£25,000 is up for grabs in the 5f Class 2 handicap on Tuesday’s Leicester card. Read our horse-by-horse race preview for our experts’ betting tips.
IN SUMMARY: Dougan looked in very good nick when scoring over 6f on the AW recently but, given he’s out of the weights here and yet to win on turf, it’s curious that some bookmakers have installed him as favourite. As a consequence, there is value to be found elsewhere and the suggestion is HUMIDOR. George Baker’s gelding has a point to prove after a subdued performance last time but he ran a huge race when second in the Portland two starts ago, is only 1lb higher today and is likely to be suited by the stiff 5f here. Lightscamaraction is a better horse on the AW but has run with credit in defeat on his last two turf starts and is second choice.
1 Boom The Groom – Successful at Glorious Goodwood (5f, good) and the York Ebor meeting (5.3f, good to firm) this summer but it was slightly disappointing he didn’t fare better when tacking Group 3 company at Newbury last month and, although he’s in calmer waters here, he’s on a stiff handicap mark.
2 MIrza – Getting long in the tooth now and not quite the force of old but was a dual Group 3 winner in his prime and dips back into handicap company after a very creditable third in Listed company at Ascot (5f, soft) recently; enters calculations but may find today’s ground slightly too quick.
3 Poyle Vinnie – Ought to find this race easier than the valuable 6f handicaps he’s contested on his last two outings and was placed off today’s mark at Chester (5.5f, good) three starts ago but, unless others set a very strong pace, he may find 5f on fast ground too sharp; sports first-time cheekpieces.
4 Humidor – Yet to hit the target this season but been placed in some very competitive races, most recently when excellent second in the Portland at Doncaster (5.5f, good) last month; needs to bounce back from a quiet run last time but no surprise if he poses a potent threat here.
5 Hay Chewed – Seemingly back in peak form when making all to beat two much-higher-rated rivals in C&D conditions race last month but, with this season’s others efforts in mind, it may not be wise to take that form at face value; the handicapper did, though, and she was disappointing in another conditions race when last in action.
6 Lightscamaraction – Won in Listed company on Polytrack in February; not quite as effective on turf but handicap mark reflects that and he comes here after two good runs in defeat, at Chester (5.5f, good) and Haydock (5f, good); can make his presence felt again here; cheekpieces the headgear of choice today.
7 Dougan – Ran on well to score at Wolverhampton (6f, AW) ten days ago and is now 5-8 on the AW; evidently in good nick but is still seeking his first turf success, is not sure to be suited by today’s drop back in trip and competes from 3lb out of the weights here.
8 Kasbah – 3-16 when trained by Johnny Murtagh in Ireland; not seen since a below-par effort at the Curragh in June and makes stable debut from 4lb out of the weights; no surprise if he does well for Robert Cowell at some stage but might be best watched today; swaps visor for first-time cheekpieces.
myracing Forecast Prices: 4/1 Lightscameraction, Dougan, 5/1 Boom The Groom, 7/1 Mirza, Humidor, Hay Chewed, Kasbah, 12/1 Poyle Vinnie