UK Horse Racing Tips: Leicester

LUCY THE WIRE brings hurdling experience to the table following her debut second at Cork for Denis Hogan. Now switched to James Owen, she makes plenty of appeal in a bid to go one better. Graceful Glance placed in a Stratford bumper and has to be of interest coming from the family of Reve De Sivola. Newcomer Knowstone completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Lucy The Wire 2nd Graceful Glance 3rd Knowstone

CLOSE COMBAT has improved with each start over hurdles and returns to action having scored at Exeter in February. The four-year-old has shown useful form with plenty of cut in the ground and that augurs well for his handicap bow. Stardrop clearly benefited from being dropped in at Warwick on his penultimate start as the juvenile has since won at Sedgefield. He enters calculations along with Dinofromberlais, who is taken to improve from his reappearance at Uttoxeter.
Prediction : 1st Close Combat 2nd Stardrop 3rd Dinofromberlais

Home Made Hero made a promising start when scoring emphatically on his hurdling debut at Uttoxeter last month. A 7lb penalty might not be a problem, but the fact he jumped and hung left during that contest gives enough of a concern now going the other way round. With that in mind, SWINDON VILLAGE may prove to be the answer. Charlie Longsdon's gelding had Lon Chaney (fifth) in behind when third at Ffos Las, which might prove to be a solid piece of form.
Prediction : 1st Swindon Village 2nd Home Made Hero 3rd Lon Chaney

John Barbour showed the benefit of a step up in trip when winning at Uttoxeter latest, but although respected from 5lb higher, AKIMOS gets the vote. The son of Westerner was beaten a neck into second on his seasonal return/handicap bow at Sandown three weeks ago and still looks well treated, despite a 4lb rise. Woodland Park looks certain to relish a return to further, and veteran My Bobby Dazzler wouldn't be without a chance from a falling mark.
Prediction : 1st Akimos 2nd John Barbour 3rd Woodland Park

THERE RUNS MARY was far from fluent on her hurdles bow, but she didn't need to come out of first gear to justify cramped odds. Olly Murphy's mare ought to have learned plenty from that experience, though, and whilst a few of these have something to prove she is expected to go in again. Smart Decision already has three hurdling victories to his name and is the likeliest threat, but there is a suspicion he'll need more to take home gold this time. Sir Hobnob completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st There Runs Mary 2nd Smart Decision 3rd Sir Hobnob

Girl Of Gold has only found one too good in both of her starts over the smaller obstacles and is of interest stepping into a handicap for the first time. However, HIGHBURY HILL made the frame in this class at Chepstow earlier this month and is just 2lb higher. This represents just her third start in a handicap and she looks the way to go. Pooley's Promise is another to watch out for.
Prediction : 1st Highbury Hill 2nd Girl Of Gold 3rd Pooleys Promise