Horse racing tips: Best bet for the Sky Bet Sunday Series

Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023

The next fixture in the popular Sky Bet Sunday series takes place at Haydock this weekend, with a competitive seven-race card to get stuck into at the Merseyside venue.

There is some brilliant prize money on offer in each contest, and every race will be shown live on Racing TV.

To find out more about the Sky Bet Sunday series, head over to our dedicated hub - visit here - where you will find information about the bonus prizes on offer, a race-by-race guide, in-depth racecards plus much more.

Sadly, two of my three selections are now non-runners, but I am hoping Celtic Empress strikes at double-figure odds in the 6.15. Best of luck.

3.45 Haydock: Colombe each-way at a general 20-1

This filly thrived when completing back-to-back wins on good ground following a wind op at the start of this season and, although she has run below-par on two of her past three starts, both of those disappointing efforts came on fast ground, which doesn’t appear to suit.

She produced a career-best performance when runner-up in a 0-90 handicap on her penultimate start, an outing which proved she is capable of being competitive at a higher level, and she runs off the same mark here.

Liam Wright, who has ridden three winners plus finished placed nine times from 26 rides this year, takes off a handy 5lb, and although his mount can be a sluggish starter, there looks set to be plenty of pace on, which will suit the hold-up performers.

The ground should not pose a problem for Colombe this time and she is worth chancing at 20-1.

6.15 Haydock: Celtic Empress each-way at 20-1 with Bet365

Finished: 8thSP: 16/1

An overall consistent handicapper who caught the eye off a pound higher mark in the Kensington Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot two starts ago where she was forced to switch before staying on strongly.

She has since run below-par at Chester, but she raced exuberantly throughout and an extended ten furlongs would have stretched her stamina, so it is no surprise to see her swiftly returned to a mile.

Heather Main’s charge should be able to get some cover from stall seven and while the selection is a pound above her last winning mark, a repeat of her Royal Ascot effort will see her be competitive here, with Hollie Doyle a positive jockey booking.

6.45 Haydock: Frankenstella each-way at a general 11-1

Run For Oscar certainly looks the one to beat following his eye-catching run at the Curragh, but a chance is taken on Frankenstella who produced her best performance when successful in a 0-100 handicap over this course and distance last year.

The five-year-old only raced once afterwards before enduring a lengthy absence but returned with a promising run that she would have needed then third in a useful staying handicap at York.

Although the bounce factor is a slight concern, she has had 87 days to recover from those exertions and the John Quinn team have been in decent form over the past fortnight.

She has progressed throughout her career and a rating of 87 is unlikely to be the ceiling of her ability, plus has already attracted some support in the market.

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