Value Bets – Saturday August 17th

Racing tipster James Boyle has picked out three selections for Saturday’s cards.

There’s nothing more frustrating than a fast-finishing second who should have won and Ifton fits into that category having rattled home at Yarmouth on Thursday after tanking his way through the race. Unfortunately, Jamie Spencer got him out too late and that was that, game over. A 10/1 winner gone astray! On the complete other end of the scale, Bernie’s Boy was a no-show and taking a chance on him proved to be a waste of time. He’s very well-treated but clearly needs to find some form again.

2:05pm Ripon – Flying Pursuit – 1pt win @ 17/2

With Tim Easterby’s string in good form, it could be time for FLYING PURSUIT to take advantage of a falling mark. The 6-year-old is winless this term but began 2019 off a career-high rating of 103 and took a while to find his level again. He’s a full stone lower today and did shape with promise at York on his penultimate start when fifth behind Dakota Gold over this 6f trip. A run at Thirsk since needs forgiving but he bombed out over that same C&D in April and may not like the place for whatever reason. As a three-time C&D winner, there are no issues with returning to Ripon and being drawn low could work well on ground that he’ll love. Everything points towards a big run being forthcoming.

2:45pm Newmarket – Came From The Dark – 1pt win @ 12/1

CAME FROM THE DARK also needs forgiving as Ed Walker’s charge was a huge disappointment when I selected him last week at Haydock. Despite halving in price to 5/2 favouritism, he went fast early and went backwards just as quickly in the closing stages to finish nine-lengths off the winner. However, I’m absolutely certain that he’s much better than the run would suggest and racing so prominently may have contributed to the below-par performance. Cover is required to get him to relax into a rhythm and if it’s found here, we should see the son of Dark Angel finish off his race a lot stronger. He certainly has the cruising speed requited to land one of these Class 4’s and looks overpriced to bounce back.

3:15pm Ripon – Lake Volta – 1pt win @ 11/1

A number of these won’t love the ground or prove suited to the demands of Ripon’s sprint track so it’s possible that LAKE VOLTA could take advantage despite probably not being the best handicapped horse in the race. He is, however, a typical Mark Johnston performer who goes to the well time and time again, posts rock-solid figures and then moves on to the next big race that can be found. Indeed, he’s arriving on the back of a good effort in the Stewards’ Cup when close up behind a couple of these and given his prominent running style, it was no surprise to see others coming home better than him. This contest, at a C&D he has won over, will suit better and if a middle draw isn’t a problem, he’ll go closer.

If you’re looking for more tips then check out what myracing have on the horse racing tips page!

• • Profit/Loss Total: -2.25 points.
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