There are four meetings in Britain and Ireland on Tuesday and Racing Post tipster Graeme Rodway returns with his best bets across the cards.
2.05 Chepstow - Blue Bikini @ 5/1
2.40 Chepstow - Ventara @ 7/1
3.52 Catterick - Hour By Hour @ 12/1
There are some classy females in the 2m71/2f handicap hurdle (2.05) at Chepstow, but none appear to be improving as quickly as BLUE BIKINI and she is a good bet to land the hat-trick.
The Fergal O’Brien-trained seven-year-old was no stronger than at the finish when landing a 2m41/2f handicap hurdle at Market Rasen in April and she showed improved form when following up over an extra half-furlong at Warwick on her next outing off a 6lb higher mark.
That took Blue Bikini's record over hurdles to four wins from eight starts and she recorded back-to-back equal career-high Racing Post Ratings, so is evidently now progressing well.
She is up another 5lb in the weights, but looks certain to improve again for another two and a half furlongs step up in trip and is from a stable that does well at this time of year.
View the latest Horse Racing news, videos and betting tips
The 2m handicap hurdle (2.40) comes up next at Chepstow and VENTARA showed enough promise in three outings last season to suggest that he can make his mark in this company.
Ventara fell on his debut at Taunton but showed no ill effects when fifth in a maiden hurdle at Wincanton in March. He was beaten 24 lengths by winner Brentford Hope, but kept on well.
The selection improved on that effort when beaten only six and a quarter lengths into fourth in a maiden hurdle over the same course and distance in April and he was in contention going to the last. It was only after the final flight that he lost two places to drop out of second place.
Ventara should have more to offer now that he is sent handicapping and a mark of just 89 could seriously underestimate his ability for the in-form Joe Tizzard stable that has saddled plenty of first-time-out winners in recent weeks.
Tizzard also has a good record at Chepstow.
The ground will be heavy at Catterick and that should suit HOUR BY HOUR, who comes into the 6f handicap (3.52) a fresh horse for the time of year and will appreciate dropping back in trip.
Hour By Hour has run only twice since May and shaped like he would improve for his first outing in 83 days when beaten four and three-quarter lengths into sixth at Ayr 19 days ago.
The selection took a keen hold that day and probably did too much too soon over a trip (7f) that stretches his stamina. There is every chance he can build on that run on his return to 6f.
Hour By Hour has dropped 2lb in the weights to a mark just 1lb higher than for his last success in a handicap and PJ McDonald has been booked to ride. McDonald has three winners, two seconds and four thirds from just 26 rides for the in-form Iain Jardine stable.
2.05 Chepstow - Blue Bikini @ 5/1
2.40 Chepstow - Ventara @ 7/1
3.52 Catterick - Hour By Hour @ 12/1
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
We use cookies to deliver a better and more personalised service. For more information, see our Cookie Policy