvenile hurdling having been rated 88 on the flat but the booking of Sean Bowen on BALLYVANGO (best priced at 6/4) catches the eye. The six-year-old has been ridden by 7lb claimer Daire McConville on his three hurdling starts including when finishing 2nd in his two most recent races at Kelso and Uttoxeter. Champion jockey elect Sean Bowen now gets on board which rates as a huge jockey upgrade.
An official rating of 108 sets a good standard for the likes of Spaceport and Solent Gateway to aim at but I am expecting Ballyvango to get off the mark on his fourth hurdles start.
