Channel 4 Racing Tips: Newmarket runner Ninja can stun the market at a big price

Racehorse Owners Association president Rachel Hood last month told her industry audience that a record level of prize-money of £120 million was a realistic target for British racing in 2014.

Well, when you get four runners for a six-figure winner's prize for a race such as the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes - it only attracted a pitiful five runners at the five day stage so it could have been much worse - it is pretty easy to roll the eyes at such comments.

But at least three of the quartet bring Group 1 winning form to the table - and the other, Purr Along, was a neck second to Certify in the May Hill last season - so it is undoubtedly a high-class renewal.

Whether it is a decent betting medium is open to debate - you get the impression tactics will go a long way to deciding the winner - and the same is true of the 8-runner Group 2 fillies race at 14:10, which is effectively a match-up between Rizeena and Bye Bye Birdie, unless one of the others improves the best part of 10lb.

I can't see a bet in either race.

Newmarket, 15:15 
But luckily the 20-runner 6f handicap at 15:15 does throw up a decent betting opportunity in the shape of Ninjago.

I half-fancied him to run a decent race at big odds when stepped up to 7f in the Jersey, and to be honest he probably did just that in finishing eighth. 

Granted, he was beaten 7 lengths, but when he made his move just inside the 2f pole I thought for a moment that he was going to get competitive. Instead, his run just flattened out in the final furlong.

Back over 6f in a strongly run race, I can see him travelling powerfully in behind, before Richard Hughes unleashes his telling turn of foot. Let's hope he gets the same response that he did when very impressive in winning a listed race over this trip at Ascot in May.

Interestingly, the handicapper has dropped him 2lb since the Jersey, and that is quite a nice little bonus for connections. I will be looking to back him at 13.012/1 or bigger and sticking in an in-running lay at 3.02/1.

York, 14:25 
There could also be some punting mileage in siding with Ladies Are Forever in the 14:25 at York.

As seemingly with all these Group race sprints these days, getting an accurate handle on the form is very difficult.

But there was more promise in the selection's fifth at Haydock last time then perhaps the formbook tells - she was eventually well beaten, admittedly, but she didn't get the clearest of runs throughout the closing stages - and hopefully connections have been teeing her up for this race ever since her convincing listed race win on the all-weather in March.

Indeed, after that win, this race was name-checked by connections as a target down the line, perhaps not surprisingly given that she arguably posted her best performance when winning it two years ago.

Blinkers are on for the first time here, which can be construed as a negative, or a last resort, given her relatively modest recent form - she has been working well at home in them though - but she is worth chancing at the likely double figure odds. Back her at 17.016/1 or bigger.

Recommended Bets

Back Ninjago at 13.012/1 or bigger in the 15:15 at Newmarket
Back Ladies Are Forever at 17 or bigger in the 14:25 at York