Horse Racing Tips on Monday, March 28
There are three meetings spread across Britain on Monday, March 28th with the action coming from Hexham, Ludlow and Newcastle. Our expert tipster has produced their top tips across the cards, which make up our advised Monday Lucky 15.
Serious Ego (1:00 Hexham)
The return to Class 4 company should see SERIOUS EGO go close in Hexham’s opening handicap contest for Nicky Richards and jockey Sean Quinlan.
Formerly with Gordon Elliot, the nine-year-old got off the mark on the fifth start for current connections with a taking display at Haydock last season, staying on resolutely in the closing stages to record a wide-margin success off a mark of 110.
Returning from a seven-month break, Serious Ego ran respectably over course and distance from a 6lb higher mark when finishing runner-up the well-treated Romeo Brown, however, Nicky Richards’ charge has struggled in his latest outings against Class 3 opponents, including when failing to get competitive at Market Rasen in a three runner event last month.
Back down in class on Monday afternoon, the nine-year-old is now 1lb lower than when last visiting the winner’s enclosure and in a fairly modest handicap, Serious Ego makes plenty of appeal at the weights and rates a confident selection.
Monday Lucky 15 Tips. Nicky Richards can land the Hexham opener with the well-handicapped Serious Ego.
Augharue (2:40 Hexham)
AUGHARUE has seemingly been brought along with handicaps in mind and it wouldn’t be a total surprise to see the five-year-old step up considerably on his opening hurdle outings on Monday.
After displaying some promise in two bumper runs at the start of the season, Augharue ran a highly encouraging race on hurdling debut at Kelso in February, pulling 33l clear of his nearest pursuer and only finding the market leader Bella Bluesky too good on his first outing over timber.
Returning to the Scottish venue last time out, the five-year-old finished a well-beaten third on the second hurdle outing, however, that run can be easily excused considering it came on unsuitable testing ground.
Lining up on Monday on handicap debut from a mark of 102, Augharue should appreciate the return to a sounder surface and with a step up in trip looking likely to suit the former point-to-pointer, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the five-year-old improve markedly and get off the mark.
Real Steel (3:30 Ludlow)
The handicapper has dropped REAL STEEL to a mark of 137 and although this former Grade 2 winner has shown little in his recent starts for champion trainer Paul Nicholls, the nine-year-old looks difficult to ignore now contesting in Class 3 company.
Formerly with Willie Mullins, Real Steel posted some notable performances when housed in Ireland, winning Grade 2 events at Down Royal and Thurles before running a tremendous race in the 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup to finish sixth on the final start for previous connections.
Since making the move across the Irish Sea, Real Steel has failed to scale those lofty heights in six starts for Paul Nicholls and has failed to complete on three of his last five starts on British soil.
Although his recent form figures are uninspiring to say the least, the talented nine-year-old now finds himself dangerously well treated and if first-time cheekpieces have the desired effect on Monday, Paul Nicholls’ charge could bounce back to form and is certainly worth supporting at the prices.
Real Steel is worth supporting in Ludlow’s feature contest on Monday for trainer Paul Nicholls.
Kodebreaker (8:00 Newcastle)
KODEBREAKER only appeared on track three times as a two-year-old and despite failing to get off the mark on each occasion, Kevin Ryan’s charge still hinted that he possesses plenty of ability and could fair significantly better now returning for his three-year-old campaign on handicap debut.
After attracting plenty of market support on debut at Beverley last April, Kodebreaker was fancied to get off the mark at the second attempt at Pontefract but ultimately could never land a telling blow after being slowly away and racing in the rear for the majority of the 6f contest.
On final start as a two-year-old, Kodebreaker returned to Pontefract and although proving no match for the 100 rated Eldrickjones in maiden company, Kevin Ryan’s runner travelled noticeably well turning for home but lost all winning chance when badly hampered in the closing stages and ultimately finished heavily eased under jockey Shane Gray.
Officially rated 63, Kodebreaker should enjoy a productive season for connections this year and with the three-year-old being related to several all-weather winners, Newcastle’s surface should suit Kevin Ryan’s lightly raced charge and he is certainly worth chancing on seasonal return.
Monday Racing Tips. Kevin Ryan can get amongst the winners at Newcastle with Kodebreaker.