Best bets for the horse racing Wednesday 24th April 2019

After a quiet couple of days with no bets over the weekend, following a great day with three winners from six at Lingfield for the AWC Finals on Good Friday, it’s all hands to the pumps again. We’ve not had the Guineas yet but already we are looking ahead to the Derby with the first of the trails at Epsom on Wednesday – it is frantic stuff at the start of the Turf season!

The 1m2f Listed Investec Blue Riband Trial at 2.45 is the main event on Wednesday with the winner receiving a wildcard entry into the Investec Derby if not already entered; the two that are entered already are Aidan O’Brien’s Cape Of Good Hope and Roger Varian’s Mackaar. Royal Ascot winner Arthur Kitt is one of seven looking to book their place in the Derby. The Tom Dascombe trained colt won the Chesham Stakes last year before chasing home Too Darn Hot in the Solario. He disappointed somewhat in the Royal Lodge Stakes before signing off his 2yo campaign placing fourth in the Breeders Cup Juvenile. Turgenev did not look up to this class at this distance at Newbury the other day, though that was on soft and the run will at least of blown away any cobwebs. Cape Of Good Hope was third in the aforementioned Royal Lodge Stakes and has some solid looking form in defeat at two. He wouldn’t be the best three-year-old housed at Ballydoyle but his performances in a couple of Group 2’s at Newmarket last season make him the one to beat. Breeding suggests he should be one to mature and be better for the step-up in trip plus the stable is in fine form. He looks solid to me and I have the 7-4 that was about early Tuesday afternoon with Hills bpg.

It is not every day that you see one leave the ownership of Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Mrs John Magnier at Ballydoyle and go to Godolphin and the yard of Charlie Appleby but that is the journey made by Lucius Tiberious at a cost of 320,000 Guineas reportedly. The 4yo was fourth on stable debut in the G.2 Prix d'Harcourt behind Triple G favourite Ghaiyyath (my each-way ante-post long distance Arc punt). The gelding clearly has some talent and as he hasn’t been purchased for breeding purposes obviously, it must be assumed Godolphin hope to pick up a prize or two with him. The 1m2f  Investec City And Suburban Handicap at 3.55 is a fairly big drop into calmer waters from those at Longchamp and at 7-1 he is worth a punt.

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