Today's Racing Tips: Three bets on a fantastic day
I have picked out three bets on a superb day of racing.
Leopardstown Tip
15:15 – 3m½f Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1)
MINELLA INDO (1 point win bet at 4/1) can prove the doubters wrong and bounce back to the form that saw him land the Cheltenham Gold Cup last March. Beaten in both outings since that brilliant victory, he was particularly disappointing in the King George when last seen. However, Henry de Bromhead has reported that he returned from Kempton ‘a bit shook’ and now seems confident that he is back to his best. With his key rivals also having a point to prove, this looks a good opportunity to get back on track and lay down a marker ahead of a return to Cheltenham to defend his crown. Robbie Power looks set for a good ride on board this nine-year-old, who is rated far superior to all of his rivals on 175. Janidil and Frodon look the biggest threats and I wouldn’t even rule out a big run from the outsider Cilaos Emery.
Sandown Tip
15:30 – 3m Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase (Class 2)
LINELEE KING (1 point win bet at 7/2), a point to point, bumper and hurdles winner, made a successful chasing debut at Aintree back in November. This £180,000 purchase had reportedly schooled well prior to that run and kept on to score a shade cosily over 2m4f. He was then sent to Ayr to contest a four-runner novice chase and looked the likely winner travelling strongly in front. However, he sprawled on landing at the fourth last, lost all momentum and dropped to last. To his credit, he was able to regather his stride, jumped the last well and stayed on powerfully to get within 1.5-lengths of the winner. Had the race been over further, he’d arguably have maintained his unbeaten record over the larger obstacles. It is therefore no surprise to see connections step him up to three miles today and he gets into this race off bottom weight. Aidan Coleman gets back on board and a big run is expected.
Musselburgh Tip
15:45 – 3m7½f bet365 Edinburgh National Handicap Chase (Class 2)
Regular followers will know my admiration for Mighty Thunder. We’ve been through tough times (Midlands Grand National) and ecstatic times (this race last year and the Scottish Grand National), but my money has been on him more times than not. What I am about to do feels wrong. Likened only to what I imagine it feels like to break wedding vows, I’m opposing him today and will instead wait for his main targets in the spring. The main reason for my defection is that HIGHLAND HUNTER (NAP - 1 point win bet at 9/4) looks to have outstanding claims of continuing his good recent form. Rarely out of the frame, he followed up his Sandown win (seasonal reappearance) with a solid runner up effort in the Welsh Grand National last time out. He actually beat Mighty Thunder over hurdles on his only previous visit to Musselburgh and should relish conditions with rain forecast. Wish me luck!