4.00pm Redcar Tips & Betting Preview 04/05/2017

This is a competitive handicap over 1m 1f, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: David Barron’s RONNIE THE ROOSTER gets the vote to come out on top here having just been denied off this mark ten days ago. He’s turned out quickly and should be tough to beat here with race fitness and experience on his side. Teodoro looks dangerous making his handicap debut for a smart stable whilst Snookered is of interest at a bigger price with Paul Hanagan booked to ride again.

1 KURAKA – Makes his handicap debut today following three runs as a 2yo. He showed some clear ability during those efforts which included a 1 3/4 length defeat to the useful Election Day, having been sent off an even money favourite on the day. He went on to win a handicap off a mark of 76 and place off 80 so today’s 72 for Karl Burke’s runner looks about right. Clifford Lee claims 5lbs and he’s worth respect here. The market should guide best.

2 KATEBIRD – One of the more exposed runners in this and she makes her first start as a 3yo today having run eleven times as a 2yo. She won two handicaps off marks of 58 and 64 and the handicapper has left her on a mark of 71 today having been beaten 10 lengths off this mark in a much tougher race at the end of last season. This is a much easier task than her final start of last year and she could be dangerous here if she’s fit off this 187-day break.

3 TEODORO – Interesting sort for the Tom Dascombe yard making his handicap debut today. He ran twice as a 2yo behind some smart sorts and he had an easy return to action in a hot looking maiden back in March over 7 furlongs. The trip was too short that day and the step up to a mile and a furlong looks extremely positive for this son of Teofilo. A mark of 69 may be generous and he deserves close attention in the betting.

4 MEDALLA DE ORO – Hasn’t shown the same level of form as some of these in three maidens to date but the last of those came in a Class 3 contest. This is a much easier task and a mark of 68 looks about right on debut although he remains a colt and connections will be hopeful he’ll turn out to be better than this. He’s another that has a stamina-packed pedigree and he may just need further than this. Others are preferred today.

5 RONNIE THE ROOSTER – Nice colt for David Barron who runs here with the benefit of race fitness. He was only beaten half a length at Pontefract in a similar contest to today’s event and he should be capable of winning in this company off 5lbs higher than his last winning mark. Ben Curtis retains the partnership today (3 wins from his last 33 rides) and stall 4 is ideal. He’s slightly vulnerable to the handicap debutantes but he should be a tough sort to overcome here.

6 RAY DONOVAN – Sole victory came over 7 furlongs off a 2lb lower mark last August and he was beaten out of sight on his seasonal return at Pontefract in April. He was carried wide that day which scuppered his chance and he should run a much better race here off the same mark. The stable have an excellent 16% strike rate at Redcar and Josh Doyle claims a valuable 5lbs here. Needs to prove this is the right trip for him.

7 ARCHI’S AFFAIRE – Another handicap debutante who has run at all sorts of trips from 5 to 7 furlongs in three career starts. He steps right up in trip here which looks like a smart move given his pedigree and it’s likely that he’s much better than he has shown to date. A mark of 63 should definitely be workable and Callum Rodriguez claims 5lbs which puts him off a low weight. The stable are operating at a 19% strike rate in the past fortnight.

8 BREAKWATER BAY – Showed some improvement for the step up in trip to a mile at Redcar last month and there should be more to come over today’s 1m 1f. He’s a pound lower today and a mark of 62 looks fair for this son of Lilbourne Lad who looked to need every yard of the trip last time out. The yard have a poor strike rate lately with just 2 winners from their last 59 runners and others are slightly more appealing here.

9 SNOOKERED – Looked like he needed the run at Newcastle last month off his winter break. He should do better here off a pound lower and the booking of Paul Hanagan again looks positive for a stable that has an 18% strike rate at Redcar. He has something to prove off a mark of 60 having won off 3lbs lower but there should be more to come on just his second start as a 3yo and he cannot be ruled out.

10 CLIFF BAY – Ran a nice race in first time cheekpieces at Southwell last month to finish second of 7, beaten a neck. The handicapper has put him up 4lbs as a result which looks fair given the form and he carries a low weight here against some interesting sorts. Phillip Makin takes over in the saddle (3 wins from his last 30 rides) and the cheekpieces will have to have the same effect today to see him win off 59.

11 TURNING GOLD – Sir Mark Prescott has only sent 18 runners to Redcar but 5 of them have been winners which gives him a leading 28% strike rate here. He’s been quiet of late, without a runner in the past fortnight but this handicap debutante (well-beaten on all three starts) is fascinating for a yard that does well with this sort of profile. Luke Morris rides and he needs extremely close attention in the betting making his first start as a 3yo.