Tipping Tim’s Weekend Selections

Saturday’s action revolves around jump racing and American flat racing, both of which I know very little about. The game is hard enough when you have actually heard of some of the horses, so this weekend promises to be a real minefield. I tried to get into the American stuff once, but everyone was too confrontational about it and I didn’t get into this great game to pick fights about pace biases and sectional timing. Therefore I will focus on hurdles (the lovable side of jump racing) and the dregs at Newmarket, leaving the other stuff to the people who know what they are talking about.

The nap tomorrow has to be Court Minstrel in the 2.45 Ascot. A reasonable judge in the office reckons this beast will win the Champion Hurdle, so he wants to be going close in this off 149. Evan Williams’ gelding has always travelled like a high class hurdler, and a sharp two-miles on decent ground should be right up his street. This looks the ideal starting point in what promises to be a fruitful season, and I can see the 50/1 for the Champion Hurdle being rubbed down with vigour this time tomorrow (hopefully not to add a zero on the end).

The next best tomorrow has to be old favourite Medinas in the 3.00 Wetherby. At Fishers Cross looks skinny enough at the head of the market, and Alan King’s progressive 6yo could be the one to take advantage if the jolly is a gallop short. He ran so many massive races last season that he can be easily excused his blow out at Aintree and, although I’d much rather have Wayne Hutchinson in the saddle than the regressive Robert Thornton, he looks the value tomorrow.

For the Trixie I will take a chance on Jodies Jem in the 2.20 Newmarket. He is a bit in and out, and his last run was shameful stuff, but he beat some good horses when third at Sandown two runs back and he only has to repeat that to get involved tomorrow.

Good luck with all your bets this weekend!