Today’s best bets, by Greg Wood
There is no real competition for best race of the day as Windsor’s £37,000 Listed sprint over six furlongs has attracted a 16-running field and better still, an obvious favourite with enough question marks over his chance to be taken on.
Pretend has not been seen since his deeply impressive success in the sprint on All-Weather Championships Day at Lingfield, but he swept to victory with such authority that he is no better than 11-4 to extend his winning streak to four on what is only his second career start on turf.
His previous outing on grass was a disappointment, however, as he finished only seventh of 11 in a seven-furlong conditions event at Meydan in February 2014. The form of Charlie Appleby’s string has also been a little patchy in recent weeks, with Tryster – another to put up a big performance at the All-Weather Championships – particularly disappointing in last week’s Brigadier Gerard Stakes.
Pretend is not clear of his field on ratings either, even on his all-weather form, and his price makes little appeal. Eastern Impact (7.25), by contrast, has a major chance on the form of his success in handicap company last time out, a race that is already starting to produce subsequent winners. With Pretend making the market, the 7-1 available at Richard Fahey’s runner is worth taking.
Fyrecracker (7.55) made an encouraging return to action at Ascot three weeks ago and can race off the same mark here with useful apprentice Tom Marquand taking off 7lb, while Stocking (Lingfield 3.35) is back on the surface on which he produced his standout performance. Thecornishcowboy (Lingfield 4.10) ran up a five-timer around this time last year with his mark rising into the mid-80s. He is back down to 64 now and showed signs of a return to form last time out.
Queen Catrine (3.50) should take the feature event at Leicester, while Chicago School (6.40) holds strong claims on the evening card at Carlisle.
Coral tipping competition - a new week
Congratulations to diegoisgod, who sealed victory in last week’s competition by picking Robin Park (7-2) on Friday, finishing on a score of +17.25. Melonk also had a winner on Friday and finished close up on +15.83.
This week’s prize, in much the same vein as last week, is a £25 bet on the Derby, offered by those generous souls at Coral!
To kick things off, we’d like your selections, please, for these races: 3.50 Leicester, 4.15 Naas, 7.25 Windsor.
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.
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!
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