Horse racings tips: three to follow at Wincanton

The Flat is back – well, for one weekend only before it disappears again.

I’m sure many enjoy the brief turf interlude between Cheltenham and Aintree but, for me, it doesn’t make sense that having made a start we then have to wait a few weeks for the next instalment. Surely an ‘opening weekend’ done on a bigger scale would serve the sport better?

Looking back at the weekend, maybe there were signs of things to come for the season ahead. Amo Racing have made changes to their operation with Raphael Freire now installed at Sir Michael Stoute’s former yard of Freemason Lodge and there also seemed to be a subtle shift in purchasing strategy, with more focus on less precocious types at last season’s yearling sales with Kia Joorabchian openly harbouring Classic aspirations for those new recruits. 

However, Amo’s rise through the ranks has been built largely around fast and early two-year-olds and they again launched a potentially exciting prospect in the Brocklesby with Norman’s Cay, trained by Richard Hannon. On quicker ground at this meeting than in previous seasons, the son of Sioux Nation needed every inch of the 5f trip to win by the narrowest of margins. 

Amo and Hannon partnered to win this race two years ago with future Coventry Stakes winner Persian Force and the pedigree of Norman’s Cay – his dam was best over a mile – coupled with the visuals strongly suggest that he too will be better still up in trip.  

Just half an hour later, the purple Amo silks were carried to success at the Curragh by Miami Destination, a two-year-old daughter of Ten Sovereigns who battled to victory in another tight finish. Amo might well be changing their modus operandi but, given these early results, it’s clear that they will still be a force to be reckoned with in the early-season juvenile contests. 

On Monday the Racing TV cameras are at Wincanton, and I have three selections. 

With just two wins from 23 starts it’s clear that Jack The Savage isn’t easy to win with - and he certainly wasn’t a straightforward conveyance in his early days – but he’s now a far more consistent performer at the age of eight and he’s at his best on a sound surface on a right-handed track. 

He travels well through his races but can often hit a flat spot when coming off the bridle before delivering some good late work so, while this extended 2m5f distance is the furthest he’s attempted, I’d be hopeful it will suit.

Jockey Sean O’Connor is good value for his 5lb claim in the context of this amateur contest and he’ll be looking to get his week off to a flyer as he attempts to go one better this year aboard Benny’s King in the Randox Foxhunter’s Chase at Aintree. 

Jackstell sets the standard here with an official rating of 113 for in-form trainer Jamie Snowden, but I think a repeat from Rascallion of either of his two previous efforts can see him overturn the favourite.

I’d argue that Rascallion ran to a superior level when runner-up on his hurdling debut at Ludlow, finishing just over two lengths behind the now 133-rated Meetmebythesea. He probably didn’t run to such a high level when falling at the last at Kempton on his next start, but he hadn’t settled so well on that occasion under a more patient ride. 

That was a heavy enough fall and a three-month absence suggests he’s taken a while to rediscover his form, though he has now switched to the care of Henrietta Knight so there can be little doubt that he’ll have plenty of chance to rebuild his jumping confidence. 

I’m always prepared to forgive a horse one poor run, so despite a poor effort when being pulled up last time at Ludlow I’m sticking with Komedy Kicks in the mares’ handicap hurdle. 

Given that all of her best form is on a sounder surface - including her four career wins - it’s entirely possible that the soft ground last time might well have significantly contributed to her poor jumping display and overall performance.

Komedy Kicks has had a month’s break so should arrive here fresh and well for trainer Dan Skelton and she is proven on this good ground. She has to prove she stays this far, but she finished strongly over 2m4f when winning at Catterick on her penultimate start. 

Harry Atkins is a rapidly improving conditional rider who in recent weeks has started to look far more accomplished in the saddle – most notably when only narrowly failing to galvanise Sail Away to victory at Warwick on Thursday – and I consider him good value for his 7lb claim.