Today’s best bets, by Chris Cook
Horse racing is, of course, The Great Triviality. There are people who will look askance at us for pursuing such a frothy activity at a time when at least 48% of us are full of fresh fears for the future.
On the other hand, I’ve always felt that entertainment is most needed at times of crisis, which is why people used to ascend the scaffold saying things like: “God, I hope this weather picks up a bit”. So thank heaven for the cheap thrills of Chester, where we might all benefit from a bit of Irish Optimism (6.35).
From the John Quinn yard that has a 16% record here, he will be partnered in this apprentice race by Kevin Stott, whose Chester record is 4/9. In view of the test that this circuit poses to a gang of inexperienced riders, that really does seem like an advantage.
Unfancied for his handicap debut at Haydock last month, this gelding never got into the argument after a slow start in a 13-runner field. He can do better, as he showed when ridden more handily for his maiden success on his previous start, when he beat a fancied runner of Kevin Ryan’s that has won since.
Judging by his effort on heavy at Redcar in April, a bit of cut may help Irish Optimism. He’s 13-2.
Later, you can get 7-1 for the British debut of Compass Hill (8.40), sold out of Ireland in the autumn and now with Dandy Nicholls’ in-form stable, having been gelded over the winter. He won a Cork maiden on soft by daylight when last seen, finishing strongly, which is not bad considering his yard had a 5% strike-rate in 2015. It’s a little surprising to see that his handicap mark here is 5lb below the one he had in Ireland before that success and 11lb below his initial rating in August.
Jedd O’Keeffe is another trainer who has been winning lately and he has two interesting runners in the divided handicap at the end of Doncaster’s card. His Laila Honiwillow has been spotted by the market in the first division but you can get 7-1 about King’s Currency (5.50) in the second - and no, I really didn’t just pick him because of the topicality.
King’s Currency was an eye-catching fourth on his second try in a handicap last time and should appreciate this more giving surface, to judge by the form of his winning siblings. Three-year-old handicaps is an area in which his trainer does fairly well.
Tipping competition, day five
Our winners so far:
Monday
Sir Roderic 3-1
Young John 3-1
Vastly 7-2
Tuesday
French Legend 5-2
Soaring Spirits 2-1
Fear Glic 2-1
Wednesday
Edgar Balthazar 25-1
Marmajuke Bay 10-1
Sindarban 5-1
Thursday
Green Door 4-1
Sir Theodore 3-1
Kitaaby 8-1
And our leader is:
Mai11 +32
… who was lying a handy second before finding both Green Door and Kitaaby. Other good scores: mycopia23 +27, Bonzodrongo +12, bgenevier +5.50, yasmin11 +5.50, Fixxxer +5.50, 16heathermac01 +2.50, JahLion +2.
For today’s thrilling climax, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 4.40 Cartmel, 6.45 Newcastle, 8.40 Chester.
This week’s prize is a pair of tickets to Sandown for Eclipse day on Saturday 2 July, a week on Saturday. Time Test, The Gurkha and Taqdeer currently head the betting for a race that is always a highlight of each summer’s Flat racing, plus there will be a DJ set by Nick Grimshaw after the action on the track has finished. If you don’t win, you can buy tickets here.
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today but you will start on -12.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
