Horse Racing Tips: 15th November 2016

13:25 Lingfield – Rigolleto @ 10/1 (each-way)

In a race that looks a fairly competitive event at first glance, one horse who appears to have been overlooked in the betting is Rigolleto. The eight-year-old gelding has performed with plenty of credit in races that look similar to this one and may have been disregarded by many based on some recent form which probably isn’t relevant.

This horse may have only won once at Lingfield (15 runs), but he has often filled the places and, more often than not, such runs have come in better races than this. From four class 6 runs over C&D, his record reads: 1483. Again, not exactly the most inspiring, but in similar races he’s found himself right there at the business end in three out of four attempts. Compare this to the form of some of the others and he definitely makes appeal, especially at the prices.

The last two times this horse has dropped into class 6 company he’s crossed the line in first place. The latest of these two wins was at Kempton back in March, running on strongly from the front to comfortably make all under today’s rider George Baker. Another interesting little pointer is the fact that both of those wins came with the help of cheek-pieces – an aid that is once again reached for here. However, in four runs since reappearing in late August the cheek-pieces have been left off and are returning for the first time in this race.

Since finishing second on reappearance this campaign, we haven’t seen much from Rigolleto, although he’s been tried under some varying conditions and there’s a feeling that connections may just have been biding their time, waiting for a both a suitable racing opportunity and a handicap mark that suits. The gelding is now back down to his last winning mark and is going in the type of race where he’s previously proven he be competitive.

All things considered, this looks a nice opening for Rigolleto and, at odds of 10/1, he definitely warrants some each-way money.

14:05 Fakenham – Lift The Lid @ 9/2 

The early betting here suggests that this race is all about last-time-out winner Khismet, although second favourite Captain Mowbray doesn’t look too far behind based on his latest second. However, it might just pay to ignore both of these two and take a chance on the Neil Mulholland trained Lift The Lid.

As are each of the five runners in this field, Mulholland’s entry is lightly raced and hasn’t shown too much so far, but his latest run, if we consider it in conjunction with the latest runs of the chief protagonists, showed signs of encouragement.

The last time this horse was seen was at Cartmel back at the end of May. This particular race looked stronger than those recently ran in by the two market leaders and, despite finishing only 6th (14 runners), Lift The Lid left the impression that there was more to come. Having traveled strongly before seemingly getting into a good position, it’s fancied that the trip was perhaps too much for him and today’s drop back to two miles should suit. The addition of a tongue-tie could also eek out that extra bit of improvement too.

The booking of Noel Fehily is also interesting. Last time out, apprentice David Noonan took the ride and it’s easy to think that a younger, less experienced jockey could’ve taken the ride here too, but the ultra-experienced Noel Fehily gets the leg-up instead and thus some confidence really ought to be taken from that.

The fact that trainer Mulholland has an excellent strike rate at Fakenham, winning with 43% of his 16 runners here in the last 12 months, also bodes very well.

15:05 Fakenham – Snippetydoodah @ 9/2

The early market for this six-runner mares hurdle, has produced an odds-on favourite in the shape of Prettylittlething, although this seems very excessive.

At the prices, the one to be on here is Snippetydoodah, trained by Michael Roberts. The eight-year-old has some good-looking form to her name and really ought to be getting competitive in this race.

Having won at Fontwell back in April, in a race that boasted more depth than this one, the mare has since turned in two encouraging performances, again at Fontwell and then last time out at Plumpton.

The race at Plumpton came just two weeks ago after a 185 day break and Snippetydoodah looked as good as ever. Against higher rated opposition than she will encounter here, the mare put in a real solid run to finish second – keeping on well at the finish. With this in mind, today’s step up in trip should suit, especially given the fact that she’s stayed on well in several of her races.

Another positive is the fact that both Plumpton and Fontwell are, much like Fakenham, tight tracks and thus good form there is definitely a plus.

In a race where there isn’t much to like about many of the runners, while the favourite looks hugely overpriced, Snippetydoodah has plenty going for her and is definitely worth a punt at rather generous odds of 9/2.

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