Horse Racing Tips: Alcedo can get off the perfect start over fences

The weather has denied us plenty of quality and competitive action in recent days but we could get up to four meetings across Britain and Ireland on Monday.

Lingfield is the first to kick off and is swiftly followed by Punchestown and Exeter, while the evening action is provided by Wolverhampton’s seven-race all-weather fixture.

We have three strong fancies to follow across the day and among them is a fascinating chase debutant for Venetia Williams, who looks like a useful prospect.

13:38 Exeter - Alcedo @ 2/1

It has been a very successful season for Venetia Williams and the Herefordshire-based trainer continues to punch above her weight in the trainers’ championship. She runs ALCEDO here, who is set to make his first start over fences.

The son of Vadamos made a good impression straight away as he won a Hereford bumper on his racecourse debut in good style in December 2022. While the form doesn’t stand out necessarily, a couple of subsequent hurdles winners have come out of the race.

He won a maiden hurdle here last winter and subsequent Gerry Fielden scorer Navajo Indy was comfortably beaten in second. That evidence suggests there should be plenty more to come off a mark of 121.

It’s easy to forgive his disappointing effort on heavy ground in a Grade 2 at Haydock last time out and Williams’ runners almost always improve upon switching to fences.

14:38 Exeter - Illico De Cotte @ 6/4

Dan Skelton’s ILLICO DE COTTE cost £100,000 after running out an impressive winner of an Irish point in March 2023 but has probably been a little disappointing in the context of that figure. He has won over hurdles and fences, though, and remains potentially unexposed in handicap company.

The seven-year-old made the perfect start to his chasing career when taking a 3m2f novice handicap at Carlisle in October. A similar effort here should be more than enough, despite being on a 9lb higher mark.

Well fancied when a slightly underwhelming third at the same track next time, one would imagine he’s capable of better than that and the fact that the handicapper has put him up 2lb since suggests it was a fair effort.

19:00 Wolverhampton - Havana Sky @ 7/2

HAVANA SKY definitely found his groove in 6f handicaps on the all-weather at the back end of 2024. Ed Dunlop’s gelding completed a five-timer here over Christmas and the fifth success was one of the most impressive of the lot.

Patient tactics were employed with great success and he emerged from the fog with a strong finishing effort, pulling a length-and-a-quarter clear of the runner-up. A 6lb penalty wasn’t enough to stop him that day and he’s one to keep on side for the time being.

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The step up in trip probably didn’t suit when he was fourth at Lingfield nine days ago and that is the most likely explanation, rather than the handicapper having caught up with him.

Another 2lb rise shouldn’t be too tough to shoulder and this progressive sort can win again.

Horse Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.