Horse racing tips: Kempton, Warwick, Wetherby, Lingfield and Wolverhampton – Steve Mullen’s betting preview for the racing this Saturday, January 13
Steve Mullen guides you through Saturday's racing at Kempton, Warwick, Wetherby, Lingfield and Wolverhampton
A BIG win is not to be Missed in the Classic Chase at Warwick (3.35).
MISSED APPROACH ran much better than sixth place suggests in the “Hennessy” at Newbury last time. He was in the firing line for much of that classy contest and managed to stay bang in contention until the final straight. He was run out of it in the closing stages but that’s understandable in such hot company.
The handicapper has taken a chance by dropping him 6lb despite that encouraging effort. He looks to have been working up to a big win for a while and showed up well when eighth in the Scottish Grand National in April.
That was a pretty tall order for his debut at handicap chase level and he was again right in the frame until jumping the third last. He may have just found the 4m trip on the testing side but his lack of experience is the more likely explanation.
Given how few miles he has on the clock over fences, there’s every chance Warren Greatrex’s hopeful has a lot of improvement in him. He likes some cut in the ground and has the potential to become a star of the staying chase ranks.
Ballycross was a well-backed flop in this race 12 months ago but has matured since then. He can be a little hit and miss but was close to his best when fourth in good company at Chepstow last time out.
He shapes like a real stayer and appreciates plenty of cut in the ground. His amateur rider is good value for his 5lb claim and the first-time cheekpieces could sharpen up his game.
DIESE DES BIEFFES can strike in Kempton’s Lanzarote Hurdle (2.40).
This a red-hot contest but Nicky Henderson’s rapid improver has enough class to win it.
He had little trouble in winning his first two outings over timber, with his second victory at Taunton the most impressive.
The five-year-old was upped in class for a quality novice hurdle on Sandown’s Boxing Day card. It took a quality performance by If The Cap Fits to lower his colours and he’s now a leading contender for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Diese Des Bieffes was in the front line and looked cooked turning for home. But he managed to rally well and hold off the fast finishers to keep hold of second spot.
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Henderson thinks a lot of him and victory here would put him right into the Festival picture.
Red Indian has done nothing wrong since entering the hurdles ranks and took another step forward when finishing third at Cheltenham last time out.
He was coming back from six months off and he just lacked for a bit of fitness in the closing stages.
Spiritofthegames is taking a fair hike in class after scoring with plenty up his sleeve at Lingfield last time. He was entitled to need that after nine months off and should show more today.
Fountains Windfall is taking a big drop in class for Kempton’s 3.15 and is likely to go off a short price. But he has fallen on his past two outings and looks vulnerable.
That gives BALLYALTON a chance to get back to winning ways. His last success came in the Close Brothers Chase at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival but he’s only raced four times since then.
The last two of those give us hope, with a pair of excellent efforts in fourth place at Cheltenham. The most recent was in the competitive Caspian Caviar Gold Cup when he chased home Guitar Pete.
He went well and might have finished closer but for being hampered at the second-last fence. That run proves that some of his former talent is still there and this is a fair drop in quality.
On Tour can be a little hit and miss but showed his talent with a win at Aintree in December before unseating when cruising at Newbury.
He didn’t fire at Ascot last time but would have every chance at his best.
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KEMPTON
12.20 Kapdad
12.55 Secret Investor
1.30 The Tailgater
2.05 Smad Place
2.40 Diese Des Bieffes
3.15 Ballyalton
3.45 One For Billy
WARWICK
12.40 Shroughmore Lass
1.15 Azzuri
1.50 Duel At Dawn
2.25 Malapie
3.00 Mr Whipped
3.35 Missed Approach
4.05 Baby Ted
Steve Mullen's Saturday Tips
Kempton 2.40 - Diese Des Bieffes: 'Nicky Henderson's rapid improver has enough class to win this'
Kempton 3.15 - Ballyalton: 'Drop in class provides chance to get back to winning ways'
Warwick 3.35 - Missed Approach: 'Handicapper has taken a chance dropping his 6lbs for good Hennessy sixth'
WETHERBY
12.30 Quest For Life
1.05 Mortens Leam
1.40 Perseid
2.15 Bun Doran
2.50 Diamond Fort
3.25 Special Wells
3.55 So Lonely
LINGFIELD
12.15 Every Chance
12.50 Lady Perignon
1.25 Human Nature
2.00 Qaffaal
2.35 Qassem
3.10 Karam Albaari
3.40 Taste The Salt
WOLVERHAMPTON
5.45 Chelwood Gate
6.15 Dellaguista
6.45 Indian Red
7.15 Berlios
7.45 Pulsating
8.15 Cool Spirit
8.45 Global Academy
9.15 Mr Carbonator