After three winners from four last week, ITV Racing presenter Oli Bell is hoping to land a knockout blow with his Saturday Yankee.
I may be swapping the parade ring for the boxing ring this weekend, but that has not stopped me casting my eye over an impressive afternoon of racing action.
Instead of being at Kempton Park, I’m presenting ITV Box Office’s coverage of the World Super Series super middleweight clash between Nieky Holzken and Callum Smith, with the winner to face George Groves in the tournament final provided his shoulder is okay.
Hopefully my Yankee for tomorrow can pack an equally impressive punch as the evening action and after finding three winners last week, here are my selections as I aim to go one better tomorrow and land the knockout blow...
2.25 Kempton
I can’t really believe the price of Redicean, even at odds on. This is a horse that has looked really impressive on his first few starts to date and is probably the biggest danger to Apple’s Shakira in the Triumph Hurdle at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.
I know he will go off at a short price on Saturday, but he’s a very talented horse. You could argue he’s reliant on soft ground, but his form on the Flat is good with a win at Redcar and a third at Ripon on good to firm.
With targets down the line, Redicean will prove a versatile type and he’s the sort of animal that Alan King does well with – a talented juvenile hurdler from the Flat who could be a Triumph Hurdle contender. I think he’ll win the Adonis.
3.00 Kempton
Reports are that Humphrey Bogart has been working very well at Seven Barrows. This is a horse that showed ability on the Flat, finishing fifth in the 2016 Epsom Derby, and it’s not very often that you see talent of that calibre lining up over hurdles.
I know it could be dangerous to go off whispers and yard talk, but Nicky Henderson is not a fool and the fact he’s running the five-year-old at this level straight up suggests he’s doing the right things at home.
3.15 Lingfield
I’m going with Aidan O’Brien’s Clear Skies, who has been winning at Dundalk of late.
It’s interesting that the trainer has got a runner in this race and although Ryan Moore has an obligation to ride for Aidan, the fact he’s back from Japan to ride may be indicative of the mare’s chances.
3.35 Kempton
Tintern Theatre has a question mark over jumping, having fallen or unseated his rider on three of the last five occasions.
But if he puts it together I think he’s a very talented horse and at the price I’m willing to take a risk on him.
Nigel Twiston-Davies' seven-year-old is well-handicapped, he’s got good form when he stays up and in what’s a competitive race he will take a bit of beating.
- The Opening Show is on ITV4 at 9.30am on Saturday, with seven live races from Kempton, Lingfield and Newcastle on the same channel from 1.30pm
- Build-up to Smith v Holzken starts on ITV Box Office at 7pm on Saturday
Related horse racing links
