Archive for the ‘Racing Tips’ Category
4.10 Newcastle, Tuesday, February 14
In the Sunbets.co.uk Handicap (4.10) at Newcastle on Tuesday, Holiday Magic is 2lb higher in the weights than when beaten in a similar race over course and distance last month, but ran just about as well as he ever has on that occasion, despite pulling hard, and still looks far from impossibly handicapped. Of the three horses that beat him on his last visit, just Al Khan has run since, finishing a never-nearer sixth of 13 at Kempton, having been dropped in from a wide draw. However, Nimr and Pactolus, sixth and eleventh, respectively, have both won since to give the form some substance. It’s another competitive heat, but Holiday Magic should give us a decent run for our money.
Selection: Newcastle 4.10 Holiday Magic to win
7.15 Kempton, Friday, February 3
In the 32Red.com Handicap (7.15) at Kempton on Friday, Born To Finish has made excellent progress this winter, completing a hat-trick over course and distance with a minimum of fuss last month. The son of Dark Angel has already been raised 18lb, which has necessitated a rise in class, but Jeremy Gask’s four-year-old has a turn of foot that could continue to keep the handicapper awake at night for a while longer and it’ll be disappointing if he isn’t competitive once again, even in this higher grade. His draw, in stall 12 of 12, is no help over 6 furlongs at Kempton, but apprentice David Parkes delivered him perfectly from stall 9 of 10 over course and distance last time and can do so again.
Selection: Kempton 7.15 Born To Finish to win
12.35 Cheltenham, Saturday, January 28
In the 12.35 at Cheltenham, Singlefarmpayment has been raised 9lb for winning a similar race over 3 miles 1½ furlongs on the New Course in December, but travelled strongly most of the way on that occasion and may have more to offer. The Milan gelding has yet to win at a distance shorter than 3 miles under Rules, but won his sole point start over 2 miles 5 furlongs and has run creditably in defeat at, or around, today’s distance of 2 miles 4 furlongs and 166 yards often enough over hurdles to suggest he won’t be inconvenienced by dropping back in distance. The form of his previous second to Beware The Bear at Ascot in November has worked out well and, with three of his four career wins coming on good to soft, or softer, he may well improve again for a little cut in the ground.
Selection: Cheltenham 12.35 Singlefarmpayment to win
‘That’s Just Champion’, Wednesday, January 11
In the 4.30 at Newcastle on Thursday, Holiday Magic failed to trouble the judge on his first eights starts for Michael Easterby, although his fourth of 13, beaten 3¼ lengths, over course and distance on his debut for the yard was the best of a non-descript lot. The Dark Angel gelding hinted at a revival when second of ten, beaten half a length, over course and distance three starts ago, but has won his last three starts, on Tapeta, Polytrack and Fibresand, in the style of a rapidly improving horse and is hard to oppose under a 6lb penalty. The 6-year-old steps up in class, but he could be called the winner a long way from home at Southwell and, if able to translate that form back to Tapeta, must take a world of beating.
Selection: Newcastle 4.30 Holiday Magic to win