Horse Racing Tips, Saturday 6th February

14:10, Wetherby: Bigirononhiship @ 3/1 – 2 point win 

The 14:00 at Wetherby isn’t exactly the easiest race to assess with three unexposed runners dominating the betting; however, Bigirononhiship for Rose Dobbin, looks somewhat overpriced at odds of 3/1.

Since joining the Rose Dobbins yard after winning a point-to-point in Ireland, this gelding made a bright start to his career over hurdles, when staying on strongly to win a class 5 maiden at Ayr at the first time of asking. That form looks easily the best on offer in this line-up and although there are a couple of others in here who may also be progressive, Dobbin’s five year old definitely has a big chance. He will of course have to give away 6lb, but given how positive a start he’s made, for a trainer who boasts a profitable record at this track, Bigirononhiship just looks too big a price and is definitely the one to be on in this race.

14:55, Lingfield: Grendisar @ 7/2 – 2 point win 

Marco Botti’s, Grendisar is another runner today, who on the face of it, looks underestimated in the betting. Not only did the smart performer take this race last year, he also boasts a solid record at Lingfield, where having had a total of 14 runs to date, the 6 year old has only finished outside the places on two occasions and has visited the winners enclose on a further three.

In terms of recent form this gelding has been knocking on the door of late and close 2nds over C&D on his last two outings have suggested that his day might not be far off. In terms of form – and in what looks a weaker race today (certainly in terms of strength and depth) – those last two finishes surely give him a huge chance in this one.

Kirby takes the ride once more and under his stewardship, off a previous winning mark, Grendisar looks to have major claims here.

15:00, Sandown: Saddlers Encore @ 8/1 – 1 point each way 

The 15:00 at Sandown looks a competitive race, but this might just be a nice bit of placing from Phillip Hobbs, who comes here with the lightly raced and unexposed, Saddlers Encore.

Having raced only six times in his career so far, Hobbs’ 7 year old has shown plenty of promise over hurdles. Back to back wins in novice-company in 2014 looked reasonable form, and the gelding performed with plenty of credit on reappearance this season, when returning from 620 days off at Wincanton on Boxing Day.

In what was a decent race last time out, Saddlers Encore traveled really well but was probably just lacking full race fitness to get seriously involved at the death. With that run now under his belt he may well be ready to show what he’s made of in a decent race such as this one. There were indeed signs that he still retains plenty of ability and it would be no surprise if we were to see a much better horse here today. At a course where the trainer shows a good profit to level stakes, at odds of 8/1, Saddlers Encore looks a worthy each way bet.

15:20, Wetherby: Sir Vinski @ 5/1  

Back to Wetherby for the last selection and once again, Sir Vinski, is one who might just have been nicely placed here.

With only seven runs over timber to his name (two wins), Nicky Richards’ gelding has been a bit up and down over hurdles, but does look to have been found a good opportunity today with conditions to suit. The fitting of blinkers could also be a positive inclusion for a horse who might just need that bit of help to give his best running.

The 7 year old returned this season with a respectable 3^rd at Bangor, before finishing a slightly disappointing 7^th of 15 last time out, although was probably unsuited by the step up in trip and the return to three miles today should definitely give him a better chance. A comfortable win off a mark of 115 last season suggests that a race of this nature off a mark of 120 shouldn’t be beyond his capabilities and the gelding is fancied to go well.

In a race on his favoured soft ground, Sir Vinski looks well worth an each way stab for a trainer who boasts a 40% strike rate at Wetherby.