Horse Racing Tips on Monday, February 28
There are just three meetings across Britain on Monday, February 28th with the action coming from Carlisle, Plumpton and Wolverhampton. Our editor has picked out four selections across the cards which make up our Monday Lucky 15.
Skyhill (3:20 Carlisle)
A 6lb rise in the weights might not be enough to prevent another bold showing from SKYHILL who got back to winning ways at this course earlier in the month, making most under jockey Brian Hughes to run out a comfortable winner.
The nine-year-old was well supported in the market on that occasion and despite being unruly in the preliminaries, Skyhill was foot-perfect throughout the 3mile contest and was certainly value for the 1l winning margin.
A step back up to 3m2f shouldn’t pose any problems considering Skyhill won over that trip earlier in his career at Sedgefield and there should be more to come from a mark of 90 with Brian Hughes maintaining the partnership.
The Navigator (3:55 Carlisle)
THE NAVIGATOR could be a leading player in this modest handicap hurdle on return after wind surgery. Dianne Sayers’ charge has only won twice over timber but has often hinted that he possesses plenty of ability with the way he goes through his races.
Known more for his exploits on the flat, The Navigator was last seen in October contesting a Class 3 handicap hurdle and although he was beaten by a wide margin in eighth, the seven-year-old travelled well approaching three from home and looked ready to mount a challenge before folding tamely.
A recent wind operation could bring about a change in fortunes and having run well fresh after a layoff in the past, The Navigator makes plenty of appeal on his return to hurdles now lining up against significantly weaker opposition in Class 5 company.
Downtown Getaway (4:30 Carlisle)
Peter Bowen is a rare visitor to Carlisle on Monday afternoon, only previously sending a couple of runners to the Cumbrian course.
The trainer sends two at the start of the week and perhaps his best chance lies with DOWNTOWN GETAWAY who should have more to come over fences on just his sixth start for the yard after transferring over from Willie Mullins’ yard.
The nine-year-old was in need of his first two starts for the yard at Sedgefield and Chepstow, including when finishing third behind Donald McCain’s progressive chaser Minella Trump on stable debut.
However, Downtown Getaway was quick to make his mark over the larger obstacles on the third start when staying on best of all to defeat Party Fuzz over an intermediate trip at Ffos Las back in December.
A line can be drawn through his most recent outing at Plumpton as Peter Bowen’s charge clearly didn’t handle the tight track and drop in drip and he makes plenty of appeal returning to a stiff track such as Carlisle with the prospect of more to come.
Camacho Man (8:30 Wolverhampton)
Million Reasons will be expected to complete the hattrick in this class 6 contest and whilst he is the clear form choice, David Evans’ runner has yet to win over 7f and that could leave him vulnerable under a recent penalty.
At the likely prices, it’s worth paying close attention to CAMACHO MAN in the market as he makes just his third appearance for trainer Tony Carroll. Formerly with Jennie Candlish, the five-year-old was tried at a variety of trips for previous connections including over 1m6f.
However, since joining Tony Carroll, Camacho Man has been campaigned over significantly shorter distances but has shown enough in two starts for the yard that he has what it takes to shed his maiden tag, catching the eye on both occasions at Brighton and Bath over 7f and 1mile.
There has been a fair amount of support in the betting for the five-year-old on his last two starts and with Camacho Man running well fresh in the past, Tony Carroll’s charge could go well on seasonal return with Luke Morris set to ride.