Today's Horse Racing Tips: Back this trio at Leicester

In the absence of our resident tipster Chris Baker, Steve Chambers steps into his shoes, and picks out three fancies on today’s action at Leicester...

Leicester Tips

Jack Valentine - 13:10 Leicester

There's a six race card taking place at Leicester on Wednesday, and it's the opening contest where we pick out the first bet of the day and it's the Venetia Williams-trained Jack Valentine, who can bound to victory in the Pertemps Network Novices' Handicap Chase at 13:10. The chasing debutant has been in decent form over hurdles in recent times notching up a win and three seconds from his last five races, but it's over fences that could bring the best out of him, and he is entitled to be a prominent figure in the betting. Lining up off a mark of 112, Jack Valentine is one that should relish the testing conditions and if he can take to the chasing sphere then he could well kick off his chaser career on a winning note.

Fanfaron Dino - 14:40 Leicester

Anthony Honeyball's Fanfaron Dino was a comfortable three and a quarter length winner at Uttoxeter last month and has been upped a whopping 13 lb, but the half-brother to Champion Hurdle winner Epatante looks more than capable of being a lot better than his current mark of 100 and he can duly notch up another success today in Leicester's Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle at 14:40. He will have a notable rival in the shape of Jonjo O'Neill's When You're Ready, but Fanfaron Dino certainly shaped like there's a lot more to come over timber in the coming months, and it could prove to be a fruitful time for the JP McManus-owned raider, who can notch a second win in a month.

Lord Sparky - 15:10 Leicester

Caroline Bailey's Lord Sparky finally broke his duck over fences at the sixth time of asking last time out at Huntingdon, and he can duly follow it up this afternoon by claiming victory in the Pertemps Network Handicap Chase at 15:10. A one and a quarter length winner last month, Lord Sparky has been upped 3 lb by the handicapper for that success, but today's mark of 95 looks workable and Bailey's charge can continue his winning ways. Last time out winner Overworkunderpaid is a notable adversary and has to be considered, while Relkadam was another that got his head in front last time out, but it's Lord Sparky that is worth following in a competitive-looking renewal.