Horse Racing Tips on Saturday, April 30
There are six meetings spread across the UK on Saturday, April 30th with the action coming from Doncaster, Goodwood, Hexham, Newmarket, Thirsk and Uttoxeter. Our expert editor has produced their top tips across this weekend’s cards, which make up our advised Saturday Lucky 15.
Blackrod (1.50 Newmarket)
BLACKROD could well be the next sprinting star to follow out of the Michael Dods yard. The stable has long been associated with progressive sprinters including the likes of Mabs Cross and Commanche Falls in recent seasons and lightly-raced four-year-old Blackrod seems to be heading down a similar path.
A ready winner of a novice event at Hamilton as a juvenile, the progressive colt finished runner-up in a valuable handicap at York on his second start as a three-year-old before completing back to back victories in Class 2 company at Newmarket and back on the Knavesmire.
Third to a pair of useful and experienced handicappers on his final start in the Ayr Silver Cup last September, Blackrod still ran admirably and was beaten less than two lengths behind Soldier’s Minute and Staxton. Rated 95, connections will be confident the returning four-year-old can land another big handicap on Saturday before heading down the Pattern route as the season unfolds.
Blackrod (red) is expected to improve plenty this season for county Durham handler Michael Dods.
On A Session (2.05 Thirsk)
It’s no surprise that connections have aimed ON A SESSION once again at the Thirsk Hunt Cup this weekend after running a mighty race to finish fourth in last year’s renewal.
Racing off 92 on that occasion, On A Session was beaten just two lengths at the line and considering that was just his second start for trainer David Barron, it was an effort that certainly caught the eye.
However, the useful handicapper has found winning difficult since racing on British soil but is generally a consistent individual, reaching the frame in five of his twelve starts for current connections.
The six-year-old hinted at a return to winning ways when finishing second when last seen, splitting market principles Dingle and Totally Charming in a competitive handicap at Lingfield earlier this month.
2lb lower than when finishing fourth in this contest twelve months ago, On A Session is weighted to go close this weekend and connections will be hoping the six-year-old can deservedly get his head in front.
Wor Willie (3.20 Thirsk)
WOR WILLIE benefitted for stepping up in trip last season and the lightly raced four-year-old could be feasibly treated from his current mark of 70 as he makes his seasonal reappearance this weekend.
Only seen on the track twice as a juvenile, Michael Dods’ charge shaped with promise on his opening few starts as a three-year-old, finding the frame over one mile at Redcar before displaying his staying credentials over ten and twelve furlongs in handicap events at Beverley and Doncaster.
Stepped up to 1m6f for the first time, Wor Willie opened his account with a comfortable course and distance success at Thirsk in June, staying on powerfully to win by a couple of lengths and run out an easy winner under jockey Paul Mulrennan.
Fourth on his most recent start last September, Wor Willie should progress further now returning for his four-year-old campaign and given his unexposed profile, improvement should be forthcoming and he can make a winning return and record another course and distance success on Saturday afternoon.
Jockey Paul Mulrennan can get amongst the winners at Thirsk.
Lordman (4.35 Thirsk)
There was plenty of support around for LORDMAN on his first start as a three-year-old earlier in the month at Wolverhampton. Formerly with Tom Dascombe, Lordman had struggled to make an impact in his four starts as a juvenile last term but certainly hinted on his comeback that a first career success may not be far away.
Returning from a 199-day break, Lordman attracted significant market attention in the betting. Sent off 4/1, Hugo Palmer’s charge was slowly away in the hands of jockey Ross Coakley and was seemingly in trouble as the field turned for home.
Rounding the bend with still plenty to do, Lordman made eye-catching late headway inside the final furlong to finish fifth over the seven-furlong trip and was only beaten two lengths at the line.
Dropped 1lb for that encouraging effort in defeat, Lordman should strip fitter for his latest return to action and if avoiding a slow start as the stalls open on Saturday afternoon, the four-year-old will be expected to come home in front now tackling a host of exposed handicappers.
Trainer Hugo Palmer will be confident of a bold showing from the lightly-raced Lordman this Saturday.