The Punting Pointers duo are back to mark your card for Thursday's racing.
Racing Betting Tips: Thursday January 2
0.5pts e.w. Tillaway in 12.25 Huntingdon at 66/1 (General 1/5 1,2,3) - min 40/1
1pt e.w. Jimmy Knocker in 3.22 Newcastle at 6/1 (General 1/5 1,2,3) - min 5/1
12.25 Huntingdon
It's rare we write one up in a novice hurdle and this one does come with the caveat that it's her third run so she's probably looking for the mark (and will definitely want further in time) but TILLAWAY's form to date does not entitle her to be a 66/1 shot here and she should be running through the beaten ones late. Hopefully for a place, or better.
It's been small steps forward with her this season but she travelled up well at Southwell last time to hold a small chance in the straight before getting outpaced. Second home Crazierthandaisy was a winner at Warwick earlier in the week, and it looked a decent contest for the track.
We'll chance a small bet three places (Sky Bet go four places if you are able to access the price), but she's one to have on the radar whatever happens today.
2.27 Newcastle
There is some poor racing at Newcastle on Thursday, but big fields should mean well-run races and class ought to tell, relatively speaking.
There are only two previous course winners in this 0-50 contest, but Oscar Doodle has beaten just one rival in three starts for Olly Williams and Visitant has just turned 12.
Busby isn’t a lot younger, but was placed on his first three starts last year at this track and proved his stamina for 1½m when making all in a first-time visor at Southwell on his latest start. He remains well weighted on 2023 form and he should go well, but the one word of warning is that this track is less favourable to front runners than Southwell, should he try a repeat of such tactics.
Angelica Catalani appeals as one who could go well at bigger odds having run on from an unpromising position at Southwell last time after a break.
There was a time when backing David Barron’s horses blind in January was guaranteed to pay for the winter heating bill, and while that’s not quite the case now, the four-year-old filly is less exposed and fresher than most she meets here.
3.32 Newcastle
Tomorrow Day has obvious claims arriving here after a string of creditable efforts, but he can race freely in front, and I hope he can set this race up for the unexposed JIMMY KNOCKER, who took my eye at Southwell last time when making a big move from off the pace in the race won by Rebel Empire over C&D.
He started slowly that day, still appearing a bit rough around the edges on handicap debut, but held a chance at the furlong pole before the lack of a recent run saw him flatten out in the last 100 yards.
Jimmy Knocker is a half-brother to prolific stablemate Mr Fustic and while Andi Brown is not a household name, largely due to training a small string of cheaply acquired horses, his horses have a decent strike-rate with his all-time record on Tapeta reading 11 wins from 58 runners.
Dylan Hogan has been on board for all of Mr Fustic’s wins so it’s encouraging to see him get the leg up on Jimmy Knocker who drops slightly in class having been kindly dropped the necessary 2lb to sneak into this 0-62 contest.
4.40 Newcastle
Jack Morland hasn’t been training long but he’s quickly made an impact with four wins from 13 runners to date, and his Angel of Antrim has improved with both starts in recent weeks and is now looking to complete a C&D hat-trick.
Carrying a 5lb penalty for winning by 4¾ lengths from Windsor Pass last time, the son of Dark Angel still appears to be ahead of the handicapper and should gain his young handler more positive headlines.
Before setting up on his own, Morland was assistant to Ed Dunlop, and that yard’s horses took my eye as being more professionally placed in recent times than had been the case.
It would be no surprise to hear that Morland was involved in that process and he appears a trainer to follow.
Preview posted 0930 GMT on 02/01/25
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