Best bets for the day from Steve Ryder and Oddschecker+ Premium tipsters, as well as key races to follow.
14:50 Musselburgh
Steve Ryder runs through the key races on 21st March and names his best bets for the day.
There is jumps racing at Newbury, Ffos Las and Musselburgh on Friday 21st March while Southwell and Dundalk stage all-weather meetings this evening.
Today’s Best Bets from Steve Ryder
Quian is respected in his hat-trick bid but preference instead goes to BEAT THE RETREAT (best priced at 9/2) who bids to make it 2/2 in cheekpieces. The Nick Alexander trained six-year-old ran well over this course and distance in November when 2nd off a mark of 88 before running below form on his next two starts.
As a result, Beat The Retreat had dropped down to a mark of 85 when he won in first time cheekpieces here last time and has only been raised 4lbs for that 1 ¼ length success. He should remain competitively handicapped off that mark of 89 if cheekpieces work for a second time.
16:37 Newbury
This looks a competitive 0-115 handicap hurdle but the most interesting contender is MURPHY’S MILAN (best priced at 13/2) on his handicap debut. The Philip Hobbs & Johnson White trained six-year-old caught the eye behind graded performers Kingston Pride and Quebecois on his first two career starts before finishing 4th on his final qualifying run in November.
Murphy’s Milan has been given a 119 day break since and now return to make his handicap debut off an opening mark of 109. This step up in trip to 3 miles for the first time should suit him on breeding and his running style on his penultimate start and he looks worth chancing in this race.
19:30 Southwell
The James Tate trained KING OF ITHACA (best priced at 3/1) has a fantastic record at Southwell with form figures of 13121 and he races here off only a 5lb higher mark than last time. The five-year-old is often held up in his races so a strong pace will suit and he has the perfect draw to get early cover from Stall 1.
Rossa Ryan, who rode him to his 1 ¼ length victory last time, retains the ride and he should be able to record a fourth course and distance success.
