Today's Racing Tips: Selections from Wincanton & Sandown

After travelling strongly, yesterday’s NAP File Illico (advised at 7/1) made a couple of errors in the straight at Wetherby and looked set to finish second before rallying in fine style to get up close home. It was a third winner of the year for me and I’m hoping to add to that tally today with five bets for the racing at Wincanton and Sandown.

Wincanton Tips

13:30 – 1m7f Leonna Mayor New House Celebration Handicap Hurdle (Class 5)

In-form trainer Anthony Honeyball saddles MIDNIGHT CALLISTO (1 point win bet at 13/2), who made a promising start to her career when winning a bumper by 8-lengths on her racecourse debut before being placed in a Listed NHF race at Market Rasen. Unfortunately, she is yet to build on that form over hurdles and is still a maiden in this sphere after seven races. However, she has shaped with promise on her last two starts and can gain a deserved win today. Fourth of 16 runners at Southwell in November, she then found just one too good at Taunton last time out. The front two pulled ten-lengths clear of the rest and a repeat of that form would make her difficult to beat. With proven stamina over further, I’d expect to see her ridden positively and the fitting of first time cheekpieces is another reason to be optimistic.

14:05 – 1m7½f advancedBiotech.co.uk UK Award Winning CBD Handicap Chase (Class 3)

Another race in which I am siding with the Anthony Honeyball representative: BELLE DE MANECH (NAP - 1 point win bet at 9/2). Since sending this mare out to win here at Wincanton on Boxing Day, the trainer has won with four of his 12 runners so clearly has his string in fine form. A bumper and hurdle (at this course) winner, this six-year-old’s victory over 2m4f here two weeks ago came on her chase debut by an impressive 14-lengths. Her jumping was good and there is every chance she can follow up today with no concern over the drop back in trip. Jockey Rex Dingle knows the horse well and the pair can get the better of Grey Diamond, who drops down in grade to contest this.

14:40 – 2m5½f rapidcharge.com Leading EV Charging Solution Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)

With several runners pulled out due to the easing in the ground, a chance is taken on two that should handle conditions: GOLDEN EMBLEM (0.5 point win bet at 9/1) and EARTH BUSINESS (0.5 point win bet at 11/1). Golden Emblem has to bounce back from a couple of disappointing runs this season but she was a convincing winner over this course and distance less than a year ago and is now slipping back down the weights. Earth Business is still a maiden but looks sure to be suited by this intermediate trip having raced over two miles and three miles already this season. His best effort came over 2m3f and he remains open to improvement with more experience now gained.

Sandown Tip

13:50 – 1m7½f Unibet Horserace Betting Operator Of The Year Handicap Chase (Class 2)

This looks a good opportunity for NUMITOR (1 point win bet at 5/2) to continue his progression over fences. Yet to finish out of the first three in his six starts over the larger obstacles to date, Heather Main’s eight-year-old goes in search of a fourth career success today. One of his three wins came on his seasonal reappearance back in October and he then ran well to finish second in a decent Newbury race the following month. He has been raised just 2lbs by the handicapper since that run and has been freshened up ahead of this. He will have no problem with conditions, has had a previous run over the Sandown fences and is clearly held in high regard by connections as he was set to run in the Grade 1 Arkle at last year’s Cheltenham Festival. Monsieur Lecoq can chase home the selection.