11.10am Pendleton back in the saddle at the weekend
Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton will make her third competitive start as an amateur rider at Newbury on Saturday.
Pendleton made her racecourse debut in a charity event at Newbury in early July, finishing down the field aboard Mighty Mambo, and almost made a fairytale first start as a fully-fledged amateur when beaten just a head aboard Royal Etiquette at Ripon in August.
She was unable to get competitive aboard the same horse at Beverley last month and has been booked to partner Satanic Beat for trainer Phil Middleton in the concluding Rayner Bosch Car Service Handicap, a race restricted to lady amateur riders.
Satanic Beat, an eight-times winner and successful over hurdles at Warwick on his latest appearance, is set to face 15 rivals over a mile and a half.
Thursday’s best bets, by Tony Paley
Those itching to get started betting on the jumps this season will be looking forward to this weekend’s Cheltenham fixture which starts on Friday. Thursday’s action over the sticks is a lot less competitive but Amuse Me (4.25) should be a fair price given the 14-runner field in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle at Carlisle. Jimmy Moffatt’s runner won with so much in hand last week at Sedgefield that he may prove difficult to stop with a 7lb penalty.
In the two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase at the same meeting, Solway Legend (4.55) looks the likeliest winner given his performance at Hexham last time out. The selection was travelling as well as the winner when coming down at the last and has a progressive profile.
Tipping competition - day four
Winners so far
Monday
Harlequin Rock 12-1
Rufford 11-1
Shifting Star 8-1
Tuesday
Art Collection 25-1
Cruise In Style 16-1
Duke Of North 7-1
Wednesday
Gaspirali 8-1
Color Me Hapy 5-1
Drum Valley 5-1
There is no stopping Kingklynch who had the 8-1 winner yesterday and is now on +39. Factormax had the two 5-1 winners and is in second spot on +20.
This week’s prize is a copy of Strictly Classified, a new book by that recognised judge Marten Julian. It aims to offer “a unique insight into the workings of a horseman’s mind, notably in relation to their understanding of a racehorse’s psyche, emotions and character,” to which end Julian has interviewed many of the world’s top trainers. Those of you who buy the Racing Post may have read a fascinating extract last week. If you don’t win, you can buy a copy here.
Today, we’d like your selections, please, for these races: 3.25 Carlisle, 3.35 Southwell & 4.05 Southwell.
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. You can join in 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.
