ITV Racing Tips Today from Newbury, Kelso and Meydan’s Dubai World Cup

1:30 Newbury

The 1:30 from Newbury is the opener on ITV and it is a handicap hurdle for the novices over the 2m3f trip.

The one for me is BLOW YOUR WAD (13/2) for the Tom Lacey stable. A good winner at Kempton two starts ago he was thrown in Grade 1 company last time out when running in the Tolworth Hurdle in January. He was outclassed there but this is obviously a huge step down in class. Before that, he was a consistent improving sort and now off the back of wind surgery and a break, I think he’ll go well here.

 

1:50 Kelso

The first race from Kelso on ITV is a 2m5f handicap hurdle.

The one I like is PRAIRIE WOLF (11/2). He was unlucky not to complete the double last time out at Doncaster after winning a decent race at Catterick prior to that effort. He only went down by a head that day and he now returns to a course he’s won at before on ground he’s proven on. I think he’s the solid one in this line-up.

 

2:05 Newbury

The second race of three races from Newbury on ITV comes up at 2:05 and it a competitive handicap chase over 2m4f.

I think HELTENHAM (7/2) will win this. A real improving 6 year-old from the Dan Skelton team who is on an steep upward curve. I was taken by his victory last time out at Fifa Las and I don’t think a 7lb rise will stop him from completing the hat-trick here.

 

2:25 Kelso

The 2:25 race is a handicap hurdle for the stayers over a unique trip of 3m2f.

It’s INIS OIRR (7/2) NB for me here. The Lucinda Russell stable can do very little wrong at present and I think they can return to the winners enclosure again here. The selection was a good winner at Musselburgh two starts back and the form has been boosted since. He didn’t run well last time out but that was in a Grade 2 contest at Haydock which isn’t every horse’s cup of tea. I’m always happy to forgive one bad run especially at that level returning to handicap company. I’d be surprised if he’s not better than his current mark and hopefully he can resume improvement again today and kick on.

 

2:40 Newbury- NR

The 2:40 race from Newbury is another competitive contest, this time it is a mares handicap hurdle over an extended 2m4f with 18 runners set to go to post.

I think the winner of the race will likely be a tough hardy mare near the bottom of the handicap and the one I like is MRS GRIMLEY EW. She’s from the Ben Pauling stable and he is having a fine season. She’s had plenty of runs and has only been out the top 3 once in her last 6 starts. That was two starts back at Market Rasen and she’s bounced back since with a good third at Doncaster behind two of todays rivals. She meets them on much better terms handicap wise and I think she can run a big race in a wide open contest.

 

3:00 Kelso

The 3:00 from Kelso is another mares novice handicap hurdle, this time over 2 miles.

I’d expect BONNTAY (7/4) NAP to take a lot of beating here. She just looks the best in this race in my opinion and she’s full of talent. She was a listed bumper winner and although things haven’t quite gone to plan over hurdles yet, there is time and a race like this against her own sex with cheekpieces enlisted for the first time, I think she’ll take the world of beating.

 

3:10 Meydan

The first of three Group 1 races in Dubai comes up at 3:10 and it is the Dubai Turf over 1m1f.

I think REAL WORLD (8/1) EW is being overlooked here. He was arguably the best miler behind Baaeed last season finishing second at both Newbury and Ascot at Group 1 level. He would have needed his run last time out here at Meydan earlier in the month when bombing out after a lengthy break. If he comes on from that as expected, surely he’s overpriced. The trip will be fine over this track and he’s won here at Meydan before so there is no course concerns. I’m surprised at his price.

 

3:35 Kelso

The last race on ITV is the 3:35 from Kelso and it is a 3m2f handicap chase.

I’d chance MIGHTY THUNDER (12/1) here at a decent price. He ran a big race for a long way last time out in the competitive Eider Chase and as already mentioned, the Russell stable is flying at the moment. The trip and ground will hold no fears and off this continuing falling handicap mark with P Wadge taken off a further 5lb, he’s worth chancing at the prices.

 

4:00 Meydan

The 4:00 contest from Meydan is the Grouo 1 Dubai Sheema Classic over 1m4f.

I think REBELS ROMANCE (11/2) EW looks sure to run his race here. The globetrotter is unbeaten in his last five starts across the world and he just seems to thrive off his racing. He was impressive when winning the Group 1 Breeders Cup Turf last November on his last start and this will have been the target since. It’s hard to go against the duo of William Buick and Charlie Appleby and I think he should be slightly closer to the favourite in the market.

 

4:35 Meydan

The final Group from Meydan is the Dubai World Cup, ran on the dirt over 1m2f.

The one for me is COUNTRY GRAMMAR (7/2). The mount of Frankie Dettori, the defending champion who again ran second on his prep run at Riyadh in the Group 1 Saudi Cup just like last year. He stayed on well that day and looks set to be at peak fitness for this contest now. Stall 14 is not ideal but with Dettori on board, I’d be confident he can obtain a decent early position.

 

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