The flat racing season continues in the UK and in Ireland on Wednesday with as many as six meetings in the afternoon going into the evening. We are three days away from the first classics of the campaign but there is lots of betting to be done before then.
The highlight of the Wednesday action comes from Ascot but in terms of juicy races to get really stuck into it is three meetings elsewhere which catch our eye. After a decent weekend we’re going with three throughout the entirety of Wednesday.
2.50 Pontefract
Preview
Despite a relatively small field of 12, this is a pretty tough puzzle to solve with bookies going 5/1 the field. Snooze Lane has won 2 of his last 3 and was a very close up 3rd off 1lb lower last time out. All bar one of his career runs have come on the all weather so it remains to be seen whether he’s quite as good on turf. Isle Of Wolves and Ri Na Farraige are others that have been doing well on the all weather and similar to the favourite, could go close. Beryl Burton was 2nd on reappearance at Windsor but a 1lb higher mark coupled with the jockey booking (no 5lb claimer on top) might handicap her out of this.
Betting
Arch Moon – The selection is now a 6 year old and whilst he has a last time out disappointment to overcome, there’s reason to believe he can. He has a pretty good record fresh and has won after an absence, whilst he’s back on both his last winning mark and a joint career low mark. That last win, 6 starts ago, was also the last time he ran in this grade and he couldn’t have been more impressive in winning by fully 6 lengths at Haydock. He has not been disgraced off higher marks, having finished 3rd twice off 80 and 79 (off 72 today) and 4th off 75. He goes well for this jockey and with this stiff track in his favour, he appears to be a decent enough each way bet.
Tips
Back Arch Moon (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 12.00 Unibet BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
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7.50 Gowran Park
Preview
The first division of a mile handicap where a field of 16 head to post. Rock Etoile is top weight for Andrew Slattery after seeing off London Palladium 2 weeks ago over course & distance. A 5lb higher mark is a worry but his draw of 15 is still marginally better than the 16 berth he was given last time up. Nevada Brave ran a good race on his return to turf at Leopardstown finishing 3rd behind Bringsty. He’s off the same mark here but he was almost 4 lengths back and needs to find some improvement. Royal Tribute is a decent type but is probably better on the all weather.
Betting
Wonder Spirit – Drawn on the inside, I think the selection has a big chance here. He likes to be up with the pace so should get a good early sit and that’s often crucial at this track. Whilst he has yet to win on turf, his best run did come at this track back in 2021 when 3rd off a 4lb higher mark. That run was on deep ground which he will likely face here too. Since then, he’s raced exclusively at Dundalk with a single win off 51 but he does have placed form off marks of 60, 59 and 56. Today he runs off 56 and has the assistance of a top 5lb claimer and, that coupled with the fact he has form over further so should get home on the ground at this stiff track, gives him every chance of being involved.
Tips
Back Wonder Spirit (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 9.00 Boylesports BOG (⅕ odds 1-5)
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8.30 Kempton Park
Preview
A maximum field of 14 is expected for this Class 6 handicap over a mile where Damascus Finish, Purple Poppy and Ower Starlight could all go off favourite. The former won on the sand 3 starts off 2lbs lower and was 3rd on his next run off this mark, whilst Purple Poppy is a last time out but is now hit with a 5lb penalty. The latter named won over course and distance 2 starts ago and seems to like the track so is another that could go well.
Betting
Thrave – At a much bigger price, it’s hard to rule out the selection. He’s an 8 year old with a decent enough record on the all weather; a deeper look suggests he’s not really in love with Tapeta and has a preference for the Polytrack nowadays. In his last 7 runs on Tapeta (since October), his form reads 11 of 11, 11/12, 13/14, 10/14, 8/10, 9/11 and most recently, 5/8 where he showed improved form from a career low mark. In that time, he’s raced twice on the Polytrack, finishing 3rd of 10 off a mark of 64 at Chelmsford before winning here over a furlong shorter off 61. Today, he races off 4lbs lower and has a decent 3lb claimer aboard too so if he reproduces his last run here, he’s the most likely winner. It was good to see him run well last time up on what’s effectively his wrong surface whilst the trainer seems to be returning to something like normal, albeit that winner still eludes him. At the prices, he’s definitely the best bet here.
Tips
Back Thrave (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 12.00 William Hill BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
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