Racing News

Joe Perry has just one major ranking title to his name, The Players’ Championship Grand Final in 2015, but despite failing to progress beyond the last 32 in the Northern Ireland Open, the UK Championship and the Scottish Open, “The Gentleman” looked on good terms with himself when thrashing former world champion Stuart Bingham 6-1 in his first round match in the Masters at Alexandra Palace.

Perry, 42, made breaks of 116, 107, 77 and 76 to ease past Bingham and set up a quarter final meeting with Ding Junhui – whom he beat, for his first Masters win, last year – on Friday evening. By his own admission, the world number 9 has endured a frustrating time of late, but looked at least as good as ever in his opening match and looks a sporting wager at 25/1 to collect his second major ranking title. Ding ended a six-year losing streak at the Masters when beating Kyren Wilson 6-3 in his opening match, but can blow a little hot and cold and, when cold, colder than most.

Selection: Joe Perry to win outright (25/1 with Bet365)

In the S.V. Rutter Handicap (4.50) at Newcastle on Tuesday, the fact that connections reach for a first-time visor on George Cinq is a slight cause for concern, but Michael Bell’s 5-year-old doesn’t appear to have any problems with his attitude, despite finishing second on his last three starts. The son of Pastoral Pursuits remains 6lb higher in the weights than when winning a 0-85 contest, over a mile, at Ascot last July, but his recent form suggests that he is by no means impossibly handicapped.

In fact, the way in which he stayed on in the closing stages when third, beaten a length, in what looked a much more competitive race for the grade, over 7 furlongs at Doncaster just over a week ago suggested that a stiffer test of stamina would suit him. Newmarket trainer Michael Bell has a respectable 6-28 (21%) strike rate overall at Newcastle during the last five seasons, but is 0-6 with older horses in that period, so the statistics are not as favourable as they first appear. Nevertheless, George Cinq is usually a reliable sort and deserves some reward for his consistency.

Selection: Newcastle 4.50 George Cinq to win   Tipster: David

In the Time For Tea Cup Handicap (1.55) at Bath on Monday, Emily Davison is clearly no world beater, but was only just touched off, after trying to make all, in a 0-70 contest at Brighton last week and can make amends off the same handicap mark. Indeed, the Moss Vale filly is just 1lb higher in the weights than when winning, in the grade, on the Polytrack at Chelmsford City three starts ago, so could prove difficult to peg back.

Her Chelmsford win was her first for twelve starts, but she ran creditably in defeat on more than occasion last season off handicap marks in the sixties, so it’d difficult to argue that she’s not, at least, reasonably handicapped. She’s yet to win on firm going, but won a couple of times on good going last summer, when in the care of Karen Tutty, and ran well on good to firm going last week, so she should be effective on it. She’s also won over 5 furlongs at Hamilton, so the stiff, uphill finish at Bath should play to her strengths.

The presence of rising star Oisin Murphy in the saddle can only be a positive and she seems sure to be popular at the 7/2 available in the very early price lists.

Selection: Bath 1.55 Emily Davison to win          Tipster: David

Making a ‘confident’ selection in a handicap may be a little unwise but, in the Weddings at Western House Hotel Handicap (3.30) at Ayr on Monday, Al Khan looks to have had his enthusiasm rekindled by the switch to David O’Meara (as horses often do) and he looks capable of defying a 6lb penalty. The Elnadim gelding recorded a career-best effort when staying on to lead close home in a 0-90 contest, over 7 furlongs, at Catterick last Wednesday and a repeat performance would probably be good enough anyway.

However, the 6-year-old is entitled to improve for the Catterick run – his first for the yard and his first since September – so, dropping back to 0-85 company, he appears to have an outstanding chance, handicap or not. He’s done all his winning on good to firm or good going and has won over 7 furlongs on the straight course at Leicester, so the return to a galloping track shouldn’t cause him any problems, in terms of stamina.

The North Yorkshire trainer has a respectable 13-60 (22%) strike rate with his older horses at Ayr over the last five seasons so, all in all, Al Khan has plenty going for him. At 3/1 in the early price lists, he looks decent value to complete a quick-fire double.

Selection: Ayr 3.30 Al Khan to win  Tipster: David