Horse Racing Tips on Tuesday, April 19
The transition to the flat season is almost entirely complete. Our expert editor has compiled their best bets across the cards, which make up Tuesday’s Lucky 15.
Goddess Of Fire (2.30 Yarmouth)
The opener at Yarmouth may have a few less exposed types than GODDESS OF FIRE, who has run a grand total of 45 times, 41 of those for John Ryan.
The five-year-old initially soared up the ratings for Ryan, but a brief blip towards the start of the 2021 flat season ensured that she has been somewhat of a yo-yo horse. This applies to her form at Yarmouth as well, where she was last on her fast two starts, but has won on her most recent pair over course and distance.
She has since run fine races at Newmarket, while on her most recent start at Chelmsford in December, she was far from disgraced in fifth from 8lb out of the handicap.
The chief concern is that her form when fresh is far from inspiring, but despite the frequency of runs, there could still be improvement from her.
Going Gone (3.30 Epsom)
The four-year-old GOING GONE goes for local trainer Jim Boyle, for whom 2022 so far has been a bit of a struggle.
He is yet to record a winner in 26 runners, but that possibly feeds into this horse’s juicier price for this race. The four-year-old is in better heart than almost any of his rivals, with Secret Shadow, the only horse with a better recent strike rate, clearly less effective when the ground is quicker than soft.
Going Gone won on his second handicap start last season, that coming on his first run at this track. He evidently took to the course well as he scored by 4 3/4 lengths. He did not follow up on the all weather at Kempton, but won again at Newmarket when returned to turf.
Both of those victories came on good ground, so while he is up another 7lb, there is a lot to like about his aptitude for the surface and for Epsom’s unique course. He has lived up to form on both starts after a layoff so far in his career as well.
Kingdom Girl (4.10 Yarmouth)
Some powerful training and owning connections are represented here, but there are very few in this race with any enticing form.
While the likes of Franklin William and Sylvia Beach could easily step forward, they have not shaped like doing so in the immediate future. At a lengthier price, there have been two very respectable performances by KINGDOM GIRL in her career so far in relation to her current mark.
William Knight’s filly was fifth at Newmarket on debut and was reportedly unsuited by Goodwood’s undulations next time out. She bounced back to be a close third at Chelmsford before a disappointing handicap debut at Kempton.
However, she is no 4lb lower, while the step up in trip could easily bring about some improvement. Four of her half-siblings went over jumps, so the 1m2f distance could be in range and she may be well-treated.
New Pursuit (4.30 Epsom)
Benoit De La Sayette’s 7lb claim should always be factored into a punter’s thinking. He is one of the most promising up-and-coming claimers in the business after returning from an enforced time away.
Few two-year-old revel in conditions at Epsom, but NEW PURSUIT did so when winning on his debut last July. Though he failed to follow up in three subsequent starts, he was no back number in any of them.
He began with a fourth-placed effort at Newmarket under a 5lb winning penalty, before finishing third at Windsor off this mark of 80. He was well beaten next time at Nottingham, but the ground may well have been softer than ideal.
Returning down 1lb in the handicap with the promise of enjoying the track and running fresh, the combination of horse and rider looks a match made in heaven for this race.