Best Of Bets

Author: Ashley Symonds

  • Free Haydock Park & Musselburgh Saturday Tips | Batt away

    Free Haydock Park & Musselburgh Saturday Tips | Batt away

    It’s a quiet Saturday for racing, but there’s action from Haydock Park and Musselburgh on ITV Racing to keep an eye on.

    I was looking forward to seeing what the ground would be like at Fairyhouse today, but the first day of the Irish Grand National meeting has been called off. Hopefully, they can get the next two days on.

    Anyway, let’s dive in.

    Free Haydock Park & Musselburgh Saturday Tips

    2:05 Haydock – Got Grey @ 10/3 with William Hill – 1pt Win

    Dan Skelton may have worked his magic with Got Grey to get him down to a nice mark of 110 for this Two Mile Series Final Handicap Hurdle.

    The six-year-old grey reached a peak rating of 116 at the beginning of this season, but three runs since the start of February has sorted his handicap rating out nicely.

    Two efforts came on soft ground and one came at the start of March over 2m5f when priced at 33/1. All three of these runs saw him run without his usual tongue tie.

    The tongue tie is back on today, and two miles on good ground should really suit him.

    As for his form, he ran in a 2m4f Aintree handicap hurdle in October over 2m4f and he arguably didn’t truly see out the trip. Kamsinas, the winner, is a very solid mid-130 horse for Fergal O’Brien and the second, Long Draw, has won two Class 2 handicaps since.

    Today looks like his gold cup; hopefully, this is the case.

    3:00 Musselburgh – Jer Batt @ 4/1 with Betfred – 1pt Win

    The Scottish Sprint Cup looks like a nice race to have a play in, and Jer Batt is the one I’m siding with.

    The David & Nicola Barron-trained five-year-old shared a place on my shortlist alongside Jm Jungle, but the latter has saved his winning for the second-half of the season over the last two years, and he is on a career-high mark of 93.

    So, Jer Batt is the one, even if he is also on a career-high mark.

    Even with this knowledge, he won a Haydock handicap off 87 last year when running to an RPR of 100 before finishing second in two further handicaps off 92 and 91.

    The former came when behind Shagraan and ahead of American Affair, with whom he gets a 2lb swing, and the latter came when second to Cover Up in October, with whom he gets a 4lb swing.

    Jer Batt won on his sole start over this course and distance in April 2023, and he also won on his seasonal reappearance in 2023, so he is a horse that can go well fresh.

    3:15 Haydock – Le Milos @ 6/1 with William Hill (3 places) – 1pt EW

    There’s a fair chance that Le Milos could be too good in the Middle Distance Veterans’ Handicap Chase, and his handicap mark of 141 doesn’t look too bad.

    He won this qualifier at Warwick in February when well-backed into favourtism, and he’s just 2lbs higher today, which is kind.

    The 10-year-old won on soft ground that day, but he won his 2022 Coral Gold Cup on good ground, so the conditions shouldn’t be an issue for him, and one can assume this £100,000 final has been the plan for a while.

    I don’t think this race is a vintage renewal, and there’s just 6lbs separating the top four in the handicap, so I’m hoping Le Milos’ class can see him win this big pot for Dan Skelton.

  • All-Weather Championships Finals Day Tips 2025 | That’s great Banter

    All-Weather Championships Finals Day Tips 2025 | That’s great Banter

    It’s not just Friday, it’s Good Friday, and the horse racing action continues in the UK, so today’s column includes All-Weather Championships Finals Day Tips to consider.

    The column landed another winner for the week thanks to Shakeyatailfeather in the penultimate contest at Cheltenham, so let’s hope the form continues with these two selections at Newcastle.

    Roll on.

    All-Weather Championships Finals Day Tips

    1:50 Newcastle – Good Banter @ 10/1 with William Hill (4 places) – 1pt EW

    There’s reason to believe that Good Banter will come on nicely for his first two runs in handicaps this year.

    His first effort came at Lingfield in February where he finished sixth, but he raced very wide throughout and stayed on in the final few strides.

    He was sent off the 11/4 favourite that day, and he even went off as the 11/8 favourite on his next start at Southwell over seven furlongs.

    The three-year-old colt by Calyx ran a fine race, but he didn’t seem to stay the seven-furlong test, and Rossa Ryan wasn’t overly concerned when he knew the race was gone.

    He’s been kindly dropped two pounds for those two runs, and one can imagine this has been a plan for a while considering he won two six-furlong novice events at Wolverhampton last season.

    The latter of these efforts saw him beat The Quiet Gent and Don Pacifico, both of whom won on their next starts, when giving seven pounds away.

    He’s had a nice 34-day period to come on for those first two runs of the season fitness-wise, so he’s the play here.

    3:00 Newcastle – Popmaster @ 9/1 with Betfred (4 places) – 1pt EW

    Popmaster has run some very solid races for a long time, and yet, he has dropped to a mark of 99, 11 months on from his peak rating of 109.

    His last handicap win was longer ago than expected – July 2023 with an official rating of 91, to be specific – but it’s really hard to ignore his other performances without getting his head in front.

    He won a Listed race at Newbury in September 2023, he was beaten a nose in the 2023 Howden Challenge Cup off 100, and he’s placed in two all-weather handicaps off 100 and 103 in recent months.

    One of those all-weather runs occurred at Kempton over a mile when Roi De France, the current favourite for this race, beat him by a short head. There is now a nice 13lb swing in the weights between the two.

    Speaking of weight swings, Popmaster gets a 13lb swing with Storm Star, the race’s second favourite, for just a one-and-a-half-length defeat over this course and distance in January.

    Ed Walker’s seven-year-old stayed on through the line that day, even though he lacked a clear route through with two furlongs to go.

    He looks like a well-treated horse who gets his best chance to beat the likes of Roi De France and Storm Star. Furthermore, Ed Walker and Paul Mulrennan have a 29% strike rate together (from 29 runners).

    He’s worthy of some cash in this valuable contest.

  • Cheltenham April Meeting Day 2 Tips | Action continues

    Cheltenham April Meeting Day 2 Tips | Action continues

    The action-packed week in UK horse racing continues on Thursday with my Cheltenham April Meeting Day 2 tips.

    East India Express landed a nice winner for the column yesterday, and both My Bobby Dazzler and Gallant ran creditable efforts at bigger prices.

    With Prestbury Park and the Rowley Mile on our screens today, let’s roll on.

    Cheltenham April Meeting Day 2 Tips

    2:10 Cheltenham – Coco Mademoiselle @ 5/2 with Betfred – 1pt Win

    I backed Coco Mademoiselle in the qualifying race for this contest back at the Cheltenham December meeting, and I walked away from her performance feeling slightly disappointed.

    She raced behind the bridle over 2m4f, but she stayed on for pressure and was only beaten by seven-and-a-quarter lengths.

    I didn’t think I’d rush to back her again after that race, but she still seems feasibly handicapped off 123, and her run at Sandown over 2m4f in early March showed promise.

    The step up to three miles can promote improvement having nearly won on chase debut over 2m7f, and she should handle the nicer ground.

    4:10 Newmarket – Isle Of Lismore @ 14/1 with Betfred (3 places) – 1pt EW

    Robert Cowell runs two in the 5f handicap at Newmarket today, and while he may have the favourite, his other runner, Isle Of Lismore, looks to have a great chance.

    His last winning mark came off 85 in May 2024, and he also placed off 89 over this course and distance one run later.

    He’s also won with an official rating of 80 and 79 before, both of which were on the Newmarket July Course.

    So, with a rating of 79 now, he looks well-treated based on his best form, and he finished a good third on his seasonal reappearance at Lingfield last year.

    He’s placed three times over this course and distance off higher ratings, and Cowell’s yard is running at a 29% strike rate currently.

    For these reasons, he is a bet at Newmarket.

    4:30 Cheltenham – Shakeyatailfeather @ 7/2 with Betfred – 1pt Win

    There are a few firsts for Shakeyatailfeather today. It’s her first time back at two miles since May 2024, and it’s her first time back with Harry Skelton since the pair won a Newton Abbot maiden hurdle in September.

    She’s a strong-travelling mare who loves good ground, so two miles around the new course of Cheltenham could really play to her strengths, even if she has been racing at three miles over fences.

    Still, she jumps her fences nicely and her form over hurdles suggests she can go well with an official rating of 106.

    She was only just beaten by Wyenot, now rated 138, in a Kempton novice hurdle in March 2024, and she was even fourth at 200/1 in a Taunton maiden hurdle to Joyeuse, Tutti Quanti, and Into The Park.

    Even if she has to show her capability over two miles in this sphere, she has the credentials to do so, so she gets the vote.

  • Newmarket Craven Day & Cheltenham Tips | Busy day

    Newmarket Craven Day & Cheltenham Tips | Busy day

    The great week of action continues on Wednesday afternoon, and below are my Newmarket Craven Day & Cheltenham Tips to consider.

    Aramram ran into one in the opening handicap at Newmarket yesterday, which was slightly annoying, but he still placed to return the stake money.

    The cards and Cheltenham and Newmarket are competitive, but intriguing, today, so let’s hope we find some winners.

    Newmarket Craven Day & Cheltenham Tips

    1:50 Newmarket – Gallant @ 6/1 with William Hill (3 places) – 1pt EW

    Gallant looked quite impressive when winning at Kempton in October on the all-weather, and with a run under his belt this year, he has the ability to improve from his current handicap mark.

    His sole career success came at the back end of 2024, and while it was only a 6f novice, he looked really good.

    The form of the race has already worked out, as well. West Acre (2nd) has won three races since including a Group 2 and 3 in Meydan, So Darn Hot (3rd) has won three races since including a Class 2 Lingfield handicap off 87, and Packetofbiscuits (4th) won a Wolverhampton handicap this month.

    As for the performance on this day, he wasn’t keen, he travelled nicely, and he quickened away like a smart horse to run through the line. There was a lot to like.

    The three-year-old by Hello Youmzain comes from a nice family as he is a half-brother to the Listed winner Stone Roses and the Listed winner Straight Right.

    He was given a cautious ride on his seasonal reappearance at Lingfield 23 days ago, and with the hope that’s brought him on fitness-wise, he could continue to improve off a mark of 85.

    2:05 Cheltenham – East India Express @ 5/2 with William Hill – 1pt Win

    East India Express was an eye-catcher of mine from the Cheltenham Festival, and with an unchanged mark, I’m happy to play him again.

    He ran in the Martin Pipe on his latest start, and while he ran well for a long way, I do think Freddie Gordon went a touch too hard in the heat of the moment.

    That ultimately cost him in the final stages of the race, but he was the first past the post of all the horses that sat prominently that day. Positions one to six were filled with horses who either sat in midfield or towards the rear.

    Speaking of the Martin Pipe, Wodhooh has nicely franked the form at Aintree, and this is likely to be a slightly cooler race with fewer runners and no Festival atmosphere to deal with. This should help settle both horse and jockey.

    Gordon gets to claim 3lbs off his back today, which he couldn’t in the Martin Pipe, and the six-year-old gets his preferred good ground.

    Furthermore, the form of his Ascot success over Double Powerful looks quite smart now considering the second has improved 13lbs subsequently.

    He’s still unexposed in handicaps on this ground, and with age on his side, he can take this.

    3:35 Newmarket – Opera Ballo @ 10/3 with William Hill – 1pt Win

    I like the fitness edge that Opera Ballo has on his rivals in the Group 3 Craven Stakes, and while he has to prove it at this level, he looks capable of doing so.

    I don’t want to compare him to Notable Speech because of the route he’s taken this year, but he looks like a horse with plenty of ability based on his first two starts.

    He beat Hott Shott, who was fifth behind Wimbledon Hawkeye in the Group 3 Solario Stakes, on his latest start, with Saddadd (second in a Class 2 novice to Gethin subsequently) in third and Quai De Bethune (third to Cosmic Year on debut) in fourth.

    That form offers hope, and so does his pedigree regarding good to soft ground.

    His dam, Dubai Opera, is a half-sister to the Group 3 winner Lockwood who won on soft and placed in a Group 2 on good to soft, and her other sibling, Earnshaw, placed in a Group 1 on very soft.

    Those two family relations mentioned are by Invincible Spirit and Medaglia d’Oro as well, two fast ground-oriented sires. Ghaiyyath, Opera Ballo’s sire, has only had horses on the track since 2024, but he has four winners on good to soft or worse from 13 runners.

    William Buick choosing Aomori City is, to my eye, concerning, but I fear the ground might be too soft for Charlie Appleby’s other runner, so Opera Ballo is the one.

    3:50 Cheltenham – Guard The Moon @ 15/2 with Betfred (3 places) – 1pt EW

    There’s a few hoping Long Draw does the business in the fifth race at Prestbury Park, but if he has a chance, so does Guard The Moon at a bigger price.

    He beat Olly Murphy’s progressive six-year-old at Warwick over 2m5f in October when giving 2lbs away; this time around, he gets 2lbs from Long Draw.

    Guard The Moon progressed nicely through the ranks in the first half of the season, notably when finishing second over three miles at Aintree on good ground and second over 2m4f to Impose Toi at Newbury. Impose Toi has improved 11lbs since, which is nice.

    Back in Class 3 company should help, and he is a horse who loves nicer ground.

    3:50 Cheltenham – My Bobby Dazzler @ 12/1 with William Hill (3 places) – 0.5pt EW

    Although Guard The Moon is the main fancy, I think My Bobby Dazzler is a big price for Mel Rowley.

    He’s back down to a mark of 119, which is the same rating he had when he was a close second on Cheltenham Trials Day 2024 to Butch. He also won a novices’ handicap chase off 120 in June 2023.

    He also split Zain Nights and Harbour Lake at Haydock in May 2024 on a good ground 3m handicap hurdle, though he gets a 9lb and 10lb swing in the weights with both today.

    His record around Cheltenham is reasonable (second, fourth, fourth), though he certainly likes going left-handed on nice ground.

    With a wind surgery in the bag, he could be ready for a career-best effort.

  • Newmarket Craven Meeting Day 1 Tips | When the Dusk settles

    Newmarket Craven Meeting Day 1 Tips | When the Dusk settles

    This week is belting for UK horse racing, and we’re kicking off proceedings with my Newmarket Craven Meeting Day 1 tips.

    With Newmarket on Tuesday, Cheltenham and the Rowley Mile on Wednesday, more Prestbury Park action on Thursday, and some brilliant all-weather action to finish the week, the next few days are set to be pretty fun. Hopefully, anyway.

    Let’s dive in.

    Newmarket Craven Meeting Day 1 Tips

    1:50 Newmarket – Aramram @ 6/1 with William Hill (4 places) – 1pt EW

    The opening handicap is competitive, but Aramram does look slightly overpriced on the best of his form.

    He’s a nice, progressive colt by Blue Point who has started the year well with two seconds at Kempton and Southwell respectively.

    His first run at Kempton saw him nearly catch a runaway winner, and the second race at Southwell saw him get collared on the line by the useful Ferrous.

    A well-handicapped Diligent Harry finished third that day with the likes of Purosangue, Strike Red, Wiltshire, and Korker behind. It was a good Class 2 handicap at Southwell.

    Joe Leavy returns to the saddle to claim a valuable 3lbs off his back, and he’s ground versatile. He won at Doncaster on soft in September, though he also finished second in the Ayr Silver Cup on good to firm later that month.

    His run in the Ayr Silver Cup was a huge performance. Why? Well, Alfa Kellenic switched to the correct side of the track to win, though Aramram stayed on the near side.

    This progressive four-year-old gets the vote here.

    3:35 Newmarket – Arabian Dusk @ 10/3 with William Hill – 1pt Win

    All the form and a small bit of pedigree knowledge suggests that Arabian Dusk could be the one in the Group 3 Nell Dwyn Stakes.

    It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realise that Verse Of Love and Nardra could be anything with their one win each, but I like the experience that Simon & Ed Crisford’s three-year-old has under the belt.

    She was third in the Listed Empress Fillies Stakes to Celandine (subsequent Group 2 winner) and Tales Of The Heart before winning the Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes on the July Course.

    On her final start of the season in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes, she finished third to Lake Victoria (Breeders’ Cup winner subsequently) and Daylight (Group 2 runner-up subsequently).

    She looked quite useful in the Cheveley Park as she travelled with plenty of zest, yet she just didn’t quite have the turn of foot to keep her two rivals at bay.

    She’s out of a 1m2f winner who also was successful on good to soft, and two of her best siblings raced nicely on softer ground. If the rain has gotten into the ground, which it should have, this will stand her in good stead.

  • Scottish Grand National Day Tips 2025 | Sailing down the market

    Scottish Grand National Day Tips 2025 | Sailing down the market

    From one National to another as the Scottish Grand National headlines the action on our TV screens this weekend.

    It truly is one of those big weekends if you’re a fan of sport. Ayr and Newbury host good cards, Rory McIlroy is throwing the Masters away at Augusta, and the Premier League has some nice little contests.

    Anyway, let’s roll onto the weekend picks.

    Scottish Grand National Day Selections

    1:43 Ayr – Masaccio @ 10/3 with William Hill – 1pt Win

    Two bets from Ayr today were eye-catchers at Cheltenham, and the first is Masaccio after his run in the Plate Handicap Chase.

    He looked outpaced for a while during the Plate, but he showed a brilliant attitude to continue going under Tom Cannon, and his third-place effort can be upgraded as a result.

    Connections tried three miles with him for the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, but it’s harsh to write him off at this trip based on just one run. Alan King has always mentioned trying three miles with him, in fairness.

    So, if you’re willing to forgive him for his run in the Kauto Star three starts ago, he looks like the classy edge into this race based on his form with The Jukebox Man earlier in the season and Jingko Blue over hurdles (when giving 6lbs away).

    Masaccio, Pic Roc, Eyed, Ideal Des Bordes, and Theformismighty look like the horses who will handle the nicer ground the best, and the McNeill Family & Niall Farrell-owned eight-year-old is my preference.

    2:15 Ayr – Ethical Diamond @ 10/3 with William Hill – 1pt Win

    Ethical Diamond clocked some good numbers when fourth in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, and with just an extra pound to carry, he can win the Scottish Champion Hurdle.

    His run from the second-last to the line was as quick as what the Triumph Hurdle leaders did, and he was carrying 3lbs more than the likes of Poniros, Lulamba, East India Dock, and Lady Vega Allen.

    He’s still unexposed in handicap hurdles as one of his runs occurred in the County Hurdle, and the other was his seasonal reappearance at Leopardstown in December.

    He looks like the type of horse to improve into a Graded hurdler in time, and he’s shown he can run well on nice ground at both the Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot.

    The Scottish Champion Hurdle is a competitive race, but he’s one I’m keen to keep on side.

    2.55 Ayr – Fox’s Fancy @ 13/2 with William Hill (4 places) – 1pt EW

    When looking at the 3m mares’ handicap hurdle, Ruby Island is well-fancied for Nicky Richards, but if she is a 5/1 shot in the market, Fox’s Fancy has to be considered at a bigger price.

    Just a neck separated the pair at Ayr in early March, but the winner was race-fit and the second, Fox’s Fancy, was having her first run since October 2024.

    She gets to try three miles for the second time, the first came at Wetherby in October when she ran a creditable race in fourth. The winner, Billy Boi Blue, won a Class 3 handicap at Ayr yesterday.

    The Lucinda Russell-trained seven-year-old has a touch of back class in the book, as she finished a good fifth in a good ground Kelso bumper two years ago to Kamsinas.

    She also finished second to Galunggung in a Hexham novice hurdler who has improved to a mark of 128 over fences.

    She should appreciate nicer ground, and this three-mile test leaves her unexposed.

    3:12 Newbury – Cogitate @ 10/1 with William Hill (4 places) – 0.5pt EW

    Me and Cogitate have a love-hate relationship, and by that, I mean that I’ve backed him three times without return.

    Still, he lines up in the Spring Cup and there’s reason to suggest he can put in a career-best effort.

    His only win came on debut in July 2023 over seven furlongs at this course where he beat Boiling Point (now rated 107). He also had King’s Gambit (rated 114) behind him as well.

    The next time he raced ‘fresh’, he chased home Night Raider (rated 111) at Southwell over seven furlongs, so he does seem to go well off a bit of a break.

    Even his last run at Kempton showed promise when finishing fourth to the subsequent Listed-placed Roi De France and Popmaster.

    With a few months of rest and some nice form in the book, he has the profile of one who can land the spoils.

    3:35 Ayr – Sail Away @ 16/1 with William Hill (6 places) – 1pt EW

    When I previewed the Scottish Grand National for the Only Fools Love Horses YouTube channel on Tuesday, Sail Away was the wrong price at 50/1, so I’m not totally surprised to see him shorten.

    Did I think he’d touch 12/1 in places? Not really.

    In fairness, he was entered for Ayr on Friday at an ante-post stage, so once he was taken out of that race, he was susceptible to shortening at the big prices.

    He appeals for a number of reasons, one of which being his record at the course on better ground.

    He dotted up at this meeting two years ago in the novices’ champion handicap chase off 136 when making all under Bridget Andrews, and he arrives here off a four-pound lower mark having finished a close second at Warwick at the end of last month.

    That win at Ayr in April 2023 saw him beat Forward Plan (improved 13lbs since), and it’s hard to ignore his fourth of four (beaten 10 lengths) in the 2024 Grade 1 Ascot Chase over 2m5f to Pic d’Orhy, Ahoy Senor, and L’Homme Presse.

    There are other bits of form, like his run at Newbury in November 2024 behind Masaccio before falling, that give him a good chance here.

    He likes good ground, he gallops, he jumps, and he’s one from one at the course. He can play his part for Dan and Harry Skelton.

  • Aintree Grand National 2025 Day 3 Tips | The big one

    Aintree Grand National 2025 Day 3 Tips | The big one

    It’s the big one, the Aintree Grand National 2025 Day 3 Tips article with three horses to follow for the Grand National itself.

    The Grand National holds so much history for many reasons, and although the race may have changed in its nature, it’s still a special spectacle to watch.

    Like Cheltenham, there will probably be a few punters wishing they’d kept their hands in their pockets this week, but we keep kicking. Celtic Dino placed for the column in the finale on Friday, Handstands was given no chance in the opener, and the two big-priced fancies in the 2m4f handicap hurdle ran creditable races.

    Still, we move.

    Aintree Grand National 2025 Day 3 Tips

    1:20 Aintree – William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle – Bill Joyce @ 9/1 with William Hill (5 places) (1pt EW) & Whatcouldhavebeen @ 50/1 with William Hill (5 places) (0.5pt EW)

    I’ve wanted to see Bill Joyce over three miles for a long time, so stepping up in distance here on his handicap debut is very interesting.

    He impressed me greatly when winning the Grade 2 Winter Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown in December, and this is when I first thought he could be an Albert Bartlett type.

    He further fueled these suspicions when finishing third in the Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle behind The New Lion at Christmas.

    The improving six-year-old sat prominently, jumped well at speed, and handled the good to soft conditions well, and he stayed on through the line even when the subsequent Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Hurdle winner passed him.

    Wenigo, the second, ran a fine race in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle to further frank the form, and Regent’s Stoll finishing fourth sets a fine standard.

    The ground is a small question mark, but his way of going about things suggests he can handle a fast-paced race, and the conditions at Newbury for the Challow were pretty decent, so I have hope he will be okay.

    While he didn’t turn into an Albert Bartlett horse, he gets to run here in handicap company off 136, and the O’Neill’s did something similar with Johnnywho in last year’s renewal of this contest.

    However, he’s not my only play as I’m taking a chance that Whatcouldhavebeen could be well-handicapped on this big stage.

    She’s rated 137 and Aidan Kelly takes off 3lbs, and considering she ran in the Grade 1 Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown last season, that’s not a bad mark.

    That race included Teahupoo, Home By The Lee, Buddy One, Franciscan Rock, and Asterion Forlonge, which is a good piece of form.

    She also won a 2m6f handicap hurdle in April 2024 when beating O’Moore Park, now rated 140 over fences, when the cheekpieces were applied for the very first time off a mark of 128.

    She has questions to ask on the ground, but she has the ability to win this.

    3:05 Aintree – Grade 1 Ivy Liverpool Hurdle – Home By The Lee @ 13/2 with William Hill (1pt Win) & Buddy One @ 20/1 with Betfred (4 places) (1pt EW)

    The Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle is open to having a play in it, and I’m doing so with two darts on Home By The Lee and Buddy One.

    Starting with the former, his formlines alongside Bob Olinger now look quite smart after the Grade 1 Stayers’ Hurdle.

    He beat him at Navan on his first start of the season in the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle before beating him by further in the Grade 1 Savills Hurdle.

    He was hampered and taken out of the race in the Stayers’ on his first start for 75 days, so not only is he fresher than a few other Stayers’ Hurdle horses, but he should also come on for the spin at Cheltenham.

    He has won on good ground before and his wins this season have come on yielding.

    As for Buddy One, this is slightly sentimental, but there is a case to be made at a big price.

    He won his chasing debut at Galway on good ground and also placed in a Grade 3 novice hurdle on the same ground, so tomorrow’s surface should cause no issues.

    He ran a big race in the Stayers’ Hurdle last month considering he was slightly hampered by Crambo’s fall, and he found himself in a tight pocket coming down the hill.

    I think he could have won last year’s Liverpool Hurdle if Jack Gilligan hadn’t kicked for home so early. While he has to reverse that form with Strong Leader, it’s not an impossible task.

    These two look like solid plays.

    4:00 Aintree – Randox Grand National Handicap Chase – Iroko @ 8/1 with Betfred, Hyland @ 18/1 with Betfred & Grangeclare West @ 28/1 with Betfred (7 places) – 0.5pt EW for all three

    It’s the Grand National. 34 runners over 4m2f, so naturally, it’s hard to be overly confident on one.

    The three I want to play start with Iroko who has been targeted at this race all season, and his performances have suggested this.

    He began this season on a mark of 152, and that’s the rating he gets to run off at Aintree which is a positive.

    His form with Grey Dawning got a boost in the Aintree Bowl and the form of last year’s Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase looks really good. The ground should be safe enough for him, so he is on the squad.

    Hyland is one who will prefer these better conditions, and you can’t argue with his form alongside The Jukebox Man.

    Even his victory over Transmission at Cheltenham in October looks good, and Hyland is a very slick jumper. He’ll sit prominently and ping them for fun.

    Finally, Grangeclare West has that very interesting form line with Galopin Des Champs, Fact To File, and Inothewayurthinkin from the Irish Gold Cup.

    He’s won on yielding ground at Punchestown in April 2023, and his successes over Heart Wood and Corbetts Cross in the early parts of his career are notable. He’s a big price, and Brian Hayes gets on well with him.

    5:00 Aintree – Grade 1 Rosconn Group Maghull Novices’ Chase – Special Cadeau @ 20/1 with Betfred – 1pt EW

    The Grade 1 Maghull Novices’ Chase brings the Arkle form under the spotlight, but I’m going away from it with Special Cadeau who is wildly interesting.

    Hear me out. He didn’t win over hurdles or in bumpers for Willie Mullins or Henry de Bromhead, but he still showed some good form.

    He finished a decent eighth at the 2023 Punchestown Festival to Ballyburn, Dancing City, Slade Steel, Chosen Witness, and Apple’s Of Bresil. He also finished third in a Leopardstown bumper to Fascile Mode and, more notably, Lecky Watson.

    His best hurdles form is his second at Naas in April 2024 to Gorgeous Tom who went on to finish an eye-catching fourth in the Grade 1 Drinmore Novices’ Chase behind Croke Park, Firefox, and Heart Wood, the more notably name of the three.

    Although he was sent off at odds of 66/1 at Thurles in February on his chasing debut, he won like a horse priced at much shorter odds. He switched off nicely in the middle of the field, made an eye-catching move around the bend, and kicked clear after a mistake at the last.

    That came on good ground against some nice types like Westport Cove (Only By Night form), What’s Up Darling, and Mirazur West (Only By Night and Fun Fun Fun form).

    I find it interesting that Envirogreen Housing Services Ltd, the owners of Gorgeous Tom, took the horse when Henry de Bromhead bought him for £25,000 at the sales. Did his run behind Gorgeous Tom at Naas give them a nudge to front up the money?

    Anyway, after a lengthy case made, it will be difficult for him to win a Grade 1 on his second chase start, but he could just be the one to side with at a price in the conditions.

  • Aintree Grand National 2025 Day 2 Tips | Doing Handstands

    Aintree Grand National 2025 Day 2 Tips | Doing Handstands

    We’re getting closer to the world’s most famous steeplechase, but before then, we have some Aintree Grand National 2025 Day 2 tips to share.

    Yesterday didn’t go well. Jango Baie was frustrating, but Ahoy Senor and Petit Tonnerre are off the backing list, and everything just happened a bit too quickly for Willitgoahead.

    My hands are firmly in the air; we’re not in great form currently. We can only hope for change.

    Aintree Grand National 2025 Day 2 Tips

    Grade 1 Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Chase (1:45, Friday) – Handstands @ 9/4 with William Hill – 1pt Win

    In the Mildmay, Handstands ticks plenty of boxes and is fairly priced at 9/4.

    He stays the trip, he should go on the surface having won his first run over hurdles on good ground, and he has some nice pieces of form in the book.

    Although Jango Baie finished third in the Manifesto, he still ran a cracker on the opening day of the Aintree Grand National Festival meeting and his win in the Arkle is a good form boost.

    He has also beaten Resplendent Grey and Lord Of Thunder over fences so far this season, both of whom have gone on to frank the form.

    The six-year-old also missed Cheltenham, which means he has the fresh angle against Caldwell Potter and Dancing City, so he gets the vote.  

    William Hill Handicap Hurdle (2:20, Friday) – Helnwein @ 12/1 with William Hill (5 places) – 1pt EW

    Helnwein is returning from a stint over fences in the second race, and there’s plenty of form to suggest he can continue to improve off 127.

    He won the Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle at Sandown in April on good ground, beating Be Aware, Steel Ally, Secret Squirrel, Act Of Authority, and Fiercely Proud.

    Those horses have improved 13lbs, 13lbs, 7lbs, 10lbs, and 7lbs respectively, though Helnwein is running off just a 6lb higher mark.

    He tried fences this season, and while he wasn’t bad, connections have opted to come back over the small obstacles.

    Despite this yet, his maiden outing over fences at Warwick when second to Telepathique looks like a nice piece of form as she has improved 32lbs since to a mark of 148, and Helnwein had to give 10lbs away that day.

    On his next start, he ran a fine race behind Vincenzo and The Famous Five, both of whom have also improved 12lbs and 5lbs, respectively.

    He’s a horse who has form on nicer ground, and this will be his second start after a wind-op.

    William Hill Handicap Hurdle (2:20, Friday) – Hansard @ 25/1 with William Hill (5 places) – 0.5pt EW

    It’s double trouble in the 2m4f handicap hurdle for the Noel Fehily Syndicate horses as Hansard could be interesting at a nice price.

    He’s dropped down to a mark of 141 and Freddie Mitchell claims 5lbs in the saddle, which effectively puts him on a 1lb higher mark than the official rating he was on when winning the Gerry Feilden last season.

    He beat Bad (improved 20lbs since), Brentford Hope (improved 8lbs since), and Our Champ (improved 7lbs since), so the form of the race is nice.

    His subsequent form with Luccia, Impose Toi, and Altobelli from the Betfair Exchange Trophy in December 2023 also looks very good, and he ran a fine race behind Golden Ace in the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle in February.

    This new trip is interesting, and the cheekpieces that were put on for the first time in the County Hurdle are retained. The slightly slower nature of this 2m4f contest could help him, and he will appreciate this nicer ground.

    Grade 1 Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (4:40, Friday) – Califet En Vol @ 4/1 with William Hill – 1pt Win

    “We’ve kept Califet En Vol for this,” Nicky Henderson told the Racing Post, and I’m hopeful that he can reward his connections with a win in the Sefton.

    If you’re one for trends, he has the correct profile. He’s the right age, he’s won at least twice over hurdles, he missed the Cheltenham Festival, and he’s trained by Nicky Henderson.

    His form with The New Lion from Newbury looks very good, and he smashed up As Legends Have It, a nifty horse for Ben Pauling, on his hurdles debut at Kempton.

    He needed every yard of the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon in February, so this step-up in trip should suit him, and he’ll relish the nicer ground.

    He looks like a solid contender in the Sefton.

    Hallgarten And Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle (5:15, Friday) – Celtic Dino @ 7/1 with Betfred (5 places) – 1pt EW

    It’s a fairly obvious case, but Celtic Dino should run well in the finale.

    He’s making his handicap debut off 132, and with Dylan Johnston’s handy 3lb claim, he looks like a well-handicapped horse who is getting run on good ground again.

    He beat the subsequent 130-rated Ma Shantou on hurdles debut before beating Wade Out (rated 128) and Joyeuse (rated 142) at Ascot on good ground in February. He gave 7lbs away to Joyeuse that day, though Nicky Henderson’s mare was making her first start of the season.

    The six-year-old by Doctor Dino ran a fine race in the Grade 1 Formby Novices’ Hurdle on soft ground behind Miami Magic and Potters Charm, though his effort at Kempton in the Grade 2 Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle was slightly below par.

    Still, he arrives here on a workable mark on his first handicap start, and the better conditions at Aintree should really suit. He looks to be improving and can land a touch here for Sam Thomas.

  • Aintree Grand National 2025 Day 1 Tips | Keep kicking, Jango

    Aintree Grand National 2025 Day 1 Tips | Keep kicking, Jango

    The Nash. The people’s race. The world’s most famous steeplechase. Jump racing’s big week in Merseyside is here, and here are my Aintree Grand National 2025 Day 1 Tips.

    With good ground scheduled and a few interesting handicaps under the microscope, I’m looking forward to this week’s action.

    The column has been out of form since Cheltenham, but I thought there was an element of luck against us on Saturday. Yes, I’m looking at you, Iberian.

    He would have won if he had kept straight, but that’s racing. We move, and we move onto Aintree. Let’s roll.

    Aintree Grand National 2025 Day 1 Tips

    Grade 1 EBC Group Manifesto Novices’ Chase (1:45, Thursday) – Jango Baie @ 5/2 with William Hill – 2pt Win

    It comes as no surprise that Jango Baie is my pick in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase.

    Without trying to pat myself on the back too heavily, he was my horse to follow this season, though his season path went a different way from what I was expecting.

    I thought he would be a Grade 1 winner this season, but I had him as a Brown Advisory horse rather than an Arkle type at the start of this campaign.

    Still, he was good in the Arkle, even if he was taken off his feet in the early stages. His jumping was put under pressure at that speed, which I didn’t expect, so I envisage a better round of jumping with this return to 2m4f.

    He’s likely to enjoy the ground more than a few of his market rivals, notably Impaire Et Passe. He won the Grade 2 Select Hurdle on good, but some of his better performances have arguably come on softer ground.

    He’s a pretty honest horse who has good form ahead of Caldwell Potter, Majborough, and Springwell Bay, and he finished behind Handstands on undesirable ground in the Scilly Isles, which doesn’t look too bad.

    He’s the one, as long as Cheltenham hasn’t left its mark.

    Grade 1 Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase (2:55, Thursday) – Ahoy Senor @ 13/2 with William Hill (3 places) – 1pt EW

    Although he is becoming the ‘wise guys’ horse in the Bowl, Ahoy Senor is my each-way selection.

    His Aintree record is well documented: two wins, two seconds, and two thirds from six outings.

    His only win over fences came on nice ground in the 2022 Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase having run at Cheltenham the month previous, so him running in the Gold Cup 20 days earlier isn’t a problem.

    Speaking of that Gold Cup run, he was lobbing in front. He put in a sketchy jump here and there, which is what he does, but he was enjoying his time in front on the nicer surface.

    As for his seconds at Aintree, he chased home Gerri Colombe in this race last year on soft ground when ahead of Corbetts Cross, Shishkin, and Gentlemansgame, and he also chased home Shishkin in the 2023 renewal.

    On his opponents, Grey Dawning has a solid chance. I still have a small worry around fast ground, but his run at Kelso showed he is capable of running well in nicer conditions.

    Spillane’s Tower has more of a ground concern, Stage Star isn’t his best around Aintree (and his best form comes on soft), Paul Townend picking Embassy Gardens ahead of Gaelic Warrior was enough to turn me away from the Rich Ricci-owned seven-year-old, Djelo wouldn’t mind a bit of cut, and The Real Whacker is a dude.

    I wouldn’t write off The Real Whacker on this ground at all, but Ahoy Senor’s Aintree record noses him ahead, so he gets my vote.

    Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase (4:05, Thursday) – Willitgoahead @ 4/1 with William Hill – 1pt Win

    He’s well found in the market, but I want to keep Willitgoahead on side in the Foxhunters’.

    His run at Cheltenham suggested dropping slightly back in trip on a flatter track should suit, and these are the conditions he is getting on Thursday.

    Lifetime Ambition has a good chance based on his form with Its On The Line, but when you consider that Willitgoahead beat the former-Jessica Harrington-trained 10-year-old at Tinahely by 13 lengths in November, you have to stick with that piece of form.

    He’s got the younger legs on a few in here and is guaranteed to like the good ground conditions.

    His strong travelling nature at Cheltenham was impressive, and the front three pulled well-clear of the rest of the field.

    4/1 is on the tight side, but it’s well-deserved.

    Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (4:40, Aintree) – Petit Tonnerre @ 17/2 with William Hill (4 places) – 1pt EW

    The Jonjo & AJ O’Neill-trained Petit Tonnerre still looks well-weighted to go well, and conditions have fallen in his favour in the Red Rum Handicap Chase.

    He won at Doncaster on good ground two starts ago off a mark of 125; he was well on top at the finish that day under a cool Richie McLernon ride.

    During the first half of the season, the cheekpieces were left off him, even when he finished second to Imperial Saint at Aintree in October on his seasonal reappearance. Imperial Saint improved 20lbs since that win.

    When the cheekpieces returned, he won at Doncaster and was going well at the start of March at Doncaster again before being brought down.

    The only other time he wore cheekpieces came in last year’s Scottish Champion Hurdle on soft ground off a mark of 132. Cracking Rhapsody (3rd), L’Eau Du Sud (5th), and Rubaud (6th) have all franked the form of that race subsequently.

    On good ground, he can still go well off a mark of 130, and let’s not forget that he beat Heart Wood in a three-year-old hurdle in France.

    To my eye, there aren’t too many well-handicapped horses in this field. Tommy’s Oscar and Calico made it onto the shortlist, and San Bruit also did, but the ground is a worry for the latter.

  • Doncaster Lincoln Meeting Tips | Cracking start to the season

    Doncaster Lincoln Meeting Tips | Cracking start to the season

    “The Flat is back,” we all cried earlier this week, and with this excitement still filling my head, I have three Doncaster Lincoln Meeting tips to consider for Saturday.

    It’s true, the Flat is back, but it’s only momentarily with Aintree, Ayr, Sandown, and Punchestown still to come this jumps season.

    Still, I love the Flat as much as the next man, and I have a few fancies for this weekend’s competitive action.

    I’ll admit, the last few weeks haven’t been great, and I was particularly downbeat about last weekend’s selections. They were notably poor.

    It’s always a tricky period this time of year, so I’ll just have to bat a bit smarter and see how we go.

    Doncaster Lincoln Meeting Tips

    2:25 Doncaster – Iberian @ 8/1 with William Hill (3 places) – 1pt EW

    Iberian had a weird season last year which has almost made him a bit of a below-the-radar horse, and although he is running for the first time this season, he has the ability to win this.

    As a juvenile, he was a high-class animal. He finished second in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes behind Haatem, the subsequent Irish 2000 Guineas runner-up, and ahead of the now 111-rated Mountain Bear.

    He was given plenty to do that day by William Buick and he stayed on through the line; a more prominent ride could have seen him win that day.

    Following that, he won the Group 2 Champagne Stakes when beating Sunway, Rosallion, and Mountain Bear.

    Although the race occurred over seven furlongs, they went slow early-on turning the contest into a sprint. The speedier Iberian was always going to get the better of Sunway that day, and Rosallion didn’t enjoy the softer conditions, but that piece of form is still very smart.

    Sunway won a Group 1 on his final start of that season before finishing second in the Group 1 Irish Derby the following season, and Rosallion’s three-year-old speaks for itself.

    On his final start of the season, Iberian ran in the Dewhurst and finished sixth on ground that was on the soft side for him. Still, he travelled sweetly and looked to have a good chance two furlongs from home, but the stamina test probably caught him out late-on.

    With a win at Southwell in December under the belt, I was pleased to see in the week that Charlie Hills has planned to run him in this race for a while as this is successful track for the Lope De Vega four-year-old.

    3:00 Doncaster – Chic Colombine @ 12/1 with William Hill (3 places) – 1pt EW

    Billy Loughnane has chosen Botanical over Chic Colombine, which is a small worry, but the latter is the one I’m more confident about.

    She’s two from three in races after a 70-day break, notably when winning the Listed Prix la Camargo in March 2024 following a 155-day break.

    She beat Sparkling Plenty, a subsequent Group 1 winner and two-time Group 1 placed mare, by eight lengths that day, which is nice form.

    Two starts later, she had a terrible route through the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes on Epsom Derby Day and was beaten by just a neck.

    Breege, the winner, went on to land the Group 2 City Of York Stakes and the third, Royal Dress, went on to win the Group 3 Meadow Court Stakes at the Curragh.

    Good to soft ground is something that should suit her, and she gets weight from the boys. She has to improve, but pieces of her form and last season’s performances suggest she can.

    3:35 Doncaster – Whip Cracker @ 12/1 with Betfred (6 places) – 1pt EW

    Just the one for me in the Lincoln, but it’s one I’ve been with all week as Whip Cracker looks like an interesting player.

    Although the stats suggest that race fitness isn’t a necessity in previous Lincoln winners, his run at Wolverhampton in the Lincoln Trial earlier this month has to be a positive.

    He looked fresh enough in the early stages of the race, so the run hopefully took the edge off him ahead of this weekend, and his effort towards the line was eye-catching.

    His standout piece of form is his second on seasonal reappearance in the Listed Feilden Stakes last year as the winner, Jayarebe, went on to win a Group 2 and finish behind Economics at Deauville.

    Caviar Heights, the third, won a Listed race on his next start and finished behind Kalpana at Hamilton in July and the fourth, Ambiente Friendly, won the Derby Trial at Lingfield before placing in both the Epsom Derby and Irish Derby.

    He finished third over 1m2f in a nice Newbury three starts later, and the second, Bolster, went on to win a Class 2 York handicap before winning the Listed James Seymour Stakes at Newmarket.

    She is quite the price in this race. She will be a horse to follow this season, no doubt, and I’m hoping she can start the campaign with a win here.