Today’s racing tips

15:25 Epsom Downs

We start today’s racing with an interesting handicap. Hopes N Dreams won this event twelve months ago and is only two pounds higher today, if you look at her form it doesn’t look too great, but she is now down to her lowest mark this year and could redeem her winning ways. Mission Approved joined Luca Cumani from Sir Michael Stoute’s yard last year and since then he’s been improving with every race. He was only beaten by a whisker at Goodwood last time out where he was rattling home in the final stages; he’s been raised four pounds for this and has to go on my shortlist.

Duke Cosimo comes here on the back of a great run at Ripon where he held on gamely to win in a huge field; he should in contention today in the latter stages.

Salvatore Fury is an interesting one he’s been knocking on the door as of late; he was flying home in the finals stages when last seen at Goodwood and he looked like he needed this extra furlong to get his head in front. At such a smart price he is one that could come good here.

Salvatore Fury (EW)

15:55 Epsom Downs

We stay here at Epsom Downs to preview our second race. Scottish Glen is the oldest horse in the race but don’t let that deter you from him, he finished a respectable third at Brighton three weeks ago, he beat Skytrain on that occasion and there is no reason why he shouldn’t do so again today.

Royal Connection has been knocking on the door recently finding one too good on the last two occasions; he tried to make all on his latest outing when just being caught close home, he looks the one to beat and is only a pound higher today.

The biggest danger looks to come from Great Expectations; he was traveling really well at the back of the field on his previous run but may have left it too late on that occasion to get home in front; he has to be respected.

Ixelles Diamond could be a surprise here and would be ignored at your peril; she drops three pounds for this after finishing third at Newmarket at the beginning of the month. She should be there or thereabouts in the final stages and is my selection to get into the placing’s.

Ixelles Diamond (EW)

16:15 Ripon

We end the day hoping we will finally see Ty Gwr; he’s been absent from the track for 305 days; he was due to race last Tuesday but once again pulled out. He was beaten by half a length on his latest outing after being sent off favourite, and has the form to go close. Ambleside and Northern Star are another two that have been away from the track for some considerable time. The former was in fine form this time last year at Mark Johnston’s yard and has now joined Mick Easterby’s yard where the owners will hope he can reopen his account today. If he can strip fit today he should be in the mix.

Truancy landed an impressive hat-trick over course and distance earlier this month and has been raised another six pounds for his troubles, he still has to be respected on his recent form but may now be in the handicappers grip. Woodacre and Sophisticated Heir battled it out at Newmarket two weeks ago where the latter just got her nose in front, Woodacre looks better off now in the weights and is my selection to go one better today. Master Of Finance is a typical Mark Johnston horse that likes to run at the front, he was second in what looked a tough race last time out; he’s a competitive sort and shouldn’t be dismissed.

Woodacre (WIN)