With the excitement of Cheltenham now a distant memory, RacingGav is back with three pts for the cards on Friday at Musselburgh and Newbury.
Friday Horse Racing Betting Tips
3:00 Musselburgh Tips
3m (2m7f180y) Racing TV Go North Brindisi Breeze Hurdle Series Final (A Handicap Hurdle) (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+)
Curley Finger – 0.5pt Each Way – 10/1 (Bet365, 4 places)
My first selection today is Curley Finger for Rebecca Menzies at Musselburgh.
He ran his best race to date in a Novice Hurdle at Wetherby in December achieving a RPR of 116. That was over 2m5.5f on Soft ground. He stayed on well that day, leaving the impression he we would be suited by a step up to 3m.
Next time out they actually dropped back in trip and the horse still ran a very respectable 4th. He was beaten 15 lengths but the winner has gone in twice more since and it was over an inadequate trip.
They then tried the 3m trip but it was on unsuitable good ground. He travelled strongly through the race but looked very one paced at the business end on the better ground. He was then dropped back in trip and kept on similar good ground and again he was outpaced at the business end.
Now they finally try the 3m trip again and they do so with some juice in the ground (Good to Soft). His opening mark of 111 is now down to 107 and first time cheekpieces go on. Given he has previously achieved RPRs of 108, 109 and 116, I think he can go well off this mark of 107.
At his price of 10/1, you would be happy with him running a place but I think on a going day, he could even challenge for more.
3:10 Newbury Tips
3m (3m52y) In Loving Memory Of Luke Howliston Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-140)
Phantom Getaway – 0.5pt Each Way – 14/1 (William Hill, 3 places)
My second selection today is Phantom Getaway for Kim Bailey.
The Kim Bailey yard have been struggling this season but he did manage a winner last weekend and backed it up with two more on Wednesday, so perhaps the yard are turning the corner..?
This horse was very impressive at Ffos Las on his first run this season, winning by 7 lengths eased down. He is a big galloping type, who looks a chaser in the making.
Next time out at Hereford, he was made to look one paced by the front two. Hereford can be a track for strong travellers though with quite a sharp final bend and a shorter run in. He may well have just found it all happening a bit quick for him.
I think this trip, soft ground and Newbury could be right up his street. Newbury is a big galloping track which should give him plenty of time to get going.
He was due to run at Cheltenham but he was balloted out and you would think they would have had him ready to run a personal best there. He now goes here instead, he gets first time cheekpieces and what look to be ideal conditions. Therefore, he should be primed and ready to go well.
Again at a price of 14/1, you would be happy with a place, especially in race as competitive as this but he could surprise. Zanza is incredibly well in on his chase mark but this is over hurdles and also on soft ground, which are two big question marks.
15:40 Newbury Tips
2m6½f (2m6f93y) Get A Run For Your Money At BetVictor Handicap Chase (Class 3) (5yo+ 0-125)
Sheldon – 0.5pt Each Way – 11/1 (Bet365, 3 places)
Last but not least, we have Sheldon in the next race at Newbury.
This horse won his first two completions over fences (fell twice between them), with one over 2m5f on Good ground and the other on 2m3f on Heavy ground. The latter was beating Upton Road who I like and who I think is a good horse on his day.
He has then had two runs on Good to Soft and Good which I just feel are too quick for him off this current mark. I feel he likely got away with it at Stratford as he was so well handicapped.
He how goes back up to 2m6.5f on Soft ground and I feel this will be right up his street. He runs off a mark of 120 and given he has achieved a RPR of 122 the last twice with unideal conditions and the fact his two previous completions, he achieved RPRs of 128 and 126, I feel a mark of 120 is very workable for him.
His Dam won a PTP over 3m and there is also other staying pedigree in the family such as Ballybolley, Skinflint and Sweet Kiln.
Back on a softer surface, I think this horse can continue his progression and again, he is a lovely price at 11/1.
Total Outlay – 3 points