Horse Racing Tips: Backing progressive Box could prove the Clever move

Newbury, 14.55 - Back Box Clever each-way @ 15/28.50

9 (7)

Box Clever

• J: Joe Leavy
• T: Jonathan Portman
• F: 63143-2

• SBK 17/2
• EXC 15.5

There was a lot to like in the seasonal reappearance of Box Clever who narrowly failed to make a winning comeback at Nottingham behind Valkyrie Storm back in April.

Not seen since that outing, Jonny Portman's Zoustar filly raced wide from a high draw that day which made her effort even more commendable given the first five home were drawn 6-10-3-1-2.

The handicapper let the performance go largely unnoticed, raising the selection just a pound for an effort which was arguably better than the bare detail and a return to Newbury could see her record a second career win following her success at Salisbury last summer.

Portman has enjoyed a terrific first half of the season and Box Clever could add to those gains in a highly winnable race at the Berkshire venue.

Nottingham, 15.42 - Back On The River @ 8/19.00

6 (8)

On The River

• J: P. J. McDonald
• T: Harriet Bethell
• F: 85642-527

• SBK 8/1
• EXC 9

Connections of On The River could be excused for performing a rain dance ahead of their gelding's bid for a 12th career win in this Class 4 handicap.

Showers are forecast for Colwick Park and any significant rain would see the son of Heeraat become a solid pick for a race which should be run to suit.

The selection's stats on easy ground stand at an impressive 10 victories from 27 starts, while his strike-rate on a synthetic surface or ground which rides good or faster drops to an extremely modest strike rate of three per cent with just a sole success from 31 outings.

Clearly, underfoot conditions are crucial to On The River who has been sparingly campained to date this season following a highly commendable comeback in the Spring Mile at Doncaster, where he finished just five lengths in arears of Mezcala on Town Moor, with a number of subsequent winners in behind.

This event looks a more straightforward task than On The River has faced in recent times and this course and distance winner would make plenty of appeal if conditions deteriorated markedly.

Now read Katie Midwinter's latest horse racing tips here