There’s a real treat for racing fans on Wednesday 16th April as there’s some quality action at Newmarket on day two of the Craven meeting, while National Hunt fans will get to see two races on ITV from Cheltenham for day one of their April fixture. Our in-house tipster Steve Chambers has taken a look at the live racing and picks out his best bets across the afternoon.
1:50pm Newmarket – bet365 Handicap
Charlie Appleby’s AL MISBAR still remains a maiden after four starts, but the Godolphin raider can finally break his duck in the opening race at Newmarket at 1:50pm. An expensive purchase, the half-brother to star sprinter Battaash ended last season with a fine second in a nursery at Newmarket in soft going and he’s more than capable of continuing his improvement this campaign.
He’s been given a 3lbs rise by the handicapper, so will take his chance off a mark of 86, but he looks more than capable of improving beyond that mark this season and looks the one to be with. The likes of Defence Minister and Dark Cloud Rising are notable adversaries, but both could prove vulnerable to Appleby’s raider, who can simply outclass his rivals here.
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2:05pm Cheltenham – Kingston Stud Handicap Hurdle
Nicky Henderson’s EAST INDIA EXPRESS was well fancied by many for the Martin Pipe at last month’s Cheltenham Festival, but the Seven Barrows inmate tired in the closing stages of that contest and could only finish seventh. The form of the contest has certainly been given a boost with the winner that day Wodhooh running such a fine race in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle earlier this month, so the Henderson charge has to be respected.
Prior to that Cheltenham defeat he had won well at Kempton and Ascot, but he then had a lengthy absence before heading to Cheltenham, so a quick turnaround here should help. Freddie Gordon is a fascinating jockey booking and he will take 3lbs off the six-year-old’s back, which could prove vital as he looks to storm up the hill.
2:40pm Cheltenham – Matt Hampson Foundation Silver Trophy Handicap Chase
Emma Lavelle’s HANG IN THERE was a fine second in this race 12 months ago and the 11-year-old will look to go one better in Thursday’s Silver Trophy Handicap Chase at Cheltenham at 2:40pm. He will yet again have the burden of top weight in this event, but he will find this much easier than when pulling up in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last month.
Willie Mullins has a strong team lining up with O’Moore Park and Classic Getaway spearheading the betting at the moment, while Il Ridoto and Fugitif have some fine performances at Prestbury Park during their careers. However, it’s the top-weighted veteran that can deliver the goods again in this contest and at big double-figured prices he makes the most appeal.
3:35pm Newmarket – bet365 Craven Stakes
A hugely competitive renewal of the Craven Stakes, plenty of these will be wanting to book their place in next month’s 2000 Guineas and the likes of Aomori City and Wimbledon Hawkeye will be well fancied having been very smart juveniles.
However, the one to back here is Andrew Balding’s NEW CENTURY, who was a fine winner of a Group 1 at Woodbine. He built on that effort with a decent fourth at the Breeders’ Cup and a return to British soil could bring on real improvement. A 40/1 shot for the Guineas, at the time of writing, the Kameko colt is already a Listed winner at Salisbury, so has shown smart form on home soil and he can down his rivals here and propel into Classic contention with a taking victory.
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