UK Horse Racing Tips

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In the 3.50 at Sandown on Friday, Richard Johnson has a 4-9 (44%) strike rate on hurdlers trained by Henry Oliver during the last five seasons, so his booking for Spencer Lea – his only ride of the day – stands out like a sore thumb. The Overbury gelding returned from an absence of nearly two years to win a 0-120 event, over 2 miles 4½ furlongs, at Market Rasen last month and, although he steps back up in class off a 6lb higher mark, may well be equal to the task.

Although now an 8-year-old, he’s only had eight starts, six of them over hurdles, so he still remains open to significant improvement on his second start for his new yard. Course, distance and going should suit him admirably and he may be able to take this contest en route to better things, if he can be kept sound. Interestingly, Richard Johnson also rode him to his only previous success, over 2 miles 5 furlongs at Ludlow in February 2014, so the hint may be worth taking.

Selection: Sandown 3.50 Spencer Lea to win

In the Racing Again 9^th March Handicap Hurdle (5.00) at Catterick on Tuesday, Seymour Eric may never scale the heights that once seemed likely earlier in his career, but was nibbled at in the market when showing slight signs of resurgence at Towcester last month and may be ready to win his first race for nearly three years. Now an 11-year-old, the Bollin Eric gelding has dropped 28lb in the weights since last visiting the winners’ enclosure and, having raced prominently at Towcester, weakened from three out to finish third of the eight runners, beaten 13½ lengths by the winner, Mondo Cane.

If he’s able to build on that, the return to 3 miles 1 furlong should be in his favour and, while he’s yet to win on going faster than good to soft, but with rain, sometimes heavy, forecast for Yorkshire overnight, he may well have underfoot conditions to suit. Of course, he comes with risks attached, but the fact that he was supported over 2 miles – a trip at least half a mile short of his best – last time suggests that he must have been showing something at home.

Selection: Catterick 5.00 Seymour Eric to win

It’s almost that time of year ago. On Tuesday 15^th March until Friday 18^th, race fans will have a whole host of high quality national hunt races to sink their teeth into, as the Cheltenham Festival is once again upon us. It seems like only yesterday that we were all cheering on Irish jockey Ruby Walsh to see if he could grab Top Jockey honours for the third year running in the 2015 Festival (suffice to say he did and he’s 4/11 to do it again this year) as well as Willie Mullins as he too made it three in a row as leading trainer, with an amazing eight winners over the four days (and in 1-10 this year, so it’s almost a given hell make it four in a row). I wonder what surprises the 2016 Festival will deliver for viewers and punters.

Much the same as in previous years, the Cheltenham Festival 2016 is split into four days of competitive racing action. It starts on March 15^th, also known as Champion Day, before Ladies Day on the 16^th, St Patrick’s Day on 17^th and least but not least, Cheltenham Gold Cup Day on 18^th March. Understandably considering the excitement that surrounds the festival each and every year, betting odds are already available for every race and some of them reveal a glimpse into how competitive, or otherwise, some of the races over the four days really are.

With a fairly large field it’s perhaps not surprising that a few horses are deemed to be in with a shot of winning the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup, which is held on the 18^th. Those hotly tipped at time of writing include Don Cossack and Vautour, both at 4-1, Djakadam and Cue Card at 5-1 or thereabouts and Don Poli at 6-1. Personally, more of a wish than a venture into Cheltenham 2016 tips , I have my fingers crossed for Cue Card on account that the Jockey Club Racecourses’ £1m bonus can then be secured following previous impressive wins this season. What an achievement that would be.

Gold Cup aside, on the final day I’m also interested to see Olympic Gold Medalist Victoria Pendleton ride Pacha Du Polder in the St James’s Place Foxhunter Chase. You can get 33-1 on Pacha Du Polder currently though, so punters aren’t delivering a thumbs up quite yet. I’ll also have my eyes peeled for the Queen Mother Champion Chase on the 16^th. Paul Nicholls rides defending champion Dodging Bullets. With some work to do fitness wise though the horse has his work cut out and the odds show that, he’s at 10-1 while firm favourite Un De Sceaux is a super short 4/6.

Whether you’re hoping for a betting bonanza during the Festival or are just interested in watching the four days unfold, this National Hunt treat is bound to more than match the excitement of previous years. Not to be missed!

The 32Red Handicap (7.40) at Kempton on Wednesday is a competitive heat for the grade, but may provide Mezmaar with an opportunity to supplement his win over 7 furlongs at the Sunley-on-Thames course three weeks ago. Kevin Morgan’s lightly-raced 7-year-old is just 4lb higher in the weights than when driven out to beat Dutiful Son by half and length, in this grade, on that occasion and, with the runner-up beaten, but far from disgraced, in a better race at Lingfield next time, still looks reasonably treated.

On his last attempt over course and distance, the Teofilio gelding finished a never-nearer fifth, beaten 2¾, behind subsequent winner Noble Deed in a 0-75 contest, off a 3lb lower mark. He’s drawn a little wider on the track than ideal, but there should be no hanging about and, hopefully, Shane Kelly can deliver him fast and late to lift the spoils. Suffolk trainer Kevin Morgan has a fair, if unspectacular, 5-32 (16%) strike rate with his older horses on the Polytrack at Kempton, for a very healthy 47.50 points profit, over the last five seasons, so Mezmaar could go well at generous odds.

Selection: Kempton 7.40 Mezmaar to win