RACE PREVIEW & TIPS (WEDNESDAY)

17:25 Bath

Racecourse experience often counts for plenty at this time of year and Out Of Breath, Bartat and Spiritualist all have at least one appearance to their names. Of that trio, Out Of Breath has probably shown enough ability to land a race and from stall one, you suspect a big run is on the cards. Royal Ambition looks a likely enough type on paper, trainer Clive Cox has been amongst the winners of late and his two year olds have a fine recent record here. Amazon Princess is another likely looking newcomer, her yard are 7-14 with two year olds this season and market support would be a major positive. Silver Start deserves a mention given her yard have a good strike rate with similar types, however, given the yard and appeal on paper, it is Royal Ambition who is taken to make a winning start.

ROYAL AMBITION (WIN) – NAP

17:50 Pontefract

The final race of the day at Pontefract gives an opportunity for young up and coming jockeys as apprentice riders take centre stage. There’s a quartet of course and distance winners who are set to lineup and today’s selection comes from the four former venue victors.Trainer Les Eyre has his horses in decent form with a 20% strike rate with his runners over the past two weeks and despite the horses poor all-weather form over the winter Van Gerwen returns to the turf off a very attractive mark. This will be the horses 13th run here at the course and with four 2nds and two wins he clearly acts well at the course. Young jockey Jessica Colley already has 10 winning rides to her name and takes another 3lbs off the horses back. Ideally the horse would want softer ground but never the less a chance is taken on Van Gerwen to spring a surprise.Trainer Paul Midgley does well with his sprint handicappers, especially at northern courses, so despite his yards lack of recent winners his duo, Nibras Again and One Boy deserve a check in the market.Of the remainder Foxtrot Knight has blinkers fitted for the first time and if they can spark further improvement after his encouraging 4th placed effort here at Pontefract last time out he could well be in the thick of things.

VAN GERWEN (WIN) – NAP

The Cambridge News – PicksfromthePaddock.co.uk:

16:15 Bath – ROYAL AMBITION (WIN)

The Jersey Evening Post – Rory Paddock:

17:50 Pontefract – VAN GERWEN (WIN)

East Anglian Daily Times – Dean Kilbryde:

15:25 Ascot – VERDANA BLUE (WIN)

Norwich Evening News – Chris Connolly:

17:50 Pontefract – NIBRAS AGAIN (WIN)

Ipswich Star – Matt Polley:

17:35 Ascot – POETIC FORCE (WIN)