RICK DOYLE'S ITV RACING TIPS
Rick Doyle gives us a handful of selections for today's ITV Racing from Kempton, Lingfield, Newcastle and Fairyhouse.
1:10 KEMPTON
LADBROKES "NEW HORSE RACING BET BUILDER" HANDICAP HURDLE
ROYAL INFANTRY - 15/2
A strong handicap hurdle to start the card and while the weight isn’t ideal, ROYAL INFANTRY still looks the one to beat. The Skelton runner drops slightly in class after mixing it in Class 2 company and shaped far better last time when less than five lengths behind Potters Charm in a big Windsor prize. He’s only 1lb higher, will be better suited by Kempton’s flat track, and his late run should be a real weapon here. Solid win chance and well worth an each-way look too.
2
1:25 LINGFIELD (AW)
MIDNITE HEVER SPRINT STAKES (LISTED RACE)
VALIANT FORCE - 7/4
He may not have beaten much last time, but VALIANT FORCE thrives in small all-weather fields and looks the one to side with again after scoring at Dundalk. He sits clear on the ratings, has five wins in fields of five or fewer, and clearly retains his spark. In-form, well suited by conditions, and hard to oppose in this setup.
4
1:45 KEMPTON
LADBROKES ADONIS JUVENILE HURDLE (GRADE 2) (GBB RACE)
PRECIOUS MAN - 5/6
PRECIOUS MAN and One Horse Town clash again in the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle and this time the weights swing firmly in favour of the Skelton runner, who is 5lb better off for their Cheltenham meeting. He took a big step forward when winning well at Kempton last time and looks primed for this. With his rival beaten on his last two starts, PRECIOUS MAN can reverse the form and take this.
2
2:00 LINGFIELD (AW)
MIDNITE WINTER DERBY STAKES (GROUP 3)
MILITARY ACADEMY - 20/1
MILITARY ACADEMY looks a lively outsider in this small-field Winter Derby and could be much better than his current mark suggests. He has mixed it with serious quality before, finishing close up to Group 1 winner Royal Champion last year and comfortably beating now 112-rated Persica. A solid second in the course and distance trial last month showed he’s in good order, and with strong form lines stacking up since, he looks overpriced to run a big race.
3
2:25 KEMPTON
LADBROKES PENDIL NOVICES' CHASE (GRADE 2) (GBB RACE)
JAX JUNIOR - 4/5
JAX JUNIOR 4/5 (14:25 Kempton) looks the one in the Pendil Novices’ Chase after comfortably beating Jeriko Du Reponet and Miami Magic over this course in November, showing he handles the track well. Lucy Wadham’s yard is back in form following a quiet spell and now operating strongly this month, and it’s a stable that consistently outperforms the market. With conditions to suit and confidence returning to the camp, JAX JUNIOR can strike again.
2
2:43 NEWCASTLE
VIRGIN BET DAILY EXTRA PLACES EIDER HANDICAP CHASE (GBB RACE)
LIVIN ON LUCO - 3/1
LIVIN ON LUCO looks the one to beat. He has progressed well over fences this season and is thriving over marathon trips, proving his stamina when landing the Southern National at Fontwell before finishing a strong fourth in the Welsh Grand National behind the talented Haiti Couleurs. Dropped 1lb and carrying a light weight again, he remains open to further improvement and this looks a slightly easier assignment, so he can take this.
6
3:00 KEMPTON
LADBROKES DOVECOTE NOVICES' HURDLE (GRADE 2) (GBB RACE)
KLUB DE REVE - 9/2
KLUB DE REVE looked a class act when scoring here on Boxing Day and the Harry Derham-trained six-year-old can go on again in this Grade 2 hurdle. He travelled strongly, quickened clear in style, and still looks open to plenty of improvement at this level. Around 9/2 looks fair value for a horse on a sharp upward curve.
1
3:15 FAIRYHOUSE
BAR 1 BETTING BOBBYJO CHASE (GRADE 3)
STELLAR STORY - 12/1
The Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase over 3m2f is an important Grand National pointer and STELLAR STORY could be worth a second look despite a tough mark. First-time blinkers may just sharpen him up and we know he has plenty of ability, having chased home Lecky Watson at Cheltenham and previously beaten Gold Cup contender The Jukebox Man in the Albert Bartlett. If the headgear sparks improvement, he can outrun his odds and get back competitive.
2
3:35 KEMPTON
LADBROKES TROPHY HANDICAP CHASE (PREMIER HANDICAP) (GBB RACE)
CHANCE ANOTHER ONE - 8/1
There’s serious prize money on offer and Emmet Mullins looks to have targeted this with CHANCE ANOTHER ONE. He lines up off 131 after a below-par run over an inadequate trip at Christmas, but this stamina test is far more his game. He beat Viroflay over 3m here in November before sharpening up over shorter, and the return to a proper staying trip should see him in a much better light. Donagh Myler takes the ride and the booking catches the eye. This looks like a plan coming together and CHANCE ANOTHER ONE can land the pot.
10