Hungerford Day

Professional tipster Ben Merritt gives his thoughts on today's racing...

2.55 Ripon - GRANT WOOD 10/1 (NAP)

GRANT WOOD won this race with ease in 2024, rated 80, and in my opinion has been laid out for it all season. I actually fancied him for the main race, Great St Wilfred, last year when rated 84, but he was poorly drawn and even more poorly ridden. He begun this year with 2 wins on the all weather, rated 74 and 76, but has been, largely, disappointing since. His best runs on turf this year have come at this track though, when 2nd over C&D off a mark of 82 and again when a clear non trier last time out, when he's have gone very close had he even been pushed out in the closing stages. The 1-2 of that race last time out, now dominate the market in the feature after this, and this lad is lining up here off the same mark of 77. That is 3lb lower than for his win in this and being drawn between the two pace horses ought to be perfect for getting a good toe in. As I mentioned on Thursday, Jason Hart has a brilliant record when riding for the yard and this horse looks to have an outstanding chance given his double digit odds.

2.35 Newbury - GREAT ACCLAIM 4/1 (Next Best)

3 of the last 4 winners of this have come here straight from the International, 7f handicap, at Ascot and GREAT ACCLAIM is one of two runners in this years field, looking to complete the feat once more. In contrast to the previous sprint, this race ought to be won by a horse racing handy and the fact that this lad is back in the blinkers, from a visor which has been worn the last 4 times, looks significant. Especially when you take into account that his form in blinkers reads 112242. A course winner, he is still rated 7lb higher than for his last win, but has run some massive races in defeat, including when only beaten half a length in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot, rated just 1lb lower. With Eve having her horses in fine form, it looks significant that Charlie Bishop is here at Newbury instead of riding a very promising juvenile at Newmarket.

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