Best bets for the horse racing Wednesday 20th February

It was a lovely sunny day at Triple G Towers Tuesday with the forecast looking good for the rest of the week; Spring is just around the corner all being well. 

The old saying goes make hay whilst the sun shines and that is what I plan to do on Wednesday as I have four that I fancy.

I’ll start up at Newcastle where they go on the Tapeta in the afternoon and Godolphin colt American Graffiti is due to run in the Ladbrokes Novice Stakes at 2.35 over 1m2f. Second on both starts to date, I mentioned him last time but didn’t back him as he was long odds-on and truth be told he was disappointing finishing second. That said his fast-finishing debut second at Chelmsford over this trip on debut is still in my mind and you would think there's more to come from him yet. He is short, very short, but just about worth giving a chance at the Evens early.

It’s the mile at 4.20 for the Follow Top Tipster Templegate At SunRacing handicap.  Rey Loopy loves it here and has been in fine form so far in 2019. He was clear of the rest with Executive Force when second last time over track and trip; the winner is now rated 89 having followed up in fine style at Chelmsford next time. That line of form would suggest the 5yo is likely ahead of his mark of 80 and he should be able to take advantage here at 3-1. The potential fly in the ointment is lightly raced Master Diver who won at Dundalk last time.

I am much nearer to home and Triple G Towers for the evening. They face two-miles for the Irish Lotto At totesport.com Handicap at 6.45. Ryan Moore rides Primero for David O’Meara and he has to be considered. Ideally, I’d like to get on after a furling or so to see how they set off as, if is likely, the small field means they don’t go off at breakneck speed stamina shouldn’t play too big a role, this is a big step-up in distance for the six-year-old. If he stays he should have too much class for this field and Moore is by far the best pilot in the race with the greatest of respect to the others. I have taken a chance the geldings lungs hold out and have the 13-8.

They line-up over the mile on the Polytrack at Chelmsford City for the Bet In Play totesport.com Handicap at 7.15. I tipped-up Matterhorn when he won on the 5th January over 1m2f at Lingfield but the step back down in trip here is not a concern; won over this track and trip as well as over the 8 furlongs at Lingfield and Southwell previously. He is on a career mark high of 99 but the lightly raced 4yo has done nothing but progress since his belated debut last October and is fancied to go in again. The draw is pretty much perfect breaking from stall 3 and though short enough at 11-8 with bpg I am happily on. Tough Remedy at the bottom of the weights might prove the danger.

Be lucky