MerseySportLive kick off our second week of Today’s racing previews and tips. Having tipped three good priced winners last week, the National Hunt Season gets into full flow with meetings every day this week finishing at the mecca of racing, Cheltenham this weekend.
As the flat season draws to a close,Today’s flat action has three meetings across the country, in Pontefract, Windsor and in the evening at Southwell.
The biggest prize pot amounts to £19,849 in the 15:30 at Pontefract in the Listed, Group 1 – ebfstallions.com Silver Tankard Stakes. William Haggas and James Doyle team up with market leader, Grand Rock, at around 2/1.
Plumpton is the only jumps card his afternoon, the East Sussex course holds seven races starting from 14:10. The feature is off at 15:40 “A Spirit of Love” Memorial Race, which is a Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, Class 3.
My tips for the day are below.
NAP: Muscial Slave – 15:40 Plumpton.
Barry Geraghty makes the trip over from Ireland to ride J.P McManus’ Horse. He was an impressive winner last time out at the Punchestown Festival, wining a handicap hurdle off top weight against a staggering 24 runners. He should take to fences well and will definitely stay the trip.
NB: Dante’s view – 16:20 Pontefract.
Jockey Danny Tudhope was the closest challenger to Champion Jockey, Oisin Murphy this season, and he takes the ride here for ten-time champion flat trainer Sir Michael Stout. A few near misses this season with different jockeys, the three year old has looked best under Tudhope and should be in with a chance in the final furlong.
Each-Way: Lopes Dancer – 15:20 Pontefract.
Trainer Brian Ellison is in a fine spell of form now and drops this horse down in trip. He won over 1m4f at the end of September but was not able to recreate the form on his latest start over the same course and distance, so should appreciate the step down in distance and the different surface. Should get a good price and some bookmakers are paying extra places.
