FRIDAY RACING TIPS

15:45 Perth

Five go in this chase race at Perth. Guy has been a consistent horse in finishing 2nd in 5 of his last 8 races but that clearly shows he is a difficult horse to get his head in front or that he simply finds one to good. Hard to be entirely confident on him today.

Smoking Gun was a first fence faller in the Irish national and that would be a concern racing 4 days later from that. Also all his best form seems to be over 3 miles the fact this trip is shorter than that would be a concern.

Marown was a horse I was looking forward to seeing over fences this season thought he would win a few races. But it just quite hasn't happened. Would be daft to dismiss. Amalfi Doug is a course and distance winner and has won at Perth 7 times. So is somewhat of a specialist around here. He is around a huge price of 25/1 at time of writing. Perhaps the 12 year old could have one last big day in him.

Selection I have to go with though seems a safe option is the other course and distance winner Minella Trump. Who is unbeaten at Perth 4 wins in 4. Has not been seen since December but I'm not too concerned about that as he has had a similar length of break just under 100 days and won. So perhaps the break will freshen up. Will like the good ground and another dry night will only make the ground faster.

Very consistent this season Minella Trump and Donald McCain has plotted the races well for Minella Trump and will be hoping he ends the season with a win

MINELLA TRUMP (WIN)

18:20 Chepstow

It's difficult to make a case for Financier who hasn't really shown anything this season and judging by his previous form Good ground isn't ideal.

Commis D'Office hasn't shown much this season and needs the blinkers to have a significant effect to get involved neither has he won a class 3 race. Dublin Four last 3 runs have been patchy to say the least before that he won at Newbury. So isn't without hope although his best form seems to be at Newbury.

Seems a shootout between the front 2 at the market Pink Eyed Pedro is a course and distance winner around Chepstow which would give connections hope. Ran well over Aintree in the Topham chase over the national fences. Though that was only 14 days ago and you have to question whether the quick turn around is a long enough break in a season where he already ran 9 times this season.

Chance is taken with the Colin Tizzard L'Air Du Vent. This would be one of Colins last horse as a trainer under his name on UK soil and he would love to sign off with a win. L'Air Du Vent ran much better in his run at Stratford after a break and hopefully will have put him in good stead for this race. L' Air Du Vent has won on good ground before so won't have any worries there. L'Air Du Vent was seen as a horse with promise and it just hasn't quite worked out for him.

There has been a bit of market support for him last night which may suggest a good run is expected. Is well handicapped here compared to a few others in the race. Which maybe crucial and the booking of Harry Cobden is a plus in my eyes as well.

L'AIR DU VENT (WIN)

written by Luke Tucker