Shirleyswonderracing Horse Racing Tips

It's hard to enthuse over tomorrow's racing with what's coming in Gloucestershire, but hopefully BOOK OF LIFE can give us some additional readies. The Morris runner was chinned last Friday by the favourite here, but he raced keenly in the early stages that afternoon, and he's better drawn than Pessoa. He was beaten just a neck. Before the system crashed I see RK rides again. If Ryan Kavanagh can settle him better, conserve his energy, and curb his keenness, he meets the favourite on one pound better terms. Shop around ??' marginally better out there in a place. I envisaged the selection being nearer 6/4. The market feel is wrong. He's quirky but has been holding his form well in general, more so than the favourite. The remainder have 4/5 pounds to find.

Judging by price, Oscar Nominee caused a surprise over course and distance early in the month. He beat Tango by a length, but the form can be marked up considerably. He not only ran quite green but overcame a significant pace bias. I envisaged him being much shorter than 7/4 with Oisin Murphy booked. I can only see his odds shortening tomorrow.

Superbly bred Kingman colt who won his maiden over course and distance a fortnight ago. Beat one with experience. Rated highly by George Boughey. Holds an entry in the 2000 Guineas. Should blow these rivals away. He's odds-on, but I envisaged seeing 1/5. He's marginally bigger in the odds, so shop around.

Top weight would be very interesting if forward enough for debut, judged on York win last season. But Beaming Light gets weight all round, and he should be respected for this assignment after two runs. Just beaten by the progressive Mr Nugget last month, and that one ran again last week. William Pyle takes off three pounds.

This will be run at a fantastic gallop and the inform THECOFFEEPIDDOTCO from a decent draw in one can benefit. He's in superb form 231314 show. Ignore Chelmsfurd fourth last week as the race pace was not run to suit. Difficult to see out the frame

Crimson Rambler has been holding his form well, having been runner-up three times before stepping up in trip at Chelmsford last week. If there's no bounce factor, he can win this if not coming too soon against very exposed, out-of-sorts opposition. This looks a decent bet for placing.

I'm really hoping TALK THE TALK goes for this and not the Turners on Wednesday. But for an unfortunate fall at Leopardstown on December 27th he'd be unbeaten. Given a quiet ride in the Grade 1 Tattersall Stakes last month, staying on superbly and taking the wide route, this hill will certainly play to his strengths. His overall form has more substance than Old Park Star, who was visually impressive but what's he beaten? I feel the principal danger could be Mighty Park, but he's only had two starts and could be anything. JP is 75 today, so expect a bold showing from all his runners. I'd be amazed if 5/1 is still around come the opening roar.

Willie has made no bones about how highly he rates this Walk In The Park gelding. Owned by JP would be a huge roar from the Irish if he goes in for birthday boy. I'm putting him up as I feel he's worth betting on now, as he'll be considerably shorter come race time. Mullins has been quite bullish about his chances. He's a bit like OPS in terms of what he's beaten when winning at Fairyhouse in January, but he travelled beautifully. If he were to lead these, he could have a few off the bridle early doors and would set it up nicely for a fast-finishing Talk The Talk. He's double the price of OPS. I'd be very surprised if he's anywhere near 7/2??'4/1 come Tuesday. This is deep company only second professional start but the vibes from Mullins and Walsh are upbeat he's the one I fear if Talk The Talk were not to win

I'm on Kopek at 6/1 ante-post each way. The absence of a run since November is my only concern, as he's only jumped one fence and lacks the experience of Lalumba, who's a multiple winner in top company. If anyone beats him it'll either be Street Ally or battle-hardened multiple winner Lalumba. He's impressed all season. In some ways none more so than when winning at Newbury Point; in that race he wasn't travelling like a 4/11 shot. In a matter of strides he picked up the bridle and was impressive. I think his chasing experience might just find Kopek out. I'd be surprised if he's not favourite at the off. He can atone for a luckless Triumph defeat last year.

I've an interest in Mambo at 33s and Steel Ally same price ante-post, so we're sitting pretty especially as race has cut up. But at 14/1 tempted to go in again as Steel Ally firstly won't go off anywhere near this price, and although he'll need to step up again, if the front two were to underperform he could pick up the pieces. Decent hurdler, he's proved to be a better chaser, winning all three starts. This is deeper than the Grade 2s he's won; however, I feel only seven runners and a small field will suit. The win in The Howden in December would give him a huge shout in this

Saratoga has not been missed in the Fred Winter. Placed in three runs to date since December over trips that would have been inadequate, this should be more suitable. This has obviously been the seasonal aim, and I envisaged he'd be shorter than 7/1 ??' certainly veered shorter come the off. Trip, ground, and a truly run race will suit him. Hoping Mark Walsh will get cover for him in the early stages and he'll be coming up the hill fast and late. With six places up for grabs, I cannot see him out of the frame.

Lets face it this is a minefield. However I think this has been the plan all season for QUEBECOIS Although turned over at 2/5 on his last run, I feel that race was about getting him qualified for this. Stewards queried the poor showing that day compared to Whisker; he was beaten on trials day here and we were told he'd benefit from a step up in trip. The fact Paul Nicholls feels he's a proper horse, and that one of the part owners sponsors the race looks like he's being primed for a huge run. The clues are there. At 12/1 there's a bit more value with six places up for grabs. Forecast ground and a strongly run race will suit. I can certainly see money coming for this one on a huge day for the Ditcheat yard.

This race has rather fallen apart with notable absentees. If there were to be a shock it could be Tutti, but on all known form judged on last season's Champion Hurdle, Lossie and Days won't win. THE NEW LION. Barring a fall in the Fighting Fifth where he inexplicably nearly ran out and wandered prior to falling, he has won every race he's contested. I don't think he's being given the credit for what he's achieved. If he were trained by Willie he'd be odds-on. Dan Skelton has been bullish in his opinion of the horse and his expectations for this race. To my mind, I'm not sure we've seen the best of him and he's most definitely not reached his ceiling. Judged on last season, I'm not sure how Lossie and Days can win; neither won last season's CH even with fallers in the contest, yet both are the same price. I think odds of near 3/1 are all wrong. Unless, heaven forbid, he falls, he will win.

Madara: I feel he has been aimed at this all season. His two runs thus far, I feel, have been run with a view to protecting his handicap mark for this. I snagged double-figure odds ante-post. He's no value now, but I feel he's several pounds ahead of his mark of 140. Expect to see him raced differently to his last two runs.

If you haven't found a winner by the Lucky Last, I'd advise you to keep your powder dry for Wednesday. I initially had two for this race; the other is a non-runner, leaving HOLLOWAY QUEEN. Decent hurdler, she was always going to be a better chaser. Fair to say things haven't gone smoothly in this sphere this season, with more letters than figures to her name. She looked a different horse at Newbury last time, sauntering to victory. This race looks tailor-made for her. She is one I expect to see serious money for when the tapes go up. Sure to have the race run to suit and, with five places up for grabs, she's a decent price at 16/1 for an each-way bet in a wide-open contest to end day one of the festival.