Horse Racing Tips on Wednesday, March 23
There are three meetings spread across Britain on Wednesday, March 23rd with the action coming from Ffos Las, Haydock and Ludlow. Our expert tipster has produced their top tips across the cards, which make up our advised Wednesday Lucky 15.
Dreams Of Home (1:35 Haydock)
Despite running below par when finishing fifth last time out at Newbury, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see DREAMS OF HOME return to form on his second start after a recent wind operation.
Often racing at the head of affairs, Donald McCain’s charge raced in the rear of the field at Newbury when last seen and those change of tactics clearly had a negative effect as Dreams Of Home could never get into an early rhythm under jockey Theo Gillard and ultimately finished tailed off.
That run however can be easily forgiven and it’s best to judge the six-year-old on his previous exploits over the larger obstacles, which has included two runner-up efforts at Newcastle and Haydock as well as a dominant front running victory at Ayr last November.
The six-year-old remains lightly raced over fences and with the step up in trip and return to a sounder surface set to suit, Donald McCain’s charge should pose a serious threat if lining up at the head of affairs on Wednesday and jockey Brian Hughes might be able to dictate matters from flag fall.
Voodoo Doll (1:55 Ffos Las)
There are a few in this contest that like to be up with the pace from the outset and that could potentially lead to VOODOO DOLL picking up the pieces in the closing stages as the nine-year-old reverts to 2miles.
Evan Williams’ charge recorded a fifth win over timber at Taunton last October and whilst Voodoo Doll was disappointing when trying to follow up at Chepstow in November, the nine-year-old has since shaped with plenty of encouragement despite tackling significantly tougher opponents in recent starts.
The form of his penultimate effort at Ludlow behind Green Book last December has been well advertised by that winner subsequently, with Venetia Williams’ runner going on to land Grade 3 honours at Sandown before finishing a commendable fifth in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival last Friday.
Voodoo Doll was then pitched into Class 2 company over 2m4f at Kelso earlier this year, and whilst the nine-year-old was ultimately outclassed, he only weakened out of contention two from home and looks ready for a return to the minimum distance off the back of that latest performance.
Voodoo Doll should find Wednesday’s contest far less competitive than those he has recently lined up in and is certainly capable of returning to winning ways in what appears to be a very modest handicap contest.
Chef D’oeuvre (2:45 Haydock)
Tim Pat has to be respected off the back of an opening chase success at Carlisle, especially given the tremendous form of the yard. However, Donald McCain’s charge is upped markedly in trip and at the likely odds, he is worth taking on.
This contest was taken last year by CHEF D’OEUVRE from a 7lb higher mark and although the eleven-year-old has failed to get his head in front since then, Sam England’s veteran has hinted in recent outings that he is still capable of winning from his current mark and returns to Haydock on Wednesday in search of his fourth win at the Merseyside venue.
Tried in a range of headgear combinations this season, Chef D’oeuvre ran his best race this campaign on penultimate start at Wetherby in tongue tie and cheekpieces, leading for the majority of the 3mile contest before a slow jump two from the finish put paid to his winning chance when finishing behind Fergal O’Brien’s Timeless Beauty.
A line can be drawn through the eleven-year-olds recent outing at Sedgefield as blinkers failed to have the desired effect, but with connections opting to apply cheekpieces once again on Wednesday, Chef D’oeuvre ought to go close at a track where he often saves his best efforts for.
D’jango (3:40 Ffos Las)
Shah An Shah commands respect at the top of the betting after filling the runner-up spot on his last two starts for trainer Charlie Longsdon, however, the eight-year-old has just one win to his name which came back in 2020 and is not one for maximum faith.
David Pipe will have been pleased with the run of D’JANGO earlier this month at Wincanton as first-time blinkers almost worked the oracle for the former French chaser over the extended 3mile trip.
Racing prominently throughout on that occasion, the nine-year-old set sail for home rounding the turn under 7lb claimer Philip Armson and despite being collared in the closing stages by eventual winner Chloe’s Court, David Pipe’s charge finished nicely clear of the remainder that day and it was certainly a welcome return to form after showing little in three previous outings for the yard.
If ridden with more restraint on Wednesday afternoon, D’jango should be able to build on that latest effort and is capable of winning from his current mark of 106.