Free horse racing tips for today: Chelmsford, Ludlow, Southwell and Carlisle – The Wizard of Odds’ betting preview for Thursday, October 25
The Wizard of Odds guides you through Thursday's racing at Chelmsford, Ludlow, Southwell and Carlisle
ZABEEL STAR can shine in Carlisle’s 4.10.
The six-year-old came back to hurdling after a long spell on the Flat looking like a different horse. He stormed away from his rivals to win by six lengths here — and he barely got out of second gear to secure the victory.
Because that was a conditional riders’ race, his mark has been left alone — and his excellent rider can claim his 3lb for good measure.
The slightly longer trip is no issue and we know he has no issues with this tough track. That victory was just his second run over timber so there should be a lot more to come.
WHIN PARK looks hard to beat in Ludlow’s 2.45.
He was useful over hurdles and has taken well to chasing on his two outings over the bigger obstacles.
COUNTER ATTACK Top class colt Cross Counter all set for Melbourne Cup assault
He was a distant fifth on Huntingdon on debut before finishing a lot closer at the same track last time out.
Huntingdon is a flat course and Ludlow is another galloping track which should suit.
You would expect plenty of improvement at this early stage of his career and Richard Johnson is a good booking for the yard.
MINELLO FIVEO (4.00 Southwell) came back from a breathing operation to improve in second place at Carlisle last time out – behind today’s best bet Zabeel Star.
He jumped well and travelled nicely until coming up second best in the closing stages.
He goes off the same mark here, although he’s effectively 2lb lower because of his rider’s claim.
This trip is fine and the track should suit so it wouldn’t take much more to come home in front.
Wizard's top tips
EACH-WAY DOUBLE: CYBALKO (2.20 Southwell) comes from the yard that won this 12 months ago and has been brought along nicely for this contest. Pair him with ANGE DES MALBERAUX (3.40 Carlisle) who has won three of his past four and battled well to strike at Perth last time.
TOP TEAM: Adam Kirby has a 60% win strike-rate when riding for Robert Stephens. They team up with ESPRESSO FREDDO (7.15 Chelmsford).
IN-FORM: Three of Oliver Sherwood’s past four runners won. He has WORKING CLASS in the 4.25 at Ludlow today.
RENWICK (1.55 Carlisle) showed promise when sixth on his bumper debut before finishing a solid second at Towcester on his first run over hurdles last time out.
He let the winner have first run and wasn’t knocked about too much. The experience should bring him on and this doesn’t look any tougher.
Towcester is a stamina-sapping track like Carlisle and he appeared to see out this distance well last time out.
EARLY RETIREMENT (2.55 Southwell) finished well over 2m4f when third at Huntingdon last time out so this 3m should bring out the best in him.
He was a winner the last time he ran here and, despite being 8lb higher in the weights now, looks to have improved a little since then.
This race doesn’t look any tougher than his last assignment so another big run is on the cards.
CARLISLE
1.55 Renwick
2.30 Stowaway Magic
3.05 Maire Banrigh
3.40 Ange Des Malberaux ew
4.10 ZABEEL STAR (NAP)
4.45 One Night In Milan
5.20 Too Much Too Soon
LUDLOW
2.10 That’s A Given
2.45 Whin Park
3.20 Pique Rock
3.50 Hoke Colburn
4.25 Cock A Doodle Do
5.00 McGroarty
SOUTHWELL
2.20 Cybalko ew
2.55 Early Retirement
3.30 Vinnie Lewis
4.00 Minella Fiveo
4.35 Royal Ruby
5.10 Larkbarrow Lad
CHELMSFORD
5.15 Calling The Wind
5.45 Red October
6.15 Fragrant Dawn
6.45 Envisaging
7.15 Espresso Freddo
7.45 Dark Profit
8.15 Fieldsman
8.45 Keltie