4:50 Redcar Tips

I will be backing Urban Road each way, but the top-weighted Nicator does a 440-mile round trip from Newmarket and definitely catches the eye. Three starts in 2025, with the last two at Southwell (runner-up on both occasions) on the all-weather, with the form working out extremely well. The winner of both those affairs has franked the form and is now rated 81 and 87, so a mark of 75 for Nicator on handicap debut stands out.

Consistent type at this distance, and I feel like this level of competition is quite a step down. Deserves a favourite's chance here.

Not Me could have a say here following a recent return run where he finished 5th over 1m, beaten 6¼L off 74. That effort should bring him on fitness-wise. He remains a maiden, which is an obvious concern, but there are clear signs of ability. On debut in 2023, he finished 4th over 1m behind King’s Gambit (now rated 111) and Boiling Point (now 114), which reads as strong form. His best effort to date came at Lingfield over 1m2f in a Class 4 handicap, where he finished 3rd, beaten just ¾L off 78. That run strongly suggests this step up in trip is ideal. While he lacks turf experience, his pedigree indicates that both the distance and good-to-firm ground should suit. With improvement likely from his reappearance and conditions in his favour, he has the potential to be competitive ??' though his maiden status means he does carry some risk.

Dawn of Liberation should strip fitter for his recent run at Wolverhampton, where he was well beaten but likely needed the outing after a break. His profile from last season suggests he has the ability to be competitive at this level. The standout performance came at York, where he won a Class 4 handicap over 1m 2½f on good to firm by 3 lengths off 71 in a 0??'80 ??' a solid effort. He also has wins at Nottingham and Beverley over similar trips, showing consistency around 1m 2f. There is a slight concern around his record at Redcar, where he hasn’t performed well in three previous visits. However, this race doesn’t look particularly strong, and he has conditions in his favour ??' the trip suits, the ground should be ideal, and he drops 2 lb to 72 while also easing in class. If able to bounce back from his reappearance and handle the track better this time, he has the profile to get involved.