Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Musselburgh, Haydock and Wolverhampton on Saturday. View selections below.
WILD WAVES (3.35) can continue the Andrew Balding-Oisin Murphy hot streak by bagging the 1m 6f Virgin Bet Queen’s Cup at Musselburgh.
The gelding enjoyed a productive three-year-old campaign last season, winning at Kempton and Doncaster, and backed that up by running an honourable fourth in the Melrose Handicap at York’s Ebor fixture.
Wild Waves was then outclassed, but not disgraced, in the St Leger and with further progression on the cards he can defy a lofty 100 handicap rating.
Align The Stars, a three-time winner last season, will strip sharper for his close-up third to classy Al Qareem at Nottingham ten days ago and rates a big threat.
Wise Eagle scooped this big pot two season ago and arrives here on the back of a second place behind Bashful in a hot Kelso handicap in February.
Almeric receives little respite from the handicapper but cannot be ignored off top weight. A repeat of his close second to Godolphin’s King Of Conquest at Newmarket last June puts him in the picture.
With 14 runners declared, most firms are offering four places to each-way backers.
The 7f Virgin Bet Handicap has attracted ten runners and top weight ALZAHIR (2.25) justified favouritism when accounting for 12 rivals at Thirsk last Saturday.
The son of Sea The Stars comes here in rude good health and is taken to defy a 7lb rise.
Gweedore, a five-time course winner, chased home Our Havana here last Sunday and may confirm form with third-placed Dain Ma Nut In.
William Haggas landed a treble at Newmarket on Thursday and sends Waleefy north with sound prospects. His colt landed handicaps at Newmarket and Doncaster last summer before finishing third to Lord Bertie at Ascot in September.
Over the sticks at Haydock, front-runner BURROWS HALL (2.40) will take some catching in the three-mile handicap hurdle.
Sue Smith’s gelding never saw another rival at Doncaster last month when scoring for the third successive time this season and should handle a 5lb rise.
Tiny Tetley was racking up his third win of the campaign when powering home by 11 lengths at Taunton ten days ago and is preferred to stable companion High Game Royal.
Dan Skelton’s horses cannot be ignored as he battles it out with Willie Mullins for the trainers’ crown and he saddles Warwick winner Land Genie.
Thank You Ma’am ran third in a qualifier for this series final at Ascot in February and went on the land the odds the following month at Doncaster.
Earlier on the card GIVEMEFIVE (2.05) can supplement his recent seven lengths Newcastle triumph by defying top weight in the two-mile handicap hurdle.
Harry Derham’s five-year-old made all the running on Tyneside and can have the legs of Taunton winner Luttrell Lad, Fergal O’Brien’s dual purpose challenger Oslo and Fakenham specialist Bluegrass.
ENZOS ANGEL (5.20) can give Millie Wonnacott a good spin in the opening apprentices’ handicap at Wolverhampton.
The grey goes well here, running out a comfortable winner over a slightly longer trip in late January, and Wonnacott was on board when losing out narrowly to market leader Marioento on a return trip to Dunstall Park the following month.
Billy McGarry, twice successful at Southwell in recent weeks, should make a bold bid to rattle off a hat-trick under top weight.
With 12 runners declared, four places ew are available to bet365 and Betfred punters.
Tally Ho
Alan
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NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
