Tomorrow’s Horse Racing Tips

Intense Raffles was a progressive chaser last term, winning two novice events at Fairyhouse in good style but it was his win in the Irish Grand National after that really stands out. Connections have done a very good job of protecting his mark by running him over hurdles until the weights came out and he must have every chance off 152. Prominent racers often fare well in the National as they tend to stay out of trouble and his second in the Bobbyjo Chase last time out was an excellent trial.

Top-class staying hurdler won the 2024 Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in easy fashion before backing that up with a fourth Grade 1 victory in the Champion Stayers at Punchestown in May to round off his season. He has finished runner-up in his two starts this season, going down to a pair of very classy types, and arrives here after another fine effort in the Stayers’ at Prestbury Park. He is the one they all have to beat again.

Nabbed late in last season’s County Hurdle by Paul Townend on Absurde but has gone on to make a fine specimen of a chaser, winning his first four starts over larger obstacles including a Grade 1 victory in the Henry VII Novices’ Chase at Sandown in December. The wheels came off in the Arkle last month but he lost nothing in defeat all the same, going down by a length and a half behind Jango Baie in a thrilling finish. This flatter track should suit him and he will take all the beating.

Won a Curraghmore point-to-point in April 2024 and was subsequently purchased for €200,000 on behalf of owner/rider David Maxwell. He made a successful start to his rules career when landing a Newbury bumper in November in grand style and he was beaten less than five lengths in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last month, a race that could turn out to be very strong form wise. He’s a leading contender off the back of that.

Unbeaten and very smart prospect who won all three bumpers last season, including the Grade 2 here at the end of the season. Fergal O’Brien’s charge has made a brilliant start to his hurdles career, bolting up at Huntingdon in November before easily seeing off a very decent horse under a penalty at Newbury when last seen in February. Clearly saved for this, it’s a surprise to see him at such large odds and he rates as a cracking each-way bet.

Docpicked me if far from the most reliable of horses but he arrives here at the very top his game, finishing a close second at Doncaster in December off a mark of 127 before going one better in the Great Yorkshire handicap chase under this rider there from 129. The form of that contest is very good and he should remain competitive from a 6lb higher mark.

Top-class staying hurdler won the 2024 Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in easy fashion before backing that up with a fourth Grade 1 victory in the Champion Stayers at Punchestown in May to round off his season. He has finished runner-up in his two starts this season, going down to a pair of very classy types, and arrives here after another fine effort in the Stayers’ at Prestbury Park. He is the one they all have to beat again.

Won a Curraghmore point-to-point in April 2024 and was subsequently purchased for €200,000 on behalf of owner/rider David Maxwell. He made a successful start to his rules career when landing a Newbury bumper in November in grand style and he was beaten less than five lengths in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last month, a race that could turn out to be very strong form wise. He’s a leading contender off the back of that.

Expensive purchase at £225,000 and the recruit won his first two bumpers at Warwick and Exeter. He got off the mark on his hurdling debut at Carlisle before bolting up in a Grade 2 at Sandown over 2m4f on soft. The form of his third behind The New Lion in the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury in December has worked out really well and although a disappointing third at Cheltenham in January when travelling strongly throughout, the step up to 3m should bring out the best in him in a first-time tongue-tie.

Intense Raffles was a progressive chaser last term, winning two novice events at Fairyhouse in good style but it was his win in the Irish Grand National after that really stands out. Connections have done a very good job of protecting his mark by running him over hurdles until the weights came out and he must have every chance off 152. Prominent racers often fare well in the National as they tend to stay out of trouble and his second in the Bobbyjo Chase last time out was an excellent trial.