Sport

Mid-week Betting Tips: Steppe Daughter well-placed for success at Lingfield

Our tipster Karl Hedley provides the odds for this week's races...

WEDNESDAY

LINGFIELD

1-00 CORAL APP DOWNLOAD FROM THE APP STORE MAIDEN STAKES – 1 M 2 F

Steppe Daughter has finished in the money on her two previous visits to this track. She bumped into the useful Tabjeel here last time and is unfortunate not to have lost her maiden tag before now. Several of her better bred rivals now have serious questions to answer, but Denis Coakley’s charge can make the most of her previous course and distance form to get that illustrious first win on the board.

Ghany has been tried at a range of trips in recent weeks by William Haggas. Silvestre De Sousa replaces the injured Paul Hanagan in the saddle and he will be hoping that a return to ten furlongs will see his filly in a much better light. She has run well previously at Epsom and Wolverhampton and looks the biggest threat to the selection.

Jacqueline Jouliac was found wanting last time at Wolverhampton where she finished a length behind Ghany. John Gosden obviously feels that this step up in trip could unlock further improvement and she too has to be considered a threat. Steppe Daughter has been given a nice draw in stall one and she looks set for a big run.

KEMPTON

6-25 CASH OUT ON THE BETDAQ APP/EBF STALLIONS HYDE STAKES (LISTED) – 1 MILE

Sloane Avenue has won both of his starts on an artificial surface including when successful over this course and distance back in August. He was then sent to America to contest a Group three race on dirt but he never really featured. This return to Kempton shall be very much in his favour and he is reunited with Frankie Dettori has already partnered him to success in the past. The form of his last race around here has been franked subsequently by the likes of Billingsgate and Musaddas and if back to that same level of form he can have a big say in the outcome of this race.

Captain Cat brings the best form to the race and he fully deserves his place at the top of the handicap. He has made the frame in both of his previous visits to Kempton and his chances are obvious. It is worth bearing in mind that he has endured a long hard season and that tempers enthusiasm.

Prince’s Trust looks a useful sort for William Haggas and unlike Captain Cat he has enjoyed a relatively light campaign. There could be further improvement to come and too has a solid claim. Sloane Avenue is still only a three year old and he is clearly held in high regard by Jeremy Noseda. It will be a massive disappointment if he cannot return to his best form now that he is dropped in class.

THURSDAY

CHEPSTOW

3-20 RAF BENEVOLENT FUND AT CHEPSTOW HANDICAP CHASE – 2 M 3 F 110 YDS

Arctic Ben made a pleasing seasonal reappearance when beaten only two lengths at Uttoxeter a few weeks ago. That was his first run since April and he is entitled to have improved plenty for it. Despite now being ten years of age, he has won on all types of ground and once again renews his association with Jake Greenall. Two of his last three wins have come at this trip and the combination command respect despite the likelihood of having to concede weight all around.

Jackies Solitaire enjoys underfoot conditions and ran respectably on her first start this year. She was ultimately no match for Bob Ford over this course and distance a few weeks ago, but now that the cobwebs have cleared, she could well prove a far more formidable opponent.

Tolkeins Tango was unleashed at Exeter only last week by Victor Dartnall and he too was impressive when winning a similar event. Provided that this race has not come too quickly he too has a strong chance of following up. Arctic Ben is a seasoned professional compared to a few of these rivals and he may just prove a little too streetwise for them. He ought go well yet again.

FRIDAY

HAYDOCK

3-05 FIXED BRUSH NATIONAL HUNT NOVICES HURDLE – 2 M 4 F

Value At Risk looks set to make his British debut this afternoon having won twice in Ireland when trained by Philip Fenton. He notched up those wins in bumper races at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown and was considered good enough to contest the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival. He may well have needed the run back in March, but he certainly improved for it when managing to finish third at Punchestown in the Irish version. The form of that race has already been franked by the likes of Black Hercules who won as he liked on his hurdles debut at Cork last weekend.

Maximiser was a facile winner on his hurdling debut at Carlisle last month for Sheena West and Joe Colliver. He looks to have conditions in his favour once again and he looks a credible threat to the selection. His young rider can once again claim a valuable five pounds and the duo have to be high on any shortlist.

Philip Hobbs has his string in excellent form and he may send Alisier D’Irlande into battle for the first time. He won his only start back in France and could well be anything. Value At Risk had some smart form last season and being by Kayf Tara he ought to love the likely rain softened ground. He could prove to be quite smart this season and he can go close here.