Sport

Weekend Betting Tips: Professor lining up class performance

Our tipster Karl Hedley tells you where to put your money this weekend

SATURDAY

LEICESTER

2-00 4 MILLION TOTESCOOP6 TODAY HANDICAP – 7 F 9 YDS

Dark Leopard went close to losing his maiden tag on the polytrack at Lingfield last month. That run should have brought him on in leaps and bounds and he is expected to improve upon it.

Roger Charlton does well with his horses that are owned by Lady Rothschild and it only looks a matter of when and not if for this son of Dubawi.

Mustajid did not appear to appreciate the step up to a mile on his latest run following on from his debut success at Wolverhampton back in February. A return to seven furlongs should see him in a better light as should the first time blinkers that are applied this afternoon. Argot showed he was no back number when winning his only start to date.

That came at Nottingham last October and he will only improve. Richard Hughes takes over in the saddle in place of James Doyle and given his personal strike rate at this track that is an added bonus and the duo command respect.

3-40 KING RICHARD III STAKES – 7 FURLONGS 9 YDS

Professor can make the most of a drop in class to give the Hannon and Hughes combination back to back wins in this particular race. Professor goes well fresh and has shown his best form on a good to firm surface in the past, so there should be no excuses this afternoon. He was placed at a higher level than this in his two most recent starts and he should go very well.

Eton Forever has been around for what seems like an eternity. He is still relatively lightly raced for being a seven year old and although he has been off the track for almost a year, he is another that can go well at the first time of asking.

Roger Varian will have him fully primed for a big run and he has to be considered the most likely danger. Breton Rock won a conditions race at Thirsk on his seasonal reappearance but he has a lot more on his plate this afternoon against far tougher opposition. His chances would increase with any rain that falls, but this may prove a step too far.

Professor is open to any amount of improvement this season and with the yard in fine form, he looks likely to be right in the mix.

SANDOWN

3-50 BET365 GOLD CUP CHASE (GRADE 3 HANDICAP) – 3 M 5 F 110YDS

Spring Heeled was a high profile winner at the Cheltenham Festival for Jim Culloty earlier in the year and as he is extremely lightly raced this season it is possible that he could yet have further improvement to come. The booking of Davy Russell looks highly significant and he is at least proven on a decent surface that looks likely to be on offer this afternoon.

Same Difference was a good second in this race last season for the Twiston-Davies team. He has it all to do to reverse recent Cheltenham form with the selection and needs to find almost twenty lengths. He does have a decent pull at the weights, but that may not be enough.

Godsmejudge is another that has been campaigned sparingly this year. His most recent effort came a fortnight ago when he was second in the Scottish Grand National. Alan King seems to have turned a corner following a disastrous year by his standards and the eight year old merits a serious threat.

Poungach and Bury Parade represent Paul Nicholls but both have their quirks and cannot be trusted entirely. Hadrians Approach disappointed in this race last season and it may be that this track doesn’t suit him. Spring Heeled seems to have been targeted at this race rather that run at Punchestown next week and that decision has to be respected.

5-30 BET365 HANDICAP HURDLE – 2 M 4 F

Dunraven Storm has come back from injury to show what he is truly capable of this season. He has won two of his last three starts and he has clearly been rejuvenated by Philip Hobbs.

Richard Johnson has been on board for five of his six career wins to date and it is of note that he is once again on board this afternoon. He can confirm recent form with Phantom Prince who has yet to conclusively prove that he stays this far.

Cash And Go has to be a threat given his latest effort at Aintree. That was his best run in quite some time and he was only beaten around a length. He is still without a win in the UK since joining the powerful Henderson stable and he commands respect with Tom Scudamore booked to ride. Kaylif Aramis has been in good form all year, but he tends to need a slightly longer trip to be seen at his best.

Lunique always runs her heart out but will do well to beat her male couterparts whilst trying to give weight away to most of them. Dunraven Storm can maintain the excellent form of the Hobbs stable and go very close here.