Horse Racing Tips on Tuesday, May 24
There are seven race fixtures scheduled across the UK and Ireland on Tuesday 24th May, with the action coming from Bangor, Bath, Lingfield, Newcastle, Southwell, Gowran Park & Punchestown. Our expert editor has produced their top tips across the cards, which make up the advised Tuesday Lucky 15.
Pop Dancer (2.20 Bath)
Although POP DANCER hasn’t won a race since November 2020, he lurks on a very dangerous mark for connections and it will be disappointing if Tony Carroll’s well-treated five-year-old doesn’t go close to returning to the winner’s enclosure in this modest 0-65 contest.
Once rated as high as 90, Pop Dancer has seen his mark tumble over the past couple of seasons and whilst he was largely disappointing last season in his racecourse outings, the five-year-old has shaped with encouragement on his two starts since returning this campaign.
Contesting a competitive Class 3 handicap at Epsom back in April, he was denied a clear run at a crucial time when still travelling noticeably well under 7lb claimer Aidan Keeley and whilst he ultimately finished ninth of twelve on that occasion, Pop Dancer still shaped with considerable promise in behind and certainly ran much better than his finishing position suggested.
Well supported at Wolverhampton on his following start off a mark of 67, the five-year-old took a sizeable step forward when finishing third, only finding a well-handicapped rival and Derek Shaw’s in-form charge You’re Cool too strong in the closing stages.
Dropped to a career-low mark of 66 on Tuesday, Pop Dancer won’t find many better opportunities to return to winning ways and if running to anything like his best form, the five-year-old will take plenty of stopping.
Pop Dancer (green) will look to return to winning ways at Bath on Tuesday afternoon.
One Last Dance (3.50 Bath)
One runner that stands out in this lowly Class 6 handicap is Richard Hughes’ ONE LAST DANCE, who should appreciate the significant drop in grade on Tuesday afternoon and now finds herself back down to her last winning mark of 64.
Although her form tailed off towards the end of her three-year-old campaign last season, One Last Dance did post some creditable efforts in defeat – including when finishing runner-up in three consecutive starts on the all-weather in Class 5 and Class 3 company over nine and ten furlongs.
Returning from a 116-day break last month at Lingfield against Class 4 opposition, the four-year-old filly ultimately struggled to land a serious blow on her seasonal return when finishing eighth, however, she was only beaten just over four lengths at the line and was far from disgraced over the inadequate seven-furlong trip.
Switching to the turf on Tuesday, One Last Dance should strip significantly fitter following her Lingfield reappearance and it’s worth remembering that her only previous start against Class 6 opposition resulted in a comfortable five and a half-length success.
One Last Dance can strike at Bath on Tuesday.
Eligible (7.30 Newcastle)
A recent 2lb drop in the weights sees ELIGIBLE line up in Class 6 company for the first time in his career on Tuesday evening and while the six-year-old has proven expensive to follow in recent starts, connections will be confident that his turn is just around the corner following a series of promising efforts in defeat on the all-weather.
Third for the second time at Wolverhampton on his penultimate start over the extended mile, Mick Easterby’s charge returned to the turf following a four-month break earlier this month at Ripon over ten furlongs. Despite being well supported in the market on that occasion, Eligible ultimately shaped like a non-stayer on his first crack at the trip as he gradually weakened out of contention under jockey Paul Mulrennan.
With all-weather form figures of 2-3-4-3-3-3, it’s no surprise to see Eligible return to the artificial surface on Tuesday evening and with the six-year-old returning to his optimum trip as well, connections will be confident he can finally put it all together and register his second career victory.
Eligible (left) should be a different proposition on Tuesday evening, now back on the all-weather surface.
Bells On Her Toes (7.50 Gowran Park)
BELLS ON HER TOES went into plenty of people’s notebooks when finishing third over course and distance just thirteen days ago. Andrew Slattery’s filly fairly rattled home on that occasion and while she has been nudged up 2lb by the handicapper, it shouldn’t prevent another bold showing from the three-year-old.
Despite showing very little in her four previous starts in maiden company, the switch to handicaps and first-time visor nearly worked the oracle for her last time out. Held up towards the rear of the field, the three-year-old began to make stylish headway as the field turned for home, however, the filly was denied a clear run approaching the final couple of furlongs and once the gaps finally did appear, it was all too late as she flew home in the closing stages to take third.
If granted a smoother passage on Tuesday evening, Bells On Her Toes should have little difficulty in shedding her maiden tag at the sixth time of asking and it is difficult to ignore her obvious claims towards the top end of the betting.
Gowran Park host a competitive eight-race card on Tuesday.