2025 Grand National Ante-Post Tip

Last year we managed to nail the winner of the Aintree Grand National I Am Maximus ante-post at 25/1. It was the first time I managed to find the winner since One For Arthur in 2017 so it was quite a long time between drinks. I Am Maximus has an obvious chance of following up but it won’t be easy off a much higher mark than last year and I am going to take him on with Beauport.

We backed this horse last year for the Midlands National at 16/1 and he absolutely hosed up. That win came off 140 and he pulled up off his revised mark of 145 in the Scottish National on his next start but that run may have come too soon. Nigel Twiston-Davies left him off for his summer break after that run and he returned to action with a bang in the Berkshire National at Ascot (29.5f, good) in November.

Running off 144, he jumped like a buck, bar an iffy leap at the last, and he absolutely dotted up by over 30 lengths. It was a seriously impressive performance and connections immediately nominated Aintree as the ultimate aim after the race.

To keep him ticking over, Twiston-Davies decided to give him a spin in the Long Walk Hurdle back at Ascot in December. He ran a blinding race again to finish third, just 1.5l behind Crambo and with the likes of The Wallpark and Kateira a couple of lengths behind him.

That run came on good to soft, it was good when he won there in November and it was heavy when he won at Uttoxeter so it seems all ground comes alike to him, a big plus when backing a horse ante-post for any race.

I Am Maximus was an exception last year but usually, I like backing horses that race prominently in the Grand National as it means they are less likely to encounter trouble in running. Beauport ticks that box, he has won over 4m2f so his stamina is assured and if he doesn’t run between now and the race that will be another positive given his solid record when fresh. I think he should be half his current odds of 33/1, so back Beauport e/w for the 2025 Grand National.

2025 Grand National Ante-Post Tip: Beauport e/w @ 33/1 (5 places)

-DaveStevos

2025 DRF Leopardstown E/W Lucky 15

First off all, a recap on our three runners at Naas on Sunday. American Money jumped very well, the trip may just have been a furlong too far for him. He should be up to winning a chase at some point. Good Land was given a pretty tender ride but he wasn’t far off a place and he could be well treated if he heads handicapping. Answering was ridden from the front and didn’t get home.

A bad day at the office but there’s plenty of opportunities for redemption this weekend. I have found four horses for a 2025 DRF Leopardstown E/W lucky 15 (e/w singles also recommended), find out who I am backing below.

Juvenile Hurdle – Saturday @ 1.50pm (Grade 1)

The one that stands out at a decent price in this Juvenile Grade 1 is the Joseph O’Brien trained Galileo Dame. This daughter of Galileo Gold was a classy operator on the flat. A winner of a 10f maiden here on her second start (her first as a 3yo), she progressed well through the season and on her last two starts on the level in 2024 she got to within 4l of the 104 rated Caught U Looking and within 3l of the top class stayer Hamish, in 12f Listed races at Naas and the Curragh.

She ended up with a flat rating of 96 and she started out over hurdles in a maiden here over Christmas. Wendrock beat her by 2l but given her lack of experience in this sphere, it was a more than pleasing debut effort. I can see her getting much closer to that rival here, and it would be no surprise were she to turn the form around.

The likes of Sainte Lucie, Hello Neighbour and Lady Vega Allen have achieved more over hurdles but Galileo Dame should have lots of improvement to come given the level of ability she showed on the level and hopefully she can get into the money at odds of 16/1.

2025 Dublin Racing Festival Tip: Galileo Dame e/w @ 16/1

Mares’ Handicap Hurdle – Sunday @ 12.40 (Listed)

It would be fair to say that things haven’t really gone to plan for Brucio since she won this race easily off 116 last year. However, this will be the first time she will be running over the same trip on soft ground since and it wouldn’t be the biggest of surprises were she to bounce back to form here.

She has had two runs this season. At Down Royal in November (17f, good to yielding) she was beaten out of sight but she ran a better race on her latest start at Doncaster over 2m on good to soft 50 days ago, beaten 13.5l into fifth of 8 behind Jungle Jack.

Steven Crawford’s daughter of Authorized was hiked up 16lb to 132 for her 6l win in this last year but she has slipped back down to a mark of 124 now. If Crawford decides to use a 7lb claimer, she’ll effectively be running off 117, just a pound higher than she was for her win last season. Hopefully, a repeat bid in this contest has been the long term plan and if it has, she can outrun her generous looking odds of 25/1.

2025 Dublin Racing Festival Tip: Brucio e/w @ 25/1

Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle – Sunday @ 1.40 (Grade 1)

In the hope that they go a proper end to end gallop, Good And Clever gets the nod in this 2m Grade 1. The English raider landed a nice place for us at Aintree on his first go in Grade 1 company on just his second start over hurdles and while he was 7l behind the winner Potters Charm, he was ridden to come home late and pick up the pieces. I think they might ride him a bit closer to the pace here, now that they know he is capable of mixing it at this level.

The two market leaders, Kopek Des Bordes and Kaid D’Authie, are taking a big step up in grade here. Bleu De Vassy has won a Grade 3 and been placed behind Romeo Coolio in a Grade 1, both at this venue, and you could argue that he is overpriced too.

However, so is Good And Clever and his trainer Warren Greatrex won at this meeting with La Bague Au Roi in 2019, maybe he can repeat the trick this year. At odds of 16/1, Good And Clever will hopefully give us a decent run for our e/w money.

2025 Dublin Racing Festival Tip: Good And Clever e/w @ 16/1

Handicap Hurdle – Sunday @ 3.50pm (Listed)

Irish Panther ran a cracking race to finish third on his handicap debut at this track on St Stephen’s Day and with that experience under his belt, he can go well again upped to this higher level. This son of Lucarno must have been fragile as a younger horse as he was raced very sparingly since his excellent rules’ debut here when he finished 2l behind Fact To File in a bumper in 2022.

He then got to within 4.5l of Ballyburn at Punchestown in another bumper a couple of months later so there is no doubt that he has plenty of ability. After a 195 day break he ran well to be placed in a couple of maiden hurdles in November 2023 but he was off the track for another 164 days after those two runs.

After another three month break he made his handicap debut over this C&D off 118 in December and he finished a 5.5l third behind the winner Shraheen. In second, 3.5l ahead of Irish Panther, was Cloonainra, since narrowly denied in a Haydock Grade 2, and Harty’s charge was conceding 11lb to that rival who is now rated 124.

Irish Panther could be well handicapped off 119 on that evidence and he has placed on both previous runs at this venue so at odds of 25/1, he is the each way selection.

2025 Dublin Racing Festival Tip: Irish Panther e/w @ 25/1  

-DaveStevos

2025 Naas Limestone Lad Meeting Preview

After Believitanducan’s effort in the opener at Cheltenham I feared the worst. The ground wasn’t as soft as I hoped and he was simply too slow. Thankfully, Yellow Car gave us a nice winner in the River Don at 16s. Spirits Bay ran an absolute cracker for us in the Unibet Hurdle but it was only good enough for third. Transmission was unfortunately only out for a Saturday stroll in the Cleeve. I like a trio of bets for Sunday, my 2025 Naas Limestone Lad Meeting preview is below.

1.00 – Novice Handicap Chase (130 = 11st12)

Petit King would be tempting on a right handed track but going this way round, I’ll be leaving him alone. The one that appeals most at a half-decent price in this 2m4f handicap is the dual course winner, American Money. He took a 2m3f handicap hurdle off 104 at this meeting last year and he then followed up a month and a half later off 7lb higher over 15.5f.

He ended up with a rating of 121 over the smaller obstacles and after a summer break, he has returned with two below par runs in beginners chases. The handicapper certainly wasn’t impressed by those efforts at Navan and Fairyhouse and has rewarded him with an opening chase mark of 113, just 2lb higher than he was when beating Lazer Wolf over timber here last February (and he won a novice handicap chase last month off 116).

Kieran Buckley was on board for his last win and he’s ridden him in both chases so he knows the horse well. Given his course record, you’d imagine he’ll be doing his best so at odds of 16/1, American Money is worth chancing each way.

2025 Naas Limestone Lad Meeting Tip: American Money e/w @ 16/1 NAP

2.00 – Limestone Lad Hurdle (Grade 3)

A pitiful turnout for the feature with just three runners declared. The great Limestone Lad would not be impressed. Anzadam is prohibitive odds to maintain his unblemished record and given the manner of his Fairyhouse win, the Champion Hurdle hopeful will likely be hard to beat.

The form of Laafi’s Limerick maiden win has since taken a couple of knocks but he might make a race of it. The veteran Beacon Edge has a big experience edge but two miles is not his thing and a clear round and a nice bit of prize money for third will be on his agenda. No bet.

2025 Naas Limestone Lad Meeting Tip: No Bet

2.30 – Novice Chase (Grade 3)

Dancing City is short odds to complete a rapid fire Donnelly double in this race. However, I am going to take him on with Good Land. Trained and owned by Barry Connell, this son of Blue Bresil managed to win a Grade 1 over hurdles at Leopardstown in February 2023. He followed that with a creditable fourth in the Ballymore at Cheltenham, finishing 11.5l behind Impaire Et Passe.

This horse missed the whole of last season with a tendon injury. He has gone straight over fences since returning to action and he wasn’t disgraced on either start. Last time out he finished fourth in the Grade 1 Faugheen Chase at Limerick, 14 odd lengths behind Impaire Et Passe. He got badly outpaced on the turn for home before running on again after the last and on that evidence, this longer trip looks well worth a try.

Given his achievements over hurdles, and that last chase run, I’m not sure he should be fourth best in the betting here. He has plenty of class and if he stays, he could be a danger to all. At odds of 9/1, Good Land is the each way selection.

2025 Naas Limestone Lad Meeting Tip: Good Land e/w @ 9/1

3.30 – Punchestown Festival Qualifier Handicap Hurdle (120 = 11st12)

I tipped up Must Go Now for the Racing Post on New Year’s Day and he hacked up. Unfortunately, he’s too short for the blog today. We had our fingers burnt by That’s All at the Thyestes Meeting on Thursday but hopefully we can gain some compensation with her stable companion Answering here.

A maiden winner at Thurles last March on heavy (2m), a month later he pitched up at this venue for his handicap debut off 116 (2m, soft). Outpaced at the top of the straight, he ran on very nicely after jumping the last, staying on into fourth, beaten just 3.5l for the win.

He hasn’t had soft ground for his three runs since then so I am willing to forgive those tame efforts. The return to Naas is a plus, it looked like this trip would be right up his alley here last season and he’s now 4lb lower than he was for that run. He had a pipe opener at Thurles last month, hopefully that has left him spot on fitness wise and if it has, Answering is capable of outrunning his odds of 25/1.

2025 Naas Limestone Lad Meeting Tip: Answering e/w @ 25/1 (5 places) NB

-DaveStevos

2025 Gowran Park Thyestes Meeting

We have already backed Macs Charm for the race that stops a county, you can read why here. Given the day that’s in it, we may as well try to find some e/w bets at nice prices in some of the other races, my 2025 Gowran Park Thyestes meeting tips are below.

1.38 – Langtons Kilkenny Handicap Hurdle (0-100)

We backed the winner of this race at 33/1 in 2023 so hopefully it is kind to us again. Timothy Doyle is a trainer who has had plenty of success at this venue, particularly on the flat, and he is represented by That’s All. This 8yo daughter of Morpheus remains a maiden after 21 starts (9 over hurdles) but she has ability and I think she might be capable of hitting the frame here off a mark of 86.

She only made her handicap debut in November and she ran poorly that day at Fairyhouse but she showed more on her next start, here over 2m4f on yielding ground. She managed to finish sixth of 15 off a mark of 90, beaten 15l for the win and 10.5l for the place. Dropped out in rear, she travelled into the race really nicely but her stamina ran out between the last two flights.

She filled the same position in her next two starts, both on good ground, but last time out she managed to get third at Punchestown (16.5f hvy), beaten 6l for the win by Falcon Park, who reopposes here. Doyle’s mare was conceding 6lb to that rival at Punchestown, with jockey’s claims taken into account she’ll be getting 11lbs from him here, a hefty 17lb swing.

Ar Nos Na Gaoithe was 4l back in fourth that day and she is 12/1 here, That’s All is 20s. I don’t see any reasons why Doyle’s mare can’t uphold that form and I think she has every chance of getting a whole lot closer to Falcon Park on these terms. So, at odds of 20/1, That’s All is the each way selection.

2025 Gowran Park Thyestes Meeting Tip: That’s All e/w @ 20/1 NAP (5 places)

2.13 – Galmoy Hurdle (Grade 2)

Unfortunately, the cat is out of the bag regarding Rocky's Diamond. He landed a smashing place for us at Leopardstown last month but he isn’t going to be 66/1 this time around. 8/1 can still be got at the time of writing, too short for the blog but still a half-decent price. He’s won here before and I wouldn’t be surprised if he won this weak looking Grade 2.

You can pick holes in lots of his rivals. The 11yo Asterion Forlonge, who has won two races since April 2021, is 4/1. That’s right, 4/1. Buddy One is a horse I like but he’s been chasing and he may need to get his eye back in over the smaller obstacles. Sandor Clegane usually travels well but finds little.

It looks to me like Rocky’s Diamond has Hiddenvalley Lake to beat. He’s a Grade 2 winner and has placed in Grade 1s on his last two starts. Apart from him, Franciscan Rock is the only one that makes much appeal and his odds of 14/1 are tempting. However, I am going to take a chance on the Rocky’s Diamond/Hiddenvalley Lake reverse forecast. They are by far the two most solid looking options, hopefully they can fight out the finish.

2025 Gowran Park Thyestes Meeting Tip: Rocky’s Diamond/Hiddenvalley Lake reverse forecast

2.48 – Thyestes Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

We’ve already backed Macs Charm for this at 50/1 and I am happy with my lot. Stormy Judge could be worth a few pennies e/w if he gets a run but hopefully we can land the e/w money with Macs.

2025 Gowran Park Thyestes Meeting Tip: Macs Charm already advised e/w @ 50/1

-DaveStevos

Mac Can Bounce Back In The Thyestes

The Galmoy Hurdle and, more importantly, the Thyestes Handicap Chase are the feature races at Gowran Park on Thursday. It is a race that I have a mixed record in over the years. The first ever tip I put up for it was My Murphy, who won in 2016 at 20/1, we landed a place with Wounded Warrior who finished second in 2018 and in 2023 Espanito Bello ran into fifth.

Other years have not proved as fruitful but I reckon Macs Charm can give each way players a decent run for their money in the 2025 renewal. Trained by Colm Murphy, this 10yo son of Le Fou looks like he has been trained for this race. He has had two runs so far this season, one over hurdles and one chase over an inadequate trip and the handicapper has dropped him to a mark of 135.

Well Handicapped

A year ago he ran into fifth in this race off a mark of 141. He was only beaten 8l for the win and a short head for fourth, so he is certainly handicapped to finish closer off a 6lb lower rating. The ground was heavy that day but he acts on soft and his last win came on that sort of ground off this mark at Fairyhouse back in April 2023.

Not only is he on a competitive looking mark, he also loves Gowran Park. He has run there four times in the past, once over hurdles and in three chases, and he has form figures of 1225 at the track. He’s guaranteed to get a run, he should get his ground so hopefully, he’ll be declared in the morning. At odds of 50/1, Macs Charm is worth backing each way.

2025 Thyestes Chase Tip: Macs Charm e/w @ 50/1 (4 places 1/4 odds)

-DaveStevos

2025 Triumph Hurdle Cheltenham Ante-Post Tip

After his impressive win at Ascot, Nicky Henderson’s French recruit Lulamba has been cut to 6/4 for the Triumph and is now the clear market leader. He showed a neat turn of foot to put the race to bed after the final hurdle and he’s undoubtedly a smart horse but I thought there was an awful lot to like about the effort of the runner up Mondo Man on his hurdling debut. If he can settle better at Cheltenham, I think he can narrow the 3.5l margin of defeat substantially, and perhaps even turn it around.

This is a horse that regular readers of my previews will be familiar with. We backed him in the G1 French Derby, where he finished fifth and also in the G2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, where he finished fourth. His last run on the flat was poor but he ended up with a rating of 111 in that sphere and he was picked up by current connections for a cool 520k in October at the Arqana Arc Sale.

Pulled Like A Dog

To say he did a lot wrong at Ascot would be a massive understatement. He pulled like an absolute dog for at least three quarters of the race, yet he still kept on well for second and while he had no answers when Lulamba turned the screw inside the final 150 yards, that was understandable given how he had behaved throughout the race.

He often raced keenly on the flat too, particularly when he was running on home turf in France where they usually go a crawl early before the race turns into a sprint at the finish. I think he will be seen to much better effect when he encounters a proper end to end gallop, which he will hopefully get in the Triumph.

Ground Versatile

Mondo Man jumped pretty well at Ascot so he should be fine in that department. He seems to act on all sorts of ground, which is always a big plus for any ante-post bet, and unless something emerges from the Dublin Racing Festival in a couple of weeks, there doesn’t look to be any superstars lurking in the shadows in Ireland.

Even though he’ll be worse off at the weights with Lulamba in March, I still think he can run to a much higher level if they go a proper gallop and he settles so at odds of 25/1, Mondo Man is worth backing each way.

2025 Cheltenham Triumph Hurdle Ante-Post Tip: Mondo Man e/w @ 25/1

-DaveStevos

2025 Windsor & Market Rasen Friday Preview

The Moscow Flyer meeting at Punchestown didn’t go as I hoped. Enjoy d’Allen did what he usually does and that’s the last time I’ll be tipping him (I swear!). Artic Lane was outclassed and unfortunately, Chosen Diamond needed the run badly. We have three days of quality action to get stuck into this weekend, I’ll be previewing the Berkshire Million meeting on my own blog and Saturday’s action will be covered on the TXMarkets blog. My 2025 Windsor & Market Rasen Friday tips are below.

2.35 Market Rasen – Veterans’ Handicap Chase Final (Class 2)

This race has fallen foul of the weather a couple of times already. I put Smarty Wild up when it was scheduled to be run at Sandown earlier this month and my main angle for fancying him was his liking for right-handed tracks. Pulled up on his return from a year off at Haydock in December, his form figures going left handed read 455P, going the other way they read 3313332F232.

He gets in here off a mark of 127. He is actually rated 125 but even though he is 2lb wrong at the weights, he was placed on his last three starts of 2022/2023 off 133 so I am not too worried about him being out of the handicap. I am hoping he needed his comeback run and that he'll improve plenty for it.

Philip Hobbs and Johnson White have had five winners from their last nine runners, hopefully Smarty Wild gives them another winner on Friday at odds of 10/1.

2025 Windsor & Market Rasen Friday Tip: Smarty Wild e/w @ 10/1

3.35 Windsor – Sovereign Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)

There’s a big pot up for grabs here. The total purse is £110k with £57k going to the winner. We have backed Cracking Rhapsody a couple of times, including at a lovely price when he won the Morebattle at Kelso last season. We also backed him at Cheltenham on his penultimate outing, where he ran poorly, but he bounced straight back from that effort on his next start at Kelso, where he hosed up in a mickey mouse class 3 handicap off 127.

That win came on soft, it was also soft when he was beaten a length in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr last year and overall, his form figures in soft ground handicaps read 2131. His Morebattle win came on good to soft so he won't mind once there is a bit of juice in the ground. 

The ground was good when he flopped at Cheltenham so I am willing to forgive him that run and I think he might still have a bit more wriggle room off his revised mark of 133. 20/1 about Cracking Rhapsody looks a shade too big to my eyes and at those odds, he has to be worth chancing each way.

2025 Windsor & Market Rasen Friday Tip: Cracking Rhapsody e/w @ 20/1 (4 places)

-DaveStevos

2025 Punchestown Moscow Flyer Meeting Preview

Our solid start to 2025 continued on Saturday. Jukebox Joker just about got the place at 12/1 and Up For Parol won easily enough at the same odds. Captains Nephew went too hard in the middle part of his race and didn’t get home and Riot’s run was a non-event. On Sunday we have the 2025 Punchestown Moscow Flyer meeting, hopefully we can land another winner. Preview and tips are below.

12.25 – Beginners’ Chase (5yo+)

Just like at Fairyhouse on Saturday, the recently thawed ground is going to be taxing at Punchestown. Gavin Cromwell is flying at the moment and he has the fav here with Shantou Princess. The ground is going to be very different than when she won here over hurdles in December but she won her P2P on heavy and she’s related to winning chasers so it would be no surprise were she to win.

The much more experienced Brucejack looks a danger. He has already had ten starts over fences, finishing second twice, and he was a very creditable fifth in the Porterstown at Fairyhouse against seasoned handicappers on his last start. This drop in trip will suit him and if I was backing one at the head of the betting, I’d take a chance on him.

It is hard to make a case for anything at a price here as the majority of the outsiders look like they will be aimed at handicaps in the future. No bet.

2025 Punchestown Moscow Flyer Meeting Tip: No Bet

12.55 – Skybet Novice Chase (Grade 3)

If the ground was nicer I’d be taking a chance on Ifiwerearichman here. He did win his maiden hurdle on soft but his two best efforts have come on good over hurdles and on yielding here over fences when he slammed Jasko Des Dames by 6.5l.

Lecky Watson won nicely on his chasing debut at Naas last month and he has plenty of form in the mud, unlike Down Memory Lane, who floundered on testing ground at Sandown last month. However, I'm not sure this slight drop in trip is ideal for the Mullins’ horse and he ran poorly over hurdles here last season so it might be worth having a small go at the Elliott reverse forecast.

Farren Glory got off the mark at the second attempt over fences on good ground at Naas last November. He ran another sound race when beaten 6l into second by Touch Me Not in a Grade 2 here last time out, shaping as though a step up in trip might suit. Two of his four career wins have come on heavy ground.

His stablemate Search For Glory ran really well at this trip behind Impaire Et Passe in a Grade 1 at Limerick last month. Beaten a head here over 3m by Stellar Story in a Grade 2 on his penultimate start, we know he handles the track and ground and he’ll likely be ridden positively. Given the negatives regarding the other three, a reverse forecast on Farren Glory and Search For Glory is advised.

2025 Punchestown Moscow Flyer Meeting Tip: Farren Glory/Search For Glory reverse forecast

1.25 – Adare Manor Handicap Chase (0-100)

An unappealing heat. Papa Barns deserves to get his head in front but I am not certain he’ll enjoy the ground. Mahlers Cove could go well but he ran poorly over C&D last season. An easy race to swerve. No bet.

2025 Punchestown Moscow Flyer Meeting Tip: No bet

1.55 – Amateur National Handicap Chase (130 = 12st 4lbs)

Enjoy d’Allen has been an exceedingly frustrating horse for us. We have backed him on more than one occasion and he always just seems to miss out on a place. However, he hasn’t had that many chances on ground with heavy in the description throughout his career so I am going to charge headlong over the cliff one last time.

Ciaran Murphy’s charge has produced some of his better recent efforts at this venue on the banks course. He was a 13l fourth in the Risk Of Thunder here in November, finishing just over a length behind the 142 rated Stealthy Tom and a short head in front of the 157 rated Coko Beach.

His career form figures on ground with heavy in the description read 21216 and while it would be foolish to take the form of his Risk Of Thunder run literally, it’s hard not to be tempted by him off a mark of 122, especially with his rider taking off 7lb. At odds of 12/1, Enjoy d’Allen is the each way selection.

2025 Punchestown Moscow Flyer Meeting Tip: Enjoy d’Allen e/w @ 12/1 (4 places)

2.25 – Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)

There’s been quite a few half-decent winners of this Grade 2 over the years. Vautour, Douvan, Impaire Et Passe and my personal favourite, Dreal Deal. Willie Mullins has won the last three and he holds a strong hand again with the two market leaders, Salvator Mundi and Kel Histoire. The former horse won by half the track at Tipperary last time on good ground but he was just behind Sir Gino on bad ground on his debut in France and he does look like the one they have to beat.

Kel Histoire didn’t put in the best round of jumping when winning at Cork last month but he has to be respected given who trains him. Sky Lord won’t mind the heavy ground but the form of Henry De Bromhead has to be a worry for his supporters. Relieved Of Duties would be tempting on better ground but these conditions are an unknown for him.

Artic Lane beat Relieved Of Duties in a 2m maiden hurdle at Limerick in November but was beaten when unseating in a 2m4f handicap at Leopardstown over the Xmas period. He’s probably a bit overpriced given he’ll handle the ground and the drop back in trip is probably in his favour too.

Declan Queally’s horses are flying, he landed a cracking place for us with Rocky’s Diamond at huge odds at Leopardstown and even with just two places on offer, Artic Lane's price is big enough to warrant a small e/w bet. Hopefully the first-time blinkers sharpen him up and he makes a bold bid from the front.

2025 Punchestown Moscow Flyer Meeting Tip: 0.5pt Artic Lane e/w @ 80/1

3.25 – Handicap Hurdle (120 = 11st 12lbs)

A nice and easy get out of jail stakes. The one I’ll take a chance on is Chosen Diamond. Trained by the King of Fairyhouse, Eddie Cawley, this horse was last sighted running a nice race at that venue on heavy ground last March (20f). That was a stronger race than this one and he was only 3l behind The Other Mozzie, who is now rated 138 over fences.

This horse lacks a recent run but he won on his seasonal reappearance last year in a handicap chase at Naas so he is capable of going well when fresh. He has run poorly on both previous visits to Punchestown, which is a negative, but those efforts came over 3 miles and this trip is a lot more suitable.

Sean O’Keefe was placed on him at Navan last March (2m4f, hvy) and he held every chance of winning on him when falling at the last at Navan in January 2024. Again, this isn’t one for maximum stakes as he may need the run but at odds of 20/1, a small e/w interest on Chosen Diamond is advised.

2025 Punchestown Moscow Flyer Meeting Tip: Chosen Diamond e/w @ 20/1 (5 places)

-DaveStevos 

Titan Could Ascend In Lanzarote

This weekend Kempton hosts the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle. Dan Skelton has won the last two renewals and he has five entered this year so he is clearly determined to complete the hat-trick. In those last two renewals, we have backed Up For Parol. He got the place for us at 25s in 2023 but last year he ran a stinker. I was obviously tempted to go in on him again (so he’ll probably hack up) but this year, I am going to take a chance on the Welsh raider, Titan Discovery.

Trained by Robbie Llewellyn, this 7yo son of Pether’s Moon is lurking on a winnable mark, in my opinion. A winner by a head on his handicap debut off 104 in December 2023 at Ascot (15.5f, gd/sft), he added to that tally off 11lb higher In February at Sandown (20f, sft) two runs later.

On his next start, Titan Discovery stepped up in grade and contested a class 2 handicap hurdle over this C&D. Still travelling sweetly as they turned for home, he got stuck in a bit of a pocket on the inside and when the eventual winner Boombawn made his race winning move, Liam Harrison had to switch out wide to follow him and the Skelton horse just got first run.

Titan did jump the last two hurdles perhaps a tiny bit steeply, which cost him momentum, but once Harrison gave him the office after the last he picked up strongly, and the winner was clinging on for dear life at the line.

Solid Form

Boombawn, then racing off 130, has since won a Grade 2 over fences and is rated 141 in that sphere. Irish Hill was a couple of lengths off them in third running off 124 and he has won off that mark since and is now rated 131. Kateira was back in fourth off 136 and she won a grade 3 handicap at Aintree afterwards (and a Listed here) and is now rated 145.

Robbie Llewellyn’ charge will be racing off 123 here, just 2lb higher than he was in that C&D contest. He shaped as though needing the run when a respectable seventh on his seasonal return in the 19.5f Silver Trophy at Chepstow three months ago and he’ll be better suited by the right handed track at Kempton. His form figures over hurdles going left handed read 67, going the other way they read 421212.

Soft or good to soft ground is perfectly fine for him, my only concern is that he’s been absent for three months since that Chepstow return. Looking back at the stats, Robbie Llewellyn didn’t have a winner or a second from twenty four runners between September and November so perhaps some of his horses weren’t fully healthy and he didn’t want to run this lad until his string had turned the corner.

He went 2/11 in December and this month he’s had a second from his three runners so far, so it looks like he has his string in fine fettle now. I’m convinced this horse has a big pot in him on a right-handed track and I’m hoping this has been the long-term target since his excellent run over C&D last year. So, at odds of 25/1, Titan Discovery is the e/w selection.

2025 Lanzarote Hurdle Kempton Ante-Post: Titan Discovery e/w @ 25/1 (4 places 1/4 odds)

-DaveStevos

2025 Naas Lawlor’s Meeting Preview

Unfortunately Saturday’s racing fell foul of the freezing weather. Amazingly, the BHA didn’t have an alternative all-weather meeting scheduled that could be broadcast free to air instead so ITV had no racing to show. The forecast wasn’t great for Naas on Saturday night into Sunday but thankfully, the card goes ahead. Check out Dave Stevos’ 2025 Naas Lawlor’s Meeting preview and tips below.

1.25 – Racing Post Novice Chase (Grade 2)

Nothing really leapt out in the first two races. I was half-tempted by Miss Pronunciation in the opener because of her record on testing ground but all her best form is on right-handed tracks and she’ll likely be out for a spin to get a mark to qualify her for handicap chases. There’s only two places on offer in the second race, a handicap chase, so we’ll start off with this Grade 2 Novices’ Chase.

Only five run in this contest and Inthepocket is even money to follow up his easy win at Wexford in November (2m, sft). A Grade 1 winner over timber at Aintree in 2023, he won as he liked on his first chase start and it would be no surprise were he to follow up.

Ile Atlantique was also impressive on his chasing debut at Navan last month, making all to beat Waterford Whispers by 9l over 20.5f on soft ground. He’ll be suited by a strongly run race at this trip and he should get that, but he wasn’t as talented over timber as his main market rival.

Firefox is the only other one in here with a realistic chance on all known form. His fans would have been very disappointed by his defeat in the Drinmore but in hindsight, it looks like ok form after seeing what the winner Croke Park and Heart Wood (fourth in the Savills) have done since. He probably represents a bit of value against the top two in the market at 3/1 but he’s too short for the blog. No bet.

2025 Naas Lawlor’s Meeting Tip: No Bet

1.55 – Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Last year’s Champion Bumper winner, Jasmin De Vaux, is a warm order in this 2m4f Grade 1 novice. His jumping wasn’t great on his hurdling debut at Navan but the second and third have won since and the fifth, beaten 24l, ran a blinder in a maiden at Fairyhouse for Eddie Cawley on New Year’s Day.

The Yellow Clay is 3/3 over hurdles, including wins at Grade 3 and Grade 2 level. He finished 12l behind the fav at Cheltenham but reversed the form at Punchestown and I’m not sure he should be 11/4 if Jasmin De Vaux is priced up at 13/8. In fact, given his experience advantage over hurdles, I’d probably make the Elliott horse favourite.

The plunge horse is Supersundae, who opened up at 25s with one firm last night. He’s been backed all the way into just 7/1 but whether this tacky ground will be up his alley, I’m not too sure.

Bigger Odds

Is there anything capable of spoiling the party at bigger odds? Spasiba won his maiden here back in November but that was on much better ground than he’ll encounter here. Plontier also has ground concerns so that leaves us with Wingmen.

A two-time bumper winner last year on soft and yielding (including a race here), he got off the mark at the first attempt over hurdles at Navan in November (20f, gd/yld). However, he failed to follow up dropped back in trip at Cheltenham to 2m1f on good to soft ground and the horse that beat him there has since come up short in Grade 1 company.

That being said, the step back up to 2m4f is in this son of Kayf Tara’s favour and the ground could be a plus for him too. He is unraced on  ground with heavy in the description under rules but it was soft to heavy for his sole start in points and he hacked up at Ballycrystal that day by 12 lengths.

At odds of 40/1, Wingmen is a speculative each way selection. He’ll probably need one or two to misfire to sneak a place though, so keep stakes small.

2025 Naas Lawlor’s Meeting Tip: Wingmen e/w @ 40/1

3.05 – Adare Handicap Hurdle (110 = 11st 12lbs)

Giant Haystacks looks too short here given that he has been well beaten both starts on soft ground and his win last time came on yielding. This is admittedly a weaker race but given that he has to prove he handles these testing conditions, he could be worth taking on.

At massive odds, maybe Cornmarket can challenge for a place if he comes on for his seasonal reappearance at here last month. The 2m trip and good to yielding ground were not in his favour that day and he was beaten a long way, but there is cause for optimism now that he steps up to 2m3f and returns to heavy ground.

His best efforts last season came on heavy ground. He stayed on for a remote fourth of 10 off 86 at Clonmel in October 2023 and then on his next start over hurdles upped to 2m4f on heavy, he finished an 8.75l fourth of 10 behind Kiln Time at Wexford off 84. He was again fourth at Cork in March, beaten 9l on soft to heavy and not quite getting home over the 2m4f trip.

This 2m3f trip could be ideal for him and while he is racing from 4lb out of the handicap, his rider’s 4lb claim negates that. If he can repeat those Cork or Wexford efforts in this weak race he might be able to sneak into the frame and with five places on offer, Cornmarket is worth chancing each way for small stakes at odds of 33/1.

2025 Naas Lawlor’s Meeting Tip: Cornmarket e/w @ 33/1 (5 places)

-DaveStevos