Steve Ryder picks out three best bets for Wednesday's racing at Nottingham and Kempton.
2:16 NottinghamSee All Odds
TIP 1: CENTIGRADE - 1pt Win
Best odds of 11/8 at BetVictor while publishing.
The highlight of the card at Nottingham is the listed Robin Hood Stakes and the progressive CENTIGRADE (best priced at 11/8) should be able to record his first victory in this grade. The Ralph Beckett trained four-year-old has won both of his starts on heavy ground in his career including when beating the re-opposing Checkandchallenge, who meets off 4lbs worse terms in this race, by 1 ¾ lengths at Haydock last time.
Centigrade has an official rating of 105 which puts him only 4lbs behind Room Service but he has a much more progressive profile. Both All Moonshine and Mr Swivell should ensure a good pace in conditions and he looks the one to beat.
3:16 NottinghamSee All Odds
TIP 2: MAXIDENT - 1pt Win
Best odds of 7/2 at Star Sports while publishing.
The 1m6f on heavy ground will suit the consistent MAXIDENT (best priced at 7/2) well and the proven front runner will ensure this is a stamina test in conditions. The six-year-old has form figures of 12212 since joining Kevin Philippart De Foy with both of his victories coming on either soft or heavy ground over 1m6f and 2 miles.
Maxident beat Moon Over Miami by 2 ¾ lengths at Goodwood in August over 2 miles on soft ground and although that rival reversed that form over 2m2f on heavy ground at Pontefract, the runner-up was meeting off 4lb better terms. This drop back in trip will be no concern and he looks the one to beat in these conditions.
6:45 KemptonSee All Odds
TIP 3: PURE MINT - 1pt Win
Best odds of 5/4 at William Hill while publishing.
The Simon Crisford trained PURE MINT (best priced at 5/4) bounced back to form on his handicap debut last time at Nottingham and looks the one to beat off only a 3lb higher mark. The Minzaal colt was an impressive 4 ½ length winner of a Ripon novice on his debut and he can be excused his next run at Ascot when he got upset in the stalls, raced too keenly as a result and was looked after by James Doyle thereafter.
Pure Mint finished 2nd beaten only ½ length last time at Nottingham with the pair pulling 2 ¾ lengths clear of the 3rd and is deserving of a 2lb rise as a result. Oisin Murphy takes over on board and he should get back to winning ways.
