Saturday Racing Tips: Alpha Victor looks far too big in the Midlands National this afternoon

Tony Calvin
15 March 2014

Alpha Victor runs at Uttoxeter today

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Straight off the back of a busy Cheltenham Festival, supreme tipster Tony Calvin picks a couple of horses worth your interest at Kempton and Uttoxeter this afternoon...

"Once again, it is only the price that has put me off Irish Buccaneer in the 15:15, but I can’t have the fact that Alpha Victor is the outsider at 40.039/1 in the Midlands National at 15:50."

The bad news - I'll be briefer than usual, as I am very hungover.

The good news is that I did the study-up for today's racing before I went out yesterday.

I can honestly say that I never seen a man so dejected as the Racing Post's Betting Editor Paul Kealy after the Grand Annual yesterday.

Kealy didn't mince his words in the trade paper yesterday when tipping Next Sensation - it was 8-1 but he thought it a certainty - and I think it is fair to say that, when the revised dictionary is published next year, under the word "deflated" there will be a picture of him ruefully sucking on a cigarette in Ganley's in Morden circa 5.30pm looking as if the world was just about to end.

I think it is fair to say that he wasn't impressed by the ride the horse was given, but he was too polite to mention it.

But I think he may have after he then proceeded to do his absolutes playing poker. Who'd be a punter?

Well, hopefully, us today as I think Tante Sisse has an excellent chance in the 14:20 at Kempton, and she looks worth a small interest at 4.77/2.

Alan King had a decent Cheltenham with a win for Midnight Prayer and near misses with Uxizandre and Montbazon. Tante Sisse won a handicap hurdle off this mark a couple of seasons ago, and has run far better than her form figures would indicate this season, ruining her chance with a mistake at Wincanton and then emptying out quickly when switched to hurdles at Sandown last month.

But the stable was under a cloud then, and I think she rates a very solid favourite in the drying conditions.

It has been no surprise that there has been plenty of money for Pure Style in the 14:05 at Uttoxeter, but it is disappointing all the same as his price has shortened too much for me to get involved.

Once again, it is only the price that has put me off Irish Buccaneer in the 15:15, but I can't have the fact that Alpha Victor is the outsider at 40.039/1 in the Midlands National at 15:50.

He reverts to fences after an 11-length win over hurdles in heavy ground last time, and that is the obvious concern given he refused at the first in a Warwick handicap chase previously.

But he is a grinder and is so well-treated - he races off an 8lb lower mark than his rating over hurdles - and has good ground form too, so he has to be worth a shot at the odds.

I will continue on the King theme and have a saver on West End Rocker at 15.014/1.

He hasn't been out for over a year but reappears off a good mark, has won a valuable 3m5f chase at Warwick in the mud in the past and a Becher, but has good ground form too. If fresh and well - and he has gone well off a break - he looks set to run a big race.

I'm off for a lie down before the rugby. Be lucky.

Recommended Bets

Back Tante Sisse at 4.77/2 in the 14:20 at Kempton
Back Alpha Victor at 40.039/1 in the 15:50 at Uttoxeter
Back West End Rocker at 15.014/1 in the 15:50 at Uttoxeter

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