Jake Price's Free Racing Tips for Sunday

Tip 1: KIELY’S PLACE - 1pt Win

Best odds of 6/1 at Betfred while publishing.

We saw at Cheltenham that the current crop of Intermediate trip Novice Hurdlers does not look a vintage one, and with most of these coming from alternative sources, this is certainly an open Grade 2 contest. The one who I was extremely taken by on debut was point-to-point recruit KIELY’S PLACE however, and he surely is open to any amount of improvement now tackling a race like this.

After winning his point at Bandon last March in game fashion he ended up joining Willie Mullins as a private purchase, and based on his owner/rider at Clonmel, he looked to be one of Patrick Mullins’ projects. That arrangement was very quickly flipped on its head at Clonmel at the end of February though, where he ran in a 2m3½f Maiden Hurdle against the much more expensive recruit Arcadian Emperor – who has form that ties in with the smart Shuttle Diplomacy.

KIEYLY’S PLACE travelled all over his rivals in the lead and going down to the last he had already opened up a unassailable advantage, but despite an awkward leap he went on to record an extremely easy 9.5 length success over his better fancied stablemate. It wasn’t just me who was impressed however, as top owner Tony Bloom decided to purchase him, and as such he will now run in the Brighton colours donned by the likes of Energumene.

With Paul Townend riding He’s On Fire we are getting quite a nice price about this lad, and Patrick Mullins retaining the ride may well have been part of any sales agreement regardless. This looks a very good opportunity for him to show he is a proper Graded Novice Hurdler.

Tip 2: OLDSCHOOL OUTLAW - 1.5pts Win

Best odds of 15/8 at William Hill while publishing. 

It has to be said that OLDSCHOOL OUTLAW got extremely unlucky with the quick ground in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but in spite of conditions not being in her favour, she still ran a cracker in second place. This Fairyhouse Grade 1 ran over a trip three furlongs longer should help her improve massively however, and whilst the ground isn’t going to be quite as soft as she would ideally want, it will crucially still be slower than Prestbury Park.

The main danger might come in the form of Zanoosh, who has been extremely progressive this season. My only concern with her is that she probably wants three-miles though, and our selection surely has too much pace for her to deal with.

Tip 3: KAPPA JY PYKE - 1pt Win

Best odds of 3/1 at BetVictor while publishing.

There was a bit of back and forth as to whether KAPPA JY PYKE was going to take his chance in the Arkle Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but I love that unlike certain connections, they have decided to go for the race that the horse has the best chance of winning by waiting for this Grade 1 at Fairyhouse ran over his optimum trip of 2m4f.

It is no secret that Willie Mullins has a Trainers Championship to defend back in Ireland this year, and this lad looks to have very strong claims of getting some crucial prize money on the board. On Chase debut he lowered the colours of stablemate Salvator Mundi (150), but it was his run in the Grade 3 at Punchestown in January which marked him down as a top performer to my eye.

Once again he was sent off a much bigger price than a stablemate with Predators Gold going off the 4/6f, but having been kept out of the pace battle under Danny Mullins, KAPPA JY PYKE showed a tremendous turn of pace to coast on by Jacob’s Ladder (151). That 3.5 length victory over a horse who has won twice since clearly shows he has plenty of ability, and there is no doubt that he has improved for chasing this season having been a bit underwhelming in Novice Hurdles.