Today’s tip comes from Ayr where JONNY LESTER’S HAIR looks to exploit a favourable handicap mark at present. He posted an impressive 2nd over course and distance LTO to the progressive “Ishiadancer”, who also runs today. He hasn’t won since September 2008 but has 2 wins to his name over today’s trip, both off higher marks than his current 65 rating. He has been dropped 2lb since his last second place where, as already mentioned, he did very well. He also has a previous win to his name on soft going so the ground conditions shouldn’t pose a problem.

	Johnny Lester’s Hair	2 points win	Currently 7/1
	15:20 Ayr Jockey: D Allan Trainer: T D Easterby	Course : Ayr Distance :7f Runners : 14

Today’s tip comes from Wetherby where Tony McCoy will help NELSON’S SPICE to overcome a 4lb rise since his impressive win at Cheltenham last time out. This horse knows how to win with figures of 7 from 19, most of which around this distance, and the presence of champion jockey McCoy is always a positive when choosing a national hunt horse.

	Nelson’s Spice	2 points win	Currently 6/1
	14:40 Wetherby Jockey: A P McCoy Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill	Course : Wetherby Distance : 2m 4f Runners : 8

Today’s tip comes from Stratford where Colin Tizzard takes SKIPPER’S LAD to Stratford for a stamina sapping 3m 4f handicap. He is 5 lbs higher than his last win, earlier this month at Uttoxeter, and comes from a credible third at Cheltenham last time out. Previous runs suggest he will stay all day and after only 8 chase starts, may have more room for improvement.

	Skipper’s Lad	2 points win	Currently 5/2
	14:50 Stratford Jockey: J Tizzard Trainer: C L Tizzard	Course : Stratford Distance : 3m 4f Runners : 7

Today’s tip comes from Kempton where Clive Cox looks to have found an chance for his 2-y-o filly PERFECT VISION to open her account. The field in this race looks extremely weak, with most horses at double figure odds, and connections at the Cox stable suggest that this horse has shown the ability at home to take this race. An eye catching booking of course specialist Eddie Ahern pays testament to this and the current odds make this a fantastic betting opportunity. She also has a good draw in 12, giving her a chance of grabbing the rail.

	Perfect Vision	3 points win, 1pt place	Currently 15/1
	18:20 Kempton Jockey: E Ahern Trainer: C Cox	Course : Kempton Distance : 1m Runners : 13

Today’s tip comes from Catterick where Stuart Bowring takes one of his well respected 3-y-olds on a rare trip up north. Despite FIRST BLADE’s wins coming against his own age group, he is a distance winner, handles slow ground, and is unexposed on turf. The way he ran on at Nottingham, when only 1lb lighter, suggested he is handicapped to have a chance here. Amir Quinn has partnered him to a win before and a whisper from the Bowring stable suggests to us that this horse is likely to be far overpriced.

	First Blade	2 points E/W	Currently 10/1
	14:00 Catterick Jockey: A Quinn Trainer:S R Bowring	Course : Catterick Distance : 5f Runners : 15

Today’s tip comes from Leicester where CITY OF THE KINGS is worth an each-way punt at long odds. As you would expect from this son of Cape Cross, he is a triple winner over today’s trip of a mile and he has no trouble producing on fast ground which will be a plus today. Furthermore, in view of some poor efforts of late, his mark has now been cut and he is back down to 90 – off which he won a class 2 (0-100) handicap at York in July. He is down into a 0-90 today so has the ability to land this. There are some small questions to answer about his well being so we won’t go in big but at the odds, even a small stake could provide a nice return.

	City Of The Kings	1 points E/W	Currently 25/1
	15:30 Leicester Jockey: P Donaghy (5) Trainer: G A Harker	Course : Leicester Distance : 1m Runners : 13

Today’s tip comes from Wincanton where the experienced BOWLEAZE looks to hold a solid chance. Robert Alner’s runner was second in this race two years ago and that bit of form, coupled with his course win over shorter several years ago, suggests that this track could play to his strengths. He is handicapped to go well too – he’s only 4 lbs higher than when winning at Sandown last November and placed form in the London National and Kim Muir since shows he has the stamina to see out this trip. A recent pipeopener at Chepstow should have him spot on for this and, under Daryll Jacob, I think a big run is on the cards.

	Bowleaze	2 points E/W	Currently 16/1
	16:35 Wincanton Jockey: D Jacob Trainer: R H & Mrs S Alner	Course : Wincanton Distance : 3m 3f Runners : 12

Today’s tip comes from Aintree where Sir Alex Ferguson’s horse MARC AURELE is running in the 16:35. Marc Aurele has a good second to Riverside Theatre to his name but was slightly under par the last time we saw him. He has had an operation since and the fact that Nicholls has perservered and retains the horse makes me think we just haven’t seen the best of this one. This is a bad standard of race for the track and Nicholls may have found an opportunity to get this horse off of the mark, at the 4th time of asking over hurdles.

	Marc Aurele	2 points win	Currently 6/1
	16:35 Aintree Jockey: Christian Williams Trainer: Paul Nicholls	Course : Aintree Distance : 2m Runners : 13

Today’s tip comes from Ayr where a veteran horse from the James Goldie stable bids to maintain his fantastic course and distance record. STELLITE has won over course and distance three times and is the only CD winner in the race. His latest win was here in a Class 4 handicap, back in June, off a mark of 66. Had a 3lb claimer on board that day so effectively he is only 1lb higher today running off a mark of 69 with a 5lb claimer on board. There are a few front runners in the race which could play into this horse’s favour as the he traditionally likes to pick up late on. Should love the going as well, having placed and won on Good going already this season. Was also a good 4th LTO in a Class 4 handicap, drops back down in class today.

	Stellite	2 points win, 1 point place	Currently 11/2
	15:20 Ayr Jockey: G Bartley (5) Trainer: J S Goldie	Course : Ayr Distance : 7f Runners : 13

Today’s tip comes from Carlisle where the talented DOESLESSTHANME makes his seasonal debut. This exciting novice chaser from the powerful Howard Johnson yard was only beaten by 2 horses last season; the smart Alfie Flits and Knockara Beau – who both went on to have highly successful seasons. These 2 defeats both came in black type races, so his record of 5 wins from 7 is impressive. He has decent track form, and has won over today’s distance. Howard Johnson is a prolific trainer at the track and has nominated this horse as his ‘one to follow’ for the season so it would be no surprise if he won today, at odds of around 3/1.

	Doeslessthanme	3 points	Currently 11/4
	14:40 Carlisle Jockey: Denis O’Regan Trainer: J Howard Johnson	Course : Carlisle Distance : 2m 1f Runners : 17