Horse Racing Tips on Tuesday, February 15
Racing comes from Lingfield, Ayr and Newcastle on Tuesday. The former two are the subject of our editor’s 8,211/1 Lucky 15 top tips.
Wee Small Hours (2.30 Ayr)
For his entry alone, he is worth at least a second look and WEE SMALL HOURS also looks a good bet for Michael Rice.
He is a 13-year-old, but he has never raced outside of Ireland for either his current trainer or former handler Dermot McLoughlin. That he now is sent over to Ayr is fascinating at his advancing age and you must feel like connections have spied an opportunity here.
He is without a win for over four years, but two of his last three runs have been very encouraging, finishing third at Punchestown and third at Down Royal over hurdles. He is 10lb higher than his Irish chasing mark, such is the tax on runners from across the pond, but he also performed well enough over fences this time last year.
This is not a particularly strong race either and he rates one of the more intriguing runners of the day.
Glancing Glory (2.45 Lingfield)
You won’t see many more wide-open maiden hurdles with seven horses separated by just 2.5 points in the market.
Of those, preference is for Kim Bailey’s GLANCING GLORY, a former point winner who could well step forward now she meets heavy ground under rules for the first time. She had such underfoot conditions when she won her second point in December 2020, but has not had that over hurdles so far.
She has put in decent efforts on her first two starts regardless, with her stable not having been in the sharpest form. The bailey yard have picked up slightly though and she can kick on from her third at Exeter to take much closer order here.
Jessiemac (3.40 Ayr)
Ian Duncan’s mare simply looks remarkably overlooked in the market for a last-time out winner.
JESSIEMAC did only scrape home at Catterick last month, but she has only been raised 2lb for that victory and retains the partnership with 5lb claimer Thomas Willmott. She had also finished within 10 lengths of the winner on her previous two starts.
She has been consistent enough, but there is also the bonus of her having won on heavy ground previously and over course and distance in October 2019. Overall she has two wins and three runner-up finishes at the track in her career.
Green Vault is a clear danger after an easy success last time at odds-on, but Jessiemac could easily get competitive.
Magic Of Milan (4.15 Ayr)
It’s fair to say MAGIC OF MILAN underwent a slow start to this season, but there is plenty of time for that to be put right after a much better effort last week.
That was her first run over fences for nearly two years, but with Lewis Stones taking off 7lb, she left precious form behind, staying on very stoutly for second at Carlisle. That was comfortably her best run this season and she has been eased a further 2lb anyway.
Stones remains aboard, which makes that 2lb drop seem generous. It may be a slight worry how far behind she got last time, but her stamina will really come into play on heavy ground and she is still running off an extremely low weight.