Horse Racing Tips on Monday, May 2
There are five meetings spread across the UK on Monday 2nd May, with the bank holiday action coming from Bath, Beverley, Kempton, Warwick and Windsor. There is also a competitive eight-race card over in Ireland at the Curragh featuring Group and Listed contests. Our expert editor has produced their top tips across the cards, which make up our advised Monday Lucky 15.
Jungle Bee (2.06 Beverley)
Although winless in eight starts, JUNGLE BEE has hinted in the past that he is more than capable of making his mark in sprint handicaps and after shaping very much in need of his return to action at Ripon back in late April, the three-year-old should strip fitter and can belatedly get off the mark on Monday afternoon.
Despite his questionable form figures, excuses can be made for the majority of the three-year-olds below-par performances last season. Unable to cope with the soft ground on his two visits to York, Jungle Bee was also drawn widest of all when trailing home at Chester last September.
Promising efforts at Thirsk, Redcar and Catterick indicate that he possesses plenty of ability on his day and now operating from a career-low mark of 67, Jungle Bee is certainly not one to underestimate in search of his first win as he drops into Class 5 company.
Jungle Bee (left) can open his account at Beverley on Monday afternoon.
Tanmawwy (3.26 Windsor)
The majority of the eleven-strong field are exposed at this level, however, that comment certainly doesn’t apply to TANMAWWY who has only been seen twice in public.
As a juvenile, Tanmawwy only made it to the track once, which came in a six-furlong novice event at Haydock back in September 2020. Sent off at 4/1 under Jim Crowley, Charlie Hills’ charge wasn’t the quickest into stride but soon made stylish headway to lead before quickening away in the style of an above-average individual.
Despite that eye-catching introduction, Tanmawwy failed to appear as a three-year-old and didn’t make his second racecourse outing until last month. Returning from a 575-day absence at Leicester, the four-year-old ran desperately in need of his return to action following his mammoth layoff – pulling extremely hard for the majority of the seven-furlong contest before ultimately finishing sixth.
A mark of 82 could seriously underestimate Tanmawwy as he makes his handicap debut on Monday afternoon, and with William Buick taking the ride for the very first time, the four-year-old should take plenty of beating.
Tanmawwy (left) has untapped potential for Charlie Hills and can record another success.
Gear Up (4.05 Curragh)
The Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes is the highlight on Monday’s card and despite the seven runners, it appears to be a wide-open affair. Five of the field met in the Group 3 Alleged Stakes last month over course and distance where Lafayette came from last to first to record a sixth career victory for trainer Noel Meade.
Many will expect the five-year-old to confirm the form, however, the eye was very much drawn to GEAR UP when making his stable debut in that same contest and Joseph O’Brien’s latest recruit will be expected to return to winning ways. Formerly trained by Mark Johnston, the Teofilo colt won three of his four starts as a juvenile including the Group 3 Acomb at York and notably the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud.
Unable to make an impact in his four starts during his three-year-old campaign, Gear Up returned to form following a 276-day break on his first start on Irish soil. Racing in mid-division on that occasion, the four-year-old took closer order with three furlongs to go, however, Joesph O’Brien’s charge struggled to find a gap in the closing stages and was forced to challenge late after all winning chance had gone.
Gear Up should improve markedly for that seasonal return and looks to have every chance of reversing the form with those in front, especially if granted more luck in running.
Gear Up (centre left yellow cap) on the way to winning the Acomb Stakes at York.
Golden Dove (5:10 Windsor)
GOLDEN DOVE may be the outsider of the field at the current time of writing, however, there is plenty to like about the chances of the four-year-old following her first start for trainer Simon Earle.
Previously housed with North Yorkshire handler Tim Easterby, the filly was highly tried last season and although unable to get her head in front during her three-year-old season, Golden Dove still shaped with promise and found the frame on several occasions at trips around ten and twelve furlongs.
Making her stable debut at Windsor following a 175-day break, Golden Dove travelled noticeably well towards the head of the field over the extended 1m3f but ultimately faded out of contention inside the final couple of furlongs where a lack of a recent run ultimately took its toll on the filly.
Not beaten far at the line, she wasn’t given a hard time by jockey Tom Queally after all chance had gone and with the slight drop in trip in her favour on Monday, the four-year-old might get her own way in front and a big run wouldn’t come as a surprise if taking another step forward following her promising reappearance.