One winner yesterday with Georgian Manor, and a below par effort from my other selection in Killarney, a tiny loss on the day.

Today sees the start of the York meeting that is always worth watching, some good horses on show during the week.

Todays Free tip is as follows:

Horse: Hamada

Time: 2:20 York

Current Odds: 5/2

I backed this horse when he obliged recently at Wolverhampton, it was a good effort, after well over a year off the track.  He has won on grass as a two year old, and I think the ground tomorrow will be perfect at York, unless the heavens open ! He has been raised 5lb for his win at Wolverhampton, but I think although this race is harder, he will be good enough to win again.  Of rivals, Now Children won recently on the all weather after a while off the track, he could be the danger, a slight concern about the trip, he has won over 10f, his Dam was very speedy, if he does stay he is the one to beat.  You can make a case for the rest of the field, as all have chances on their best form, although some have better all weather form so far, than turf form.

Update: 11:55am

High Street Lady 6:10 Killarney is around 7/4 (without fav) she won well last time at Dundalk, a drop in trip today, should be ok for this filly as she is a strong traveller. I am backing without Aiseolas as she is a major threat.

Good start to the week, Diviner was an easy winner yesterday.  She made all the running to win easily, heavily backed from 15/8-11/8 returned.

Todays Free tip is as follows:

Horse: Georgian Manor

Time: 5:45 Beverley

Current Odds: 4/5

Although short in price, this horse would of won another stride at Lingfield last time. Slight negative is stall 13, but the dangers are all drawn wide as well.  Hopefully his jockey can take their time and finish the race off strong, as this horse should relish the stiff finish of the track.  I think he can win this before progressing.

Of rivals, Chief Justice is talented, but quirky, Fascinator ran well on debut, she could be the one to beat, Bayshore Freeway is well drawn and from a good yard, she could well be in the mix on her debut run.

I will update around 11:30am with another possible bet.

Todays free tip is as follows:

Horse: Diviner

Time: 1:50 Wolverhampton

Current Odds: 15/8

I think this filly will make a big jump forward from her debut run on heavy ground, she was backed that day, but never really got into the race, she looks a decent mover who just didn’t handle the ground, plus a lot of horses having their first run just get it all wrong.  A small field with a good jockey look a positive, and those that have ran are clearly nothing special.  Of rivals, Willow Brook has shown a bit of talent, second on its last run was an improvement, she could be the one to beat, Global Goddess comes from a stable that like a bet, any money for her is a positive for her chance of being in the mix.

My selection at Ludlow Colonial Dreams 4:40 today is still around 10/11, I think he could be a lot shorter, he should win.

Looking at the other meetings, at Leopardstown, Nelson faces two stable mates in the Derby trial, I think we will see a big improvement from The Pentagon as the ground is a lot faster than the last time he ran when only third to Nelson. It’s a race that I think Nelson could win , but I am watching rather than having a bet. So only the one selection today.

Jockeys:

When having a bet, it’s always vital you back a horse with a jockey you like, I have a few jockeys I just do not back when they are riding, as they make a straightforward job , difficult!

Richard Kingscote does not fall into that category, as I have mentioned many times, he rode a treble yesterday ( Mancini being one of them ) I think his ride on Knight To Behold at lingfield in the Derby trial yesterday was top class, he got the fractions right in front, and stole the race, he had a willing partner, but Kingscote always seems to be in the right place at the right time when riding, his retained stable of Tom Dascombe likes his horses ridden handily which I prefer myself. Some trainers who have not ridden in a race themselves,  can put pressure on the jockey before they get on the horse, that it has to be ridden a certain way, they would be wiser to do what the better trainers do, (who may have no race-riding experience)  tell you to ride the race to suit the horse, not the horse to suit the race. When riding in a race,  it is vital to ride your horse where he is comfortable, but to also improvise if necessary,  half the field want to do what you have been told to do, so you have to ride the race according to the pace of it, which also suits your horse best, and gives them the best chance of winning.

Late Update: 10.20pm

I am advising a horse that runs tomorrow that I think will win.  I will do an update tomorrow in the morning as I will look at weather overnight, and see how much rain may of fallen.

Sundays free tip is as follows:

Horse: Colonial Dreams

Time: 4.40 Ludlow

Current Odds: 10/11

I think this horse is really improving.  He won very easily last time, he has won on good and soft ground.  His trainer’s horses are in top form and his jockey has ridden him before.  He will be hard to beat, even with 11.12 on his back.  Of rivals, Cereal Killer could pose the biggest threat, although he has to show a big step forward in form, maybe he will be more at home on the ground, if it remains good.

Late update: 4.25

Just watched Mancini win cosily, he was well backed in from 7/4-11/10. I am going to end on a winner, the rain has put connections off at Lingfield with the horse I liked in late race, it  has been withdrawn.

A good winner yesterday, Raa Atoll won easily at Nottingham, heavily backed from 5/4 into 4/6, he is a smart horse.

Todays Free tip is as follows:

Horse: Mancini

Time : 4:15 Lingfield

Current Odds: 7/4

A good recent win on the all wether over 1m 6f showed this horse really stays well, he is improving and will be hard to beat today.  He has the excellent Richard Kingscote riding and he knows this horse well.  The 2miles today on grass should not be a problem. Of rivals, Western Way is ultra consistent, he keeps performing well and runs off a career high mark, Master Archer has lots of talent, but he is not totally genuine, he is the main threat, as horses like him are always dangerous if they decide to put their best foot forward.

I will update later around 2pm with another possible bet.

Update: 1:25pm

The ground at Lingfield is going to ride pretty quick I think, reports are it is on the fast side of good. I am not backing the horse I liked, it’s value has gone.

At Ascot I was interested in the 6:35 , but I am finding it difficult to decide on one or the other, so I’m just staying with my earlier selection that runs at Nottingham.  I do think Eminent will win at Chester 2:25 , but 4/6 is far too skinny for me. A few horses tomorrow of interest, some very good racing at three or four meetings, including Oaks and Derby trials.

A nice winner yesterday, Idaho showed his class to win at Chester, he was heavily backed into 8/11.  Now his trainers horses are starting to fire, it’s advisable to follow them.

Todays Free tip is as follows:

Horse: Raa Atoll

Time: 5:40 Nottingham

Current Odds: 5/4

Although short in the betting today, this horse was given a kind ride on debut when second last month, he was unfancied that day.  He is well bred and will take a lot of beating today.  It is quite a decent race, with a few winners that are no mugs, I do expect Raa Atoll to be good enough receiving 7lb from the horses that have won. Of rivals, Morning Wonder could well out run his big odds, he was useful at two, Occupy is a winner and can be expected to run better than he did on his first run on turf last month, Loveisili ran with promise on debut, he should be in the mix.

I will Update at lunchtime as a couple of horses running of interest at Ascot and Lingfield.