Those who reject all-weather racing out of hand are unlikely to agree but the most interesting race of the day could well be the conditions sprint at Kempton this evening, when Chookie Royale (8.25) will return to an artificial surface after five unsuccessful runs on turf since his third-place finish in the sprint on All-Weather Championships day.
Keith Dalgleish’s gelding has been acquitting himself reasonably well in a couple of those starts, all of which were in very decent company, and arrives at Kempton this evening, with Tom Queally on board, after two runs in September to set him right following a break from mid-May.
He is significantly better on Polytrack, however, and put up probably the outstanding sprint performance of the winter campaign on the level at Chelmsford City in February. There is another very useful all-weather sprinter in the field in Lancelot Du Lac but Chookie Royale has a few pounds in hands at today’s weights and should make it count today.
There are 21 non-runners already on the card at Nottingham, but Mengli Khan (3.05) and Rocket Ronnie (4.10) are both still backable at their odds. First Sitting (4.45) put up the performance of his career last time out but remains fairly weighted in the circumstances and has form with some cut in the ground.
At Towcester, Thomas Crapper (4.00) should finally record his first win over fences. He finished second in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2014 and has somehow remained a novice over fences this season despite another good second in the novice handicap chase there in March.
Tipping competition, day three
Our winners so far:
Monday
Medicine Hat 14-1
Ready Token 9-4
Sweet P 5-2
Tuesday
Agent Gibbs 7-2
Sir Jack Layden 25-1
Spring Loaded 7-2
And our leader is …
TL127 +21.25
… who has had doubles on both days so far. Sportingbest (+12.50) and Steve Ellis (+9.75) come next. No one found Sir Jack Layden.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 3.35 Nottingham, 4.35 Towcester, 8.25 Kempton.
This week, we’re giving you a second chance to win a copy of the Racing & Football Outlook Jumps Guide 2015-16, currently at the printers and expected in plenty of time for the Charlie Hall. It’s packed with its usual features, stats and expert views and can be purchased here if you don’t happen to win a copy.
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 -6.
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.
