The Daily Star’s Chief Tipster Jason Heavey reckons Arian Keatley’s sprinter can return to winning ways at Catterick on Wednesday
HAVE a Fran-tastic day by backing FRANCISCO’S PIECE (5.05, nb) in the racingtv.com Handicap at Catterick on Wednesday.
The bare form statistics of the four-year-old’s five races last year of 50005 may not encourage, or the fact that he has raced 13 times since his only two victories that came during his juvenile year.
However, a delve behind that shows Adrian Keatley’s charge has been racing in much better company.
His last outing came in Class 2 company at Doncaster 165 days ago when an eye-catching fifth, less than three lengths behind the winner Smart Vision.
And anything like a repeat of that should ensure this son of Mayson sees off his eight rivals today.
At Kempton, I like the chances of CRYINGINTHERAIN (7.30, trb) in the Every Saturday Money Back Handicap over six furlongs.
This Havana Grey filly has improved a chunk with each of her three runs, bagging a six-furlong all-weather novice at Lingfield 98 days ago.
And on her handicap debut, I’m expecting better still from Billy Loughnane’s mount.
Today’s top selection is SPENDMORE LANE (2.57, nap) in the Four Legged Friend Aporil 26th Handicap at Nottingham.
Trained by David Loughnane, the four-year-old has benefited from the fitting of eyeshields this year.
Another son of Mayson, he readily supplemented a breakthrough Chelmsford success at Wolverhampton on his penultimate start.
His last outing was hindered by rearing badly, but better behaviour today can bring its reward.
Also in the East Midlands, have an enjoyable experience with EXTRATERRESTRIAL (3.32) in the Family Funday 31st May Handicap, where a switch to turf may well find enough improvement to break his duck.
Simon and Ed Crisford’s youngster has improved with each of his four runs on the all-weather to date, most recently finishing a close-up third at Lingfield over an extended nine furlongs.
He steps up a furlong for his transition to the grass and is also fitted with headgear for the first time.
Wednesday tips
NOTTINGHAM
1.17 Bay Royale
1.47 Tornado Tower
2.22 Greek Street
2.57 Spendmore Lane (nap)
3.32 Extraterrestrial
4.07 Gladiadora
4.40 Bird Of War
5.10 Mighty Quiet
CATTERICK
1.38 Running Cool
2.13 Contorno
2.48 North Force
3.23 Hostility
3.58 Tupero
4.33 Eagles Whistle
5.05 Francisco’s Piece (nb)
5.38 Fizzy Cristal
FONTWELL
2.30 Hardly Surprising
3.05 Lyle View
3.40 Hawaii Du Mestivel
4.15 Vendant
4.47 Wellwillya
5.17 Tommy Dillon
KEMPTON
5.00 Light Of Paris
5.30 Go Rimbaud
6.00 Get Outta Here
6.30 Margorie
7.00 Rastnet
7.30 Cryingintherain (trb)
8.00 Watermelon Sugar
8.30 Take The Boat
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