Today’s free horse racing tips: Wincanton, Musselburgh, Southwell and Kempton – Steve Mullen’s betting preview for Wednesday, 27 February
Steve Mullen guides you through Wednesday's racing at Wincanton, Musselburgh, Southwell and Kempton
WINCANTON
1.20
CHAMPAGNE MYSTERY looked green when second at Market Rasen on Boxing Day.
He didn’t settle there and did well to be beaten less than half a length. He wouldn’t have to improve much, if at all, on that performance to get off the mark.
Chez Hans won by 12 lengths at Leicester last time after being left in front at the second-last. That was over a similar distance to this, which he stayed well.
Old Rascals did well on debut at Kempton and has had a breathing operation since being pulled up at Newbury which could help him to show his best form.
1.50
OSTUNI carries a 7lb penalty for winning well on his handicap debut at Fontwell last time out. He saw out this trip well and is coming out again just three days later looking very hard to beat.
Should this be too soon, Mr Magill could cash in.
He needed every yard of this trip when winning over course and distance last time and should run well again despite a hike in the weights.
Present From Dubai is having just his fourth outing over hurdles and is capable of improvement.
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2.20
STATISTICAL showed lots of promise in Ireland and has been found a good opening on debut for new trainer in-form Emma Lavelle. He goes back over hurdles after a chase win but looks on a fair weight and has no issues seeing out this trip.
Floresco is only 1lb higher than when finishing third at Taunton two runs ago. He didn’t match that in the mud at Exeter last time and should enjoy this ground better.
Daylami Kirk is interesting on debut for Paul Nicholls, who has dropped him back to hurdling after a couple of modest chase runs. A market move from a fair mark would be interesting.
2.50
DENTLEY DE MEE is taking a drop in class on the back of a solid fourth at Cheltenham last time out. He didn’t get the run of the race either, which did nothing for his chances. He likes this, is coming down the weights and is suited by the ground.
Chef D’Equipe is a consistent performer who comes back over fences after good hurdles runs, including when second at Leicester last time out. He is on the same mark that saw him finish a fair fifth at Aintree in December and he should be on the premises again.
Opening Batsmen likes it here and was a good third over course and distance last time. That was in a higher class than today so he should be capable of hitting the places again.
3.25
COLLOONEY barely had to get out of second gear to win at Bangor last time out.
He showed good pace for this trip and looks set to take another step forward in similar company.
There was some promise from Not So Sleepy when finishing fourth at Kempton on his hurdles debut last time out. He didn’t settle well that day and should have learned plenty from the experience.
Point Taken wasn’t asked too many questions at Huntingdon last time on his second run for the Skeltons. He should be capable of building on that.
3.55
IFANDABUT has gone up a fair 7lb for a convincing win at Exeter last time out. That came in this class and he looks capable of improvement so he should be competitive again.
Vanderbilt was down the field in that race and can figure from a reducing mark.
Passing Dream didn’t get going at Taunton last time but had earlier finished a good second at Uttoxeter. He’s had a break since which may have put him back on the right track.
4.30
TIKKAPICK is the form pick having battled on well to win at Taunton last time out over a similar distance. A 7lb penalty for that gives him a little more to do but this race doesn’t look any stronger so he should be right there again.
Bredon Hill Lad has dropped 4lb despite showing some positive signs when third at Fontwell last time out. He is way below his last winning mark and he wouldn’t be a shock winner.
5.00
MONSIEUR GIBRALTAR is one of the best horses in the point-to-point world and is interesting on this first start for his original trainer after a spell with Paul Nicholls.
He may just prefer 2m to this longer distance but still looks hard to beat.
Risk A Fine had just two rivals to beat at Fakenham last time but did it very well and looks the main threat if repeating that effort.
Creative Inerta enjoyed quick ground when winning at Exeter last time and should be competitive again.
HOTTEST IN RACING
SOUTHWELL
2.30
GORGEOUS GENERAL continues in the form of his life and made it three wins from his past four runs here last time. The trip is ideal and a 6lb penalty gives him a chance.
Piazon is a tough ride but likes it here and can hit the frame.
3.05
HARBOUR QUAY ran his best race to date when second over course and distance last time. That was his handicap debut and he goes from the same mark today.
Purple Rock had a bit in hand when scoring here latest and a 3lb rise looks fair.
3.35
GRANNY ROZ could be worth chancing in a race where none of them inspire confidence. She won a fair handicap in the soft on turf three starts ago so should like this surface.
National Glory showed positive signs at Kempton last time and likes this trip.
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4.10
WELD AL EMARAT battled well to win over course and distance last time and has been raised just 3lb, which gives him a chance of following up.
Space Bandit was impressive here last time with a five-length win but that’s led to an 8lb rise in the weights.
4.40
Given the others haven’t achieved a lot, it would be no surprise to see John Gosden’s COPPER AND FIVE win on debut. He’s bred to want further than this but this isn’t a strong race and Gosden is in good form.
Stay Forever has shown a little promise and, despite a modest effort at Kempton last time, could be the best of the rest.
5.10
SINGE DU NORD didn’t go at Kempton last time but she was beaten in a photo on her last run here in December. She’s up the weights but has strong claims.
Lexikon wasn’t beaten far to Newcastle latest and can be in the shake-up.
MUSSELBURGH
2.10 John Williams
2.40 The Very Thing
3.15 Call The Cops
3.45 Henry’s Joy
4.20 Royal Reserve
4.50 Hope’s Wishes
5.20 Shimla Dawn
KEMPTON
4.55 Joey Boy
5.30 Monarch Maid
6.00 Daring Guest
6.30 Verdana Blue
7.00 Scofflaw
7.30 Singing The Blues
8.00 Reignite
8.30 Viola Park