ITV Racing Tips for Saturday 22nd April from Ayr and Newbury

1:15 Ayr

The opener on Scottish National a day is a decent handicap chase over the extended 2 mile trip.

I think FRERO D’ARMES (15/8) NAP will be tough to beat here. Two good victories in November last year at Kempton and Newbury before taken a nice break. He then went to Ascot at the start of the month and finished second behind Black Gerry. I think he’ll come on for that and this track will suit more than Ascot. A lot of his chief rivals had a tough enough race in the Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree last week and the selection comes here fresher than most.

 

1:30 Newbury

We also head to Newbury for the flat action and the 1:30 from Newbury starts proceedings. It is the Group 3 Surprise Stakes over 1m4f.

I like MOJO STAR (4/1) in here for the in-form Richard Hannon stable. He was only seen once last season finishing a fine second in the Gold Cup behind star stayer Kyprios. He operated a high level as a 3 year-old too finishing second in the St Leger and thought good enough to run in the Arc. He’s proven that he can run well after a break and Amo Racing like to have them ready to rock at the start of the season. He has questions to answer but so does the odds-on favourite in this Hurricane Lane.

 

1:50 Ayr

Next up from Ayr is the Novices Champion Handicap Chase over 3m.

I like CITY CHIEF (2/1) here for the Nicky Henderson stable. This six year-old has improved for every outing this season and looks a horse on an upward curve. He would have easily been good enough to run at either Cheltenham or Aintree but connections have kept him fresh. He was a good winner over this trip at Wetherby last time out and he can win again.

 

2:05 Newbury

The 2:05 from Newbury is the Fred Darling Stakes, a Group 3 for the fillies over 7f.

I’d chance SWINGALONG (13/2) here. She was a really good speedy two-year old last season and she ran in all the right races. She won decent races at Ripon and at York before finishing a fine 4th behind Lezoo at Group 1 level at the end of the campaign. The step up to 7f is a concern given the speed she possesses but I’m hopeful it’ll be fine.

 

2:25 Ayr

The 2:25 contest is the Grade 2 Scottish Champion Hurdle which is always an intriguing handicap.

I like ANNA BUNINA (13/2) here. She won this last year and the ground has come right for her again this time around. She finished a good second at Punchestown before running well in the County Hurdle last time out finishing 9th not beaten far at all. This ground and track is much more to her cup of tea and the duo of Ben Harvey claiming 5lb and John McConnell have had a mighty fine season.

 

2:40 Newbury

The 2:40 race is an exciting renewal of the Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes, a Group 3 over 7f which will provide plenty of 2000 Guineas clues.

I’d take a swing on THE RIDLER (50/1) EW here. He won the Norfolk Stakes last season at Royal Ascot out of nowhere really. Prior to that he won a Class 5 at Ripon before finishing third in a mediocre race at Beverley. On his final start of the season he finished 5th of 5 in France behind top 2 year-old Blackbeard. However, connections won this race last year so know what type of horse is required. William Buick is a very eye-catching jockey booking and I think this step up to 7f will bring about further improvement. Often the Fahey horses run big on their first effort of the season and I wouldn’t be surprised if this lad runs a big race.

 

3:00 Ayr

The 3:00 contest from Ayr is the Grade 2 Future Champion Novices Chase over the extended 2m4f.

I think BALCO COASTAL (9/4) NB can return to form here. He should get his own way in front and I get the impression he likes bowling along in a small field. He won well at Sandown three starts back before running Gerri Colombe close back there next time. He was disappointing at Cheltenham last time out but returning to a flatter track on better ground looks ideal. Connections rate him highly and I think he can resume improvement. He brings strong form to the table and should get the run of things.

 

3:15 Newbury

The final race from Newbury is the Spring Cup Handicap over the mile.

I’d be happy to give ATRIUM (10/1) EW another chance in this. He looked a decent three year-old last season winning two decent handicaps here Newbury over this distance and again at Doncaster towards the back end of the season. The Lincoln was a funny race and he looked like he got stuck a little in the heavy ground on his seasonal return. With that effort under his belt I’d be happy to give him another chance in this wide-open context.

 

3:35 Ayr

The feature comes up at 3:35, the Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase over the marathon 4m distance.

I like MONBEG GENIUS (5/1) here. He ran a cracker when finishing a close third in the Ultima at Cheltenham last time out, a race that has obviously worked out well since. Prior to that he’d won three on the spin and he looks a 7 year-old on a serious upward curve. I don’t think stamina will be a problem and he looks a strong contender in this.

 

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