Horse Racing Tips on Wednesday, May 25
There are six race fixtures scheduled across the UK and Ireland on Wednesday 25th May, with the action coming from Beverley, Hamilton, Newton Abbot, Ripon, Warwick and Wexford. Our expert editor has produced their top tips across the cards, which make up the advised Wednesday Lucky 15.
Dr Rio (4.48 Beverley)
The likes of recent course winner Rocket Dancer and six-time course and distance winner Bit Of A Quirke are entitled to respect as they line up at the East Yorkshire venue once more, however, the vote goes to Paul Midgley’s DR RIO who produced an eye-catching effort at Newcastle when last seen and now finds himself off a lowly mark of 57.
Racing in mid-division last time out, the six-year-old travelled noticeably well in the hands of P J McDonald as the runners turned into the straight. Making smooth headway to join the leaders, Dr Rio soon took up the running inside the final furlong but unfortunately couldn’t sustain his challenge on the run to the line. Despite being beaten four lengths in sixth on that occasion, Dr Rio’s effort can be slightly upgraded given the fact that the race ultimately favoured those who came from way off the pace.
With the yard sending out a few winners recently, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Dr Rio add to that tally on Wednesday afternoon, and with double-figure odds currently available, the six-year-old is well worth supporting following his promising Newcastle performance.
Trainer Paul Midgley has his yard in great form at the moment and will be hoping for further success on Wednesday.
Burj Malinka (6:25 Ripon)
Recent scorers High Security and BURJ MALINKA are the two to focus on in here, with a slight preference for Adrian Nicholls’ runner who remains unexposed over the minimum trip. Formerly trained in Ireland, the four-year-old has only had a handful of starts for the North Yorkshire handler but managed to get off the mark at the fifth time of asking when opening his account at Hamilton at the start of the month.
Having just his second start over five furlongs on that occasion, the four-year-old was well supported before the off and whilst he ultimately prevailed by the narrowest of margins, Burj Malinka displayed a willing attitude inside the closing stages to get the better of his main market rival Morty.
Although the handicapper has stuck him up 5lb for his recent victory, a mark of 68 is certainly well within his range, having previously gone close on his stable debut over seven furlongs at Newcastle off 69 last October. Connections look as if they have found an ideal opportunity for Burj Malinka to record another sprinting success on Wednesday evening and the lightly-raced four-year-old is still open to plenty of improvement going forward.
Ripon stages a competitive seven-race card on Wednesday evening.
Stolen Moment (7.45 Wexford)
Journey West was impressive when striding clear to land a handicap hurdle over 2m5f at Downpatrick just five days ago by eight lengths, and although entitled to plenty of respect in his follow up attempt, the six-year-old is yet to prove himself over this sort of trip and is certainly not one for maximum faith given his inconsistent profile.
One runner who hasn’t lacked for consistency in recent outings is STOLEN MOMENT, who has hinted in her recent starts that a victory may not be far away and certainly rates one of the stronger selections on Wexford’s seven-race card. Fifth at the start of the year at Punchestown over three miles, the nine-year-old mare stepped up markedly on her following outing at Limerick in March over 2m6f – staying on strongly after the final flight to finish second behind the well-backed favourite Native Gold.
Stepped back up to her optimum trip at Cork earlier this month, the mare again went into the notebook when producing another strong staying finish. Left with plenty to do entering the straight, the nine-year-old soon made rapid progress through the field, and whilst she ultimately proved no match for runaway winner Iridescent on that occasion, Stolen Moment still ran a remarkable race to finish third under the circumstances.
If delivering her challenge slightly earlier on Wednesday evening, Stolen Moment will be a danger to all in this modest handicap contest and connections will be confident the nine-year-old mare can deservedly get her head in front following her recent improved efforts.
Gullane One (8.30 Ripon)
GULLANE ONE was selected in our Lucky 15 just ten days ago when lining up at Ripon, and whilst the seven-year-old couldn’t get his head in front on that occasion, Tim Easterby’s charge deserves enormous credit given how the race ultimately unfolded.
After catching the eye on his seasonal return at this venue earlier this month, the six-time winner was fancied to capitalise on his falling mark when lining up against Class 6 opposition last time out over five furlongs. Poorly drawn in stall 2 on that occasion, the seven-year-old was sent straight to the far side rail under 7lb claimer Brandon Wilkie, and despite racing alone throughout, Gullane One was beaten less than two lengths at the line and would have surely finished closer to those ahead if ridden differently.
The seven-year-old remains on the same mark following his recent Ripon fourth and with all of his career wins coming over the six-furlong trip, it’s no surprise to see connections step Gullane One back up in distance on Wednesday evening and Tim Esterby’s charge should make a bold bid for his seventh career success from an ideal draw in stall 12.
Gullane One (centre) can strike at Ripon on Wednesday evening for trainer Tim Easterby.