Horse Racing Tips: Duchess to rule for Boughey at Pontefract

A busy week that ends with the Irish Grand National Festival commences on Monday with four meetings taking place across Britain and Ireland. Jumps fare comes from Hexham, Tramore and Warwick while they race on the level at Pontefract.

I've picked out three horses to follow on Monday, including She's The Duchess for trainer George Boughey at Pontefract, a track where the Newmarket handler has a fine and profitable record across recent seasons. Below are my Horse Racing Tips for Monday, April 14.

14:48 Hexham - Kidman @ 9/2

KIDMAN was a big eyecatcher for the Simon Waugh team at Kelso last month, and the nine-year-old was consistent over hurdles despite going 0-7 in that sphere.

His chasing bow at Newcastle (2m, soft) in late January had some promise in it, beaten just over three lengths in fourth, but he didn't appear to find as much as had seemed likely late on.

Connections duly opted for a wind op and he looked set to deliver much more at Kelso, challenging ominously between the final two obstacles, only to lose all chance when sprawling on the landing side of the final fence, after which Danny McMenamin nursed him home.

He's eased in grade now and the assessor has dropped him 2lb. This looks like an optimal spot for him.

15:05 Pontefract - Ballsgrove Boy @ 10/3

The Mr Terry Earley Dual Celebration Handicap at Pontefract can offer BALLSGROVE BOY a chance to shed his maiden tag.

The Ardad gelding started life with Alice Haynes and is already with his third handler after just nine runs.

He has improved of late, going desperately close at Southwell over 6f in December and then twice making the frame since joining this trainer, second at Wolverhampton (6f) and third at Kempton (7f) in February.

The latter contest has worked out well form-wise, and he was just caught in some traffic at a crucial stage.

He's off the same mark down in trip and back on turf her,e and he may now be ready to make his mark.

17:05 Pontefract - She's The Duchess @ 4/6

George Boughey's runners at this Yorkshire layout are always worth noting. The Newmarket handler has 13 winners from 42 runners at Pontefract across the last five seasons, operating at a 31 per cent strike-rate and boasting a +20.03 profit to a level stake.

Just one runner is sent north from his Saffron House Stables this time, and it is SHE'S THE DUCHESS, a key player in the closing Constant Security Services Fillies' Novice Stakes over 6f in the hands of Billy Loughnane.

The Bated Breath filly scored on debut at Newcastle over 7f on the Tapeta in January when well-backed for her debut. She cost 260,000 gns as a yearling and while she only had a neck to spare at the line that evening, she appeared to have matters in hand.

She can land this contest under a penalty en route to brighter things.

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