Horse Racing Betting Tips Today

Will Smith Tips

Haiti Couleurs

2.50 Chepstow

* EW 5 places 1/5

17/2

Lucky 15

View Tips

6/1

Thinking I was very clever by recommending an ante-post bet on Haiti Couleurs before the Betfair Chase, it was particularly galling to see him throw in a clunker at Haydock Park, which was completely uncharacteristic of such a forward-going, effervescent type.

If you watch the early stages of any of his races over the last 18 months or so, Haiti Couleurs always takes his jockey into the first few obstacles over the first half mile of every race. At Haydock Park, this just didn’t happen as Sean Bowen had to nudge him into and away from the first fence off what was a slow early gallop too.

It has since transpired that he had a lower back issue which has reportedly been rectified, and if the 5 weeks in between Haydock and today has given Rebecca Curtis enough time to remedy that, build him back up again and have him fresh and well, then if there is one horse in the line up for today’s Coral Welsh Grand National at 2.50 at Chepstow that could blow the race apart then it is Haiti Couleurs.

Rock My Way is a player too, as he won the Berkshire National at Ascot last month in impressive fashion, and doesn’t have much to find with Haiti Couleurs on their National Hunt Chase running last season. However, I don’t the feel the ceiling of Rock My Way’s ability is anywhere near that of Haiti Couleurs and can’t envisage him or any other horses in the line-up today being able to do what Haiti Couleurs did in the Irish Grand National.

At 17/2 each-way with Unibet for 5 places, Haiti Couleurs must be today’s 1-star * Daily Value selection for WhichBookie, in the hope that he can get back on the Gold Cup train.

It won’t be the usual Welsh Grand National given the sounder surface than normal, and most of the field would have preferred a slog, which could lend itself to the classier Haiti Couleurs, who is adept on any surface.

It’s also notable how important the start of the race is each year. It seems most winners are lined up out wide and given a clear sight of the first fence, before a fluent jump carries them into a prominent position into the first bend. Sean Bowen is as good at this race-riding tactic as any, and it’s hoped that he gets his usual ‘feel’ from Haiti Couleurs, as opposed to the pained response he got at Haydock Park.

David Young Tips

Ballybreeze

1.05 Chepstow

Win

5/2

Miss Cynthia

1.20 Kempton

Win

4/1

Kinturk Kalanisi

3.00 Leopardstown

EW 6 places 1/5

25/1

Jubilee Express

2.50 Chepstow

Win

11/2

Prince Zaltar

3.07 Kempton

Win

9/2

Indemnity

3.37 Kempton

Win

6/4

1.05 Chepstow – Handicap Chase – 2m

With course and distance form figures of 211, it’s clear that BALLYBREEZE goes well here and his defeat came on heavy ground. The going for both of his wins was good but he should be ok on today’s slightly slower surface especially with wind about to help dry the ground.

He’s been dropped a pound for his comeback run at Cheltenham last month which should have put him spot on for this, so that’s a help beyond just the fitness. Also both horses behind him in each victory last spring have both won since, so the bare form looks better than his current mark too

BALLYBREEZE – 1 STAR WIN @ 5/2

1.20 Kempton – Mares’ Handicap Hurdle – 3m½f

This looks a competitive race on paper with last years winner Della Casa Lunga having a clear chance off the same mark and Star Walking catches the eye under Harry Cobden after ending last season under him when well beaten but was reported to have made a noise. She’s had a wind op since and a prep run which would suggest she’s expected to go well here now the money is starting to come.

However, I think on balance I’d be happy to take a chance with MISS CYNTHIA for the Skeltons who have taken this twice from the last 5 renewals. The brothers show a near 50% ROI in handicaps since 2020 at this fixture plus they’ve performed very well with stable switchers too.

She sports a tongue-tie following a wind op and she stays this trip as confirmed in March in Doncaster but it’s her run prior going this way round at Market Rasen that sticks out having beaten Lavida Advia by ¾ of a length giving away 6lbs seeing as that horse took the Listed Mares’ Hurdle at Doncast 2 weeks ago and it’s a 130’s mare now.

Only niggle is that both her career wins have come in headgear, but I’d trust the yard and the tongue-tie might be enough to help her land this race

MISS CYNTHIA – 1 STAR WIN @ 4/1

2.50 Chepstow – Welsh Grand National – 3m6½f

Cracking renewals of the Welsh Grand National but all eyes for me are on last years runner up JUBILEE EXPRESS who prepped well last time out and didn’t have that luxury last season. Ticks the boxes from the right type to land this contest and the ground should be OK having won on similar over this course last time out.

He’s an 8yo but still has more progression to come with racing and he matched his 133 RPR from this race 12 months ago last time out which shows his likely to continue his progress from last season despite a flop last spring.

JUBILEE EXPRESS – 1 STAR WIN @ 11/2

3.00 Leopardstown – Paddy Power Handicap Chase – 3m½f

28 runners declared for this contest but we do have extended places being offered by most firms and that makes further EW appeal for KINTURK KALANISI who is having his first run since disappointing in the Irish Grand National last season when I fancied him to go well.

Jumping cost him there but he’s also appeared lazy at Fairyhouse which has happened before too. No runs at Leopardstown but maybe a new track will spark his concentration and he has really good form this way round including when unseating on his penultimate outing in the Leinster National when in with every chance and that came under a 7lb claimer.

He’s still well handicapped in my opinion and he’s going to improve for racing over fences so I’m happy to forgive his tendency to have made mistakes up to now.

KINTURK KALANISI – 0.5 STAR EW @ 25/1 (6 places 1/5)

3.07 Kempton – Handicap Chase – 3m

I’ve touched on the Skeltons positive Handicap record at this meeting and PRINCE ZALTAR was in this column two weeks ago when I don’t think he was put into contention early enough to land a blow.

This race looks easier, a 3lb rise looks manageable and his final win for his previous yard came at Punchestown this way round so that could eek out a bit more to help land this.

PRINCE ZALTAR – 1 STAR WIN @ 9/2

3.37 Kempton – Handicap Hurdle – 2m

Another horse here who has been in the column when they last ran is INDEMNITY for Emma Lavelle who simply didn’t like the ground last time out in Newbury but still ran a blinder with a 2lb rise given for it.

That’s not going to be enough to stop another decent display and on top of the ground the form from last time out reads well given the winner was backed like and ran like he couldn’t lose and the runner up won yesterday.

INDEMNITY – 2 STAR WIN @ 6/4

Ante-Post Tips