Stratford Racing Tips

Those that we have already seen over hurdles have barely delivered much encouragement for their future over timber, so it might be worth siding with one of the hurdling debutants in Tuesday’s opener. Graeme MacPherson’s mare came from another parish to score first time out on the polytrack at Lingfield, before maintaining that level of form on the turf, recording Racing Post Ratings of 100+ in each of her four starts. Last time out she was a strong finishing second behind a winner that was allowed first run. That conqueror went on to follow up next time, so the form looks solid. If her jumping holds up, Pop The Champagne should be involved in the finish.

This one has been in good form over the spring and heads here off the back of a good win at Fontwell. He was probably better value than his two length victory, cruising into contention before going away at the last. The handicapper has given him another 5lb for that victory, but the way he won that day suggests he’s still ahead of a mark of 86. By Dawn Approach, he’s bred to win top contests on the Flat, however, it appears as though the penny has finally dropped over timber and can take another step forward here. Tabitha Worsley claims 5lb.

Nicky Henderson is operating at an impressive strike-rate of 39% in the last four weeks, so attention must be paid to anything he’s sending out in this warmer days. Hooper has, in part, been responsible for that top record, winning his third race on the bounce last month at today’s venue. In the first two on all eight starts in the past two seasons, the son of Rip Van Winkle drops in class here, for all that he is up 4lb in the handicap. Tuesday’s race sees him drop in trip, but that shouldn’t be an inconvenience having shown plenty of toe in recent outings. The partnership with 7lb claimer Ben Ffrench Davis looks to be a winning one, and it could be that a hat-trick of handicap victories for the pair is in store.

His last win came in June 2019 but that was off a mark of 105. Now running off 91, Jamie Snowden’s 10yo could now get competitive in events like this. He ran well last time out, finishing fourth of 13 at Uttoxeter. He hit a bit of a flat spot after the 11th before staying on well again, so he may well come on for the run. Jamie Snowden has had a winner and a third from just three runners at Stratford this season and this one can bolster those figures. Auld Sod was a good winner at Ffos Las last time and looks the main danger.