Pieros Horse Racing Tips

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Beckett Rock outran his big odds in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, staying on strongly in the closing stages to finish 6th of 26, beating home several more fancied rivals. A very lightly raced individual, he won on debut at Gowran Park, followed up with another success at Clonmel, and then improved again when stepped up in trip at Fairyhouse, finishing a creditable second under top weight, all right-handed tracks like Punchestown. His Coral Cup effort was a career best, and he’s been dropped 2lb since, which could prove lenient. The yard is in good form, and Rachael Blackmore takes over the ride. This is clearly a hot handicap, but Beckett Rock has shown he enjoys the hustle of a big-field race and at 18/1, with bookies paying six places, he looks well worth a small each-way play.

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Jeriko Du Reponet ran a rather strange race at Exeter and qualified for this Pertemps Final on a workable mark of 135. He was an exciting prospect last season, winning three out of four novice hurdles before losing his unbeaten record in the Supreme at this festival. Clearly highly regarded, he was sent off as odds-on favourite for all three wins, including a Grade 2 at Doncaster. However, he was pulled up here at Cheltenham when the Henderson stable was under a cloud. His chasing career didn’t work out, and he was sent back over hurdles, producing an ordinary effort in a Grade 3 at Newbury, finishing a 10-lengths 5th of 13. The decision to step him up in distance, having stayed on well in the closing stages of that Newbury race, brought some improvement. He went close at the festival bumping into an underestimated Doddiethegreat who was allowed to make a decisive move entering the straight. Despite a 4lb penalty, he looks still the classy individual in this contest and should go well again at around 17/2.

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I’m not particularly taken by the horses at the head of the market, so I’ll have a small each-way bet on Jetara at around 9/1. She has plenty to find on official ratings with the principals, but she ran a stormer when last seen at Aintree at a similar level, just fading into third in the closing stages, yet clearly staying the 3-mile trip well on spring ground. A smart mare, she landed both a Grade 3 and a Listed contest early last season around 2m4f, and has held her own consistently at Grade 1 level since, including against the geldings. Most notably, she was second to the red-hot Ballyburn here at Punchestown. She also has a Flat win to her name, a maiden victory at The Curragh, beating rivals now rated in the mid-80s. Since the application of new headgear, she’s shown improved form, settling better in her races. Once again, she's the only mare in the field, but receives a generous age allowance and represents a yard that has enjoyed plenty of success in these colours, notably with Jetson, who won this in 2014, and Jezki, who followed up the next year for JP McManus.

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There wasn’t much between today’s favourite and Jumby when they met last August here at Newmarket, and this time the latter is 5lb better off at the weights. Eve Johnson Houghton’s 7-year-old has been a consistent performer in competitive handicaps and should come on for his seasonal reappearance 16 days ago. He was slowly away that day, made stylish headway, but understandably tired late on. His regular partner William Buick keeps the ride and that continuity could prove valuable. At around 11/1, he looks a fair each-way shout for a place and is worth a small interest.

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At extreme odds, it feels rude not to have a small each-way bet on Belloccio at around 25/1. He may have something to find on official ratings, but he has looked progressive over hurdles and brings solid staying credentials from the Flat, including a win over a long trip at Royal Ascot, where he is now rated 105. A dual-purpose performer for Willie Mullins, he finished like a rocket last time out to snatch third in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse, suggesting there is more to come. Already a course winner here at Punchestown, he stayed on strongly that day, and the booking of Rachael Blackmore adds further appeal. With the drying ground in his favour, he could easily outrun his odds.

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For the first time in my life, I’ll side with Constitution Hill, who will likely enjoy the smaller field. I’ve felt for him this season, losing his unbeaten record after returning from a serious injury and then taking heavy falls at both Cheltenham and Aintree. That last ride by Nico de Boinville was especially frustrating. He got caught in a pocket on the rail, was closed down, and had to slam on the brakes before switching wide. That move cost him ground and momentum, ultimately leading to the mistake. I believe he’s been ready to bounce back for some time, and with a more conventional ride, he should get the well-deserved success he’s been chasing.