Horse Racing Tips: Star to shine at Southwell on Wednesday

There is a mixture of Flat and jump racing in the UK and Ireland on Wednesday, with five meetings taking place across the afternoon and into the evening.

Among my horse racing tips for Wednesday is a promising young hurdler representing Dan Skelton in a mares’ novice contest at Southwell.

14:08 Southwell -Presenting Pete @ 4/1

PRESENTING PETE is representing John Mackie in the Class 4 2m4f Novices’ Handicap Chase from Southwell, with Brian Hughes in the saddle. Hughes is a notable 12-86 (14%) when riding for Mackie.

The Presenting gelding registered a peak Racing Post Rating of 114 over hurdles when winning over this course and distance on good ground in July 2022. He also won a better-class Uttoxeter handicap hurdle from a mark of 105 in August 2023.

The seven-year-old made quite an encouraging chasing debut when reaching second at Sedgefield earlier this month. He will have to build on that bare form to go one place better on this occasion, but is entitled to do just that granted normal progression from the initial experience.

A mark of 101 in receipt of weight all-round, back on this course and with the ground conditions in his favour, all points to this race being an excellent opportunity to strike.

Today's Horse Races

15:53 Southwell - Asian Star @ 9/2

ASIAN STAR is considered one of the best bets of the day in the Class 4 2m Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Southwell, representing Dan Skelton, with Harry Skelton continuing in the saddle.

Skelton is 82-388 (21%) with his runners at Southwell and his brother Harry is 84-363 (23%) when riding at the venue.

The Malinas mare is half-sister to useful 2m hurdle winner Asian Master from a good family. She was disputing second when falling two out in an Irish mares’ maiden point in testing ground in November 2023.

The five-year-old was badly hampered late on when fifth of 18, only beaten by an encouraging 6.5 lengths, in a Class 2 Cheltenham bumper on good ground in April.

The selection then finished third of 13 in a course-and-distance bumper on good ground in May, getting within 6.5 lengths of the winner Gale Mahler, who has since won her next five starts and is officially rated 135 over hurdles.

Asian Star was in need of the experience when returning from a break to reach third of nine in a slowly-run Newton Abbot mares’ novice hurdle last month, and she is entitled to build significantly on that debut effort back on this course.

16:28 Southwell - Wicked Thoughts @ 8/15

WICKED THOUGHTS is also worth supporting when he steps up significantly in trip in the Class 4 extended 3m Maiden Hurdle from Southwell, representing Paul Nicholls with Freddie Gingell claiming 3lb in the saddle.

Nicholls is 15-30 (50%) with his runners over hurdles at Southwell and Gingell is 23-110 (21%) when riding for Nicholls.

The Mahler gelding cost £135,000 shortly after winning a point impressively by 25 lengths on his debut in April 2023.

He showed improved bumper form when second behind a well regarded sort at Exeter on decent ground in April this year.

He is a half-brother to the 3m hurdle winner Pakie’s Dream and is capable of going one better on his hurdling debut.

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