RACE PREVIEWS & TIPS (TUESDAY)

Ayr 14:55 There is a lot to like about the early favourite Nortonthorpelegend who arrives here looking for a four-timer, has won on only previous visit to Ayr and on only previous attempt over todays trip. He proved he handles testing conditions when returning a seven length winner last time out (with the third a further forty lengths behind) and has jumped fantastically throughout his last few races. However, as a result of his successes he has gone up a total of 22lbs and in Kilbree Chief he meets a previous course and distance winner who takes a drop in class for todays race and is effectively 4lbs below his last winning mark if taking in to account jockey Blair Campbell’s 7lbs claim. Trainer Lucinda Russell has had a couple of winners over the weekend so is starting to show a bit of form and at the early odds her runner looks to provide a bit of value against the hot favourite. The remaining threat looks to come from Bonzo Bing who, although is yet to win in ten attempts over fences, got to within four lengths of Nortonthorpelegend when last seen in November and is much better off at the weights for todays race. KILBREE CHIEF (E/W if 9/2+)

Kempton 15:40 Just the six runners are scheduled to go to post for this Class 2 handicap, with no fewer than four arriving on the back of wins last time out. As the only course and distance winner in the field and arriving on the back of a well fought victory last time out, beating two subsequent winners in the process, its quite surprising to see Ralph Beckett’s three year old at such big odds. Today sees a step up in class but he’s respected nontheless. Visionary won over the minimum trip when partnered with jockey Luke Morris last time out but was well on top at the line despite the winning distance being less than a length. Based on this run and the fact that he won over five and a half furlongs on turf last summer he should be capable of making his presence felt over todays’ six furlong trip. Tomily was last seen placing in a listed contest at Doncaster in October and also placed on only previous run at Kempton so is another worthy of respect, although has a three month break and an 8lbs hike in the weights to contend with so i’m opting for Second Thought who is William Haggas’ only runner on todays card. It was hard not to be impressed with the way he eased his way to the front when winning a maiden over todays trip at Wolves last month, putting the race to bed in a matter of strides and being heavily eased towards the line yet still winning by almost two lengths. Todays race will be a much sterner test given the opposition but on the evidence of his maiden he looked to be a class horse in the making and should be capable of taking this before moving on to bigger and better races. SECOND THOUGHT (WIN) – NAP

Written by Dean Kilbryde

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Daily NAP’s:

Karl Hedley – Headley’s Bridge (E/W) 14:40 Exeter