Thursday 1st May 2025
3.25 Redcar: Racing TV Profits Returned To Racing Handicap: My first selection of the day and the month comes at Redcar and in the 3.25, which is a Class 6 handicap that’s contested over five furlongs. I like Match Play here for Paul Midgley and David Nolan. He returned to form last time out at Nottingham when finishing fourth and just a length and three-quarters behind the winner, and has been lowered a further two pounds following that effort. He’s now ten pounds below his last winning mark and has every chance of going close in this. Match Play – 7/2 (Win)
4.15 Punchestown: Conway Piling Handicap Hurdle: It’s over to Punchestown for my second selection and the 4.15, which is a Listed Handicap Hurdle that’s ridden over two miles and seven and a half furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Beckett Rock here at a big price for Henry De Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore. He’s likely got more improvement to come up in trip as he was a staying on sixth when last seen at Cheltenham in the Coral Cup behind Jimmy Du Seuil, and will contest this off a two-pound lower mark. The yard is in form, and I think he can go very well at a nice price. Beckett Rock – 14/1 (Each-Way) (6 places – Several firms)
4.25 Yarmouth: Winning Experience With Moulton Racing Handicap: My third selection comes within the 4.25 at Yarmouth and this is Class 4 handicap action over a mile. I think that this can go to Mr Swivell for Kevin Philippart De Foy and Ray Dawson. He was gelded over the winter and made a very encouraging start to life on his stable debut and seasonal reappearance at Chelmsford last month when finishing half of a length second sixteen. If he naturally comes on from that run, he should have a big say here off just a couple of pounds higher. Mr Swivell – 9/4 (Win) (NB)
6.00 Punchestown: Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle: My fourth and final selection of the day comes within the 6.00 at Punchestown, and this is the Grade 1 Champion Stayers Hurdle over two miles and seven and a half furlongs. I’m strong on the chances of Teahupoo here for Gordon Elliott and Sam Ewing. He cemented himself as the best stayer around when winning this race last year, and whilst he lost his Stayers Hurdle crown at Cheltenham this year to Bob Olinger, he still lost nothing in defeat with a fine run to finish second. This doesn’t look like a deep renewal of the race, and he should post a very bold bid. Teahupoo – 15/8 (Win) (NAP)
