There is plenty of racing action on Tuesday, with jumps meetings from Fakenham, Lingfield, Fairyhouse and Hereford joined in the evening by a mammoth nine-race offering from Newcastle’s all-weather track.
Amongst our fancies is Strom Arising for Paul Nicholls, who was second to a subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner when last spotted in the Spring.
Selections
- Hereford 15:15 – Kestrel Valley @ 13/2
- Lingfield 15:00 – Storm Arising @ 10/3
- Newcastle 18:45 – Clear Angel @ 4/1
- Fairyhouse 15:07 – Jakie Mac @ 8/1
Tip 1
Though finishing last season 0-6 as a novice chaser, there were positive signs along the way for KESTREL VALLEY (13/2) and Matt Sheppard’s charge could make a winning reappearance in the Hereford Motor Group Handicap Chase (15:15) this afternoon.
His best effort last season came over three-miles on final start at Exeter on heavy ground in March when he finished second. He was up with the pace throughout and led for much of that journey before just getting worn down late.
He has won over this sort of trip as a hurdler and also won first time out in that sphere and this mar of 88 should be within his grasp under Richard Patrick here.
Tip 2
With the Paul Nicholls team in such imperious form of late, the returning STORM ARISING (10/3) is one to pay attention in Thorley Taverns Intermediate Handicap Chase (15:00) at Lingfield.
The Yeats gelding was last spotted at Huntingdon in March running the Venetia Williams-trained Chambard close, with that rival going on to land the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival soon after.
Storm Arising has undergone a wind operation since and his mark of 132 is 4lb lower than when previously tasting success over hurdles.
Tip 3
Heavy ground might not have been ideal for CLEAR ANGEL (4/1) on his return from a break recently at Redcar over 7f and so it’s plausible he did well in finishing second there.
Newcastle is his regular venue on the all-weather and he has a 6f win here alongside runner-up finishes at 7f/1m in 2022 already.
He returns here with his fitness aided after that turf outing a fortnight ago and races from an unchanged mark for Susan Corbett and 3lb claimer Harry Russell and he may be good enough to justify his position on the Most Napped table via the Betfred Betfinder for today’s racing.
Tip 4
His earlier form over hurdles wasn’t spectacular, but JAKIE MAC (8/1) ran his best race so far when second over this 2m4f trip at Listowel’s Harvest Festival in September on his return to action.
He closed on the leaders to challenge going to the third last flight and had a ding-dong battle with Penny Jar all the way to winning line, losing out in a photo finish.
Damian Murphy will be eager to see if his charge can build on that showing now and, if he does, he looks in a good spot to land a race of this nature.
