Channel 4 Racing Tips: Expect Martin to be in the fast Lane at HQ

Last Saturday we kept our powder dry with just one selection; not so this week, as we are shovelling it into the kegs for a wide-ranging attack on the live Channel 4 races.

Newmarket 13:50

And hopefully State Anthem will light the fuse nicely in the opener at Newmarket at 13:50.

Betting in nurseries isn't normally my style - by their very nature there are far too many unexposed horses to be confident - but there is a lot to like about Mick Channon's filly.

If you told Oriel's connections at the start of the season that she would be racing off a mark of 85 on her nursery debut, then I suspect they would have bitten your hand off. And the well-regarded filly will clearly relish the step up to 7f after being given a Ryan Moore special to get home over 5f at Windsor last time.

But she is not the one that interests me in here, it is the horse that was just under two lengths behind her at Windsor and is now a hefty 12lb better off. I think State Anthem is the best handicapped horse in here, and she has an excellent chance on the clock, too.

Cementing the bet is the fact that her run style, and her breeding, strongly suggests there is improvement to come over 7f.

Back her at 21.020/1 or bigger.

Newmarket 14:20

Hopefully, State Anthem's jockey Martin Lane will double up quickly, as I also like the look of his mount Bilash in the 14:20. Back him at 17.016/1 or bigger in this greys-only race.

The crucial thing about this horse - apart from being grey - is that he must be kept fresh, so a near-month break since a good fourth over 5f at Haydock is a positive.

He did well at Haydock considering he was pressing the pace throughout. He does tend to race prominently but he can be waited with if needs be, is only 2lb higher than when winning on his reappearance at Bath, and the step back up to 6f isn't a concern.

Newmarket 14:55

We have supported Ninjago on his last two starts, and I am convinced that he has a decent 6f handicap in him, especially after his fifth in the Stewards Cup at Goodwood last time, where he didn't get all the breaks.

But the problem with him is that most people have cottoned on to that fact now, and his price will probably reflect that in the 14:55.

I think Maid A Million will run well again, turned out quickly after his second over 7f here on Thursday, but the one I like is Secretinthepark at odds of 10.09/1 or bigger.

He is one of the more unexposed sprinters in here, and I think a 1lb rise for his decent third over course and distance to Lucky Beggar and Midnight Flower, who both re-oppose here, last month is very fair. He is stepping in the right direction, and I think he has the scope to make up into a black-type sprinter in time.

Ripon 15:30

Over to Ripon for the Great St Wilfrid Stakes at 15:30 and I very much like the look of El Viento. Back him at 15.014/1 or bigger.

The most obvious thing to say about this one is that he goes well at Ripon, having form figures of 9411 there, and just edged out Prodigality in the Silver Trophy at this meeting last season.

He has run some excellent races this season, and he really caught my eye at Goodwood last time when not getting any consistent racing daylight throughout the final furlong or so.

This is a horse that needs a sustained run to be seen at his best, and it is very interesting to note that he again comes straight from Glorious Goodwood to this meeting, as he successfully did last year.

He may not be the best handicapped horse in here, but he has a lot going for him.

Regal Parade is probably the best treated in here on his York win last season and I certainly wouldn't put anyone off backing him at 40.039/1 or bigger, but I will stick with just the one selection.

Newbury 15:50

There are also four televised races at Newbury on a very busy Channel 4 day.

I don't fancy much in the Washington Singer Stakes, and although I was half-tempted by likely outsider Genzy in the Geoffrey Freer, and surprised to see Tawhid trading at 5.59/2 in the Hungerford Stakes - he definitely would be my bet at those kind of odds, if you are playing in that race - I will instead take two against the field in the 7f handicap.

Back Glen Moss and Dance and Dance at odds of 8.07/1 or bigger respectively in the 15:50. I wouldn't back them at less than 7-1.

Now, I appreciate the shoreline is already full of punters who have followed Dance And Dance over a cliff in the past year or so, most recently when a disappointing 10th at Goodwood last time. But I don't think there is any doubt that he has a race in him off a mark of 94 judged on his troubled-in-running fourth in the Bunbury Cup.

He has probably been in more last chance saloons than Clint Eastwood, but we will have one more shot.

Glen Moss is my number one bet in the race, though. He is more straightforward, having followed up his Doncaster win with a good fourth in a valuable 7f handicap at Ascot last time.

The handicapper has played ball, keeping him on the same mark, and jockey of the moment Johnny Murtagh is a nice plus to his already solid chances.

Recommended Bets

Back State Anthem @ 21.020/1 or better - Newmarket 13:50
Back Bilash @ 17.016/1 or better - Newmarket 14:20
Back Secretinthepark @ 10.09/1 or better - Newmarket 14:55
Back El Viento @ 15.014/1 or better - Ripon 15:30
Back Dance And Dance @ 8.07/1 or better - Newbury 15:50
Back Glen Moss @ 8.07/1 or better - Newbury 15:50