Wednesday Racing Tips: Sierra Blanca a contender for Goodwood prize

A six-pack of midweek racing action across Britain and Ireland sees a mix of Flat and National Hunt fare.

Bellewstown is first to get going on their Barney Curley Memorial Day and they are joined on the level by cards from Goodwood – where there is a Listed feature race, Redcar and Kempton (AW) while jumps action is from Sligo and Perth.

Our midweek fancies include an outsider in the Listed Foundation Stakes at Goodwood for trainer Martyn Meade.

15:40 Goodwood – Sierra Blanca @ 11/1

Goodwood is closing in on the end of another season and action on Wednesday afternoon from the Sussex Downs includes the Listed Foundation Stakes over a mile-and-a-quarter where William Haggas’ My Prospero is the odds-on favourite.

Second in a Group 2 at York last time, he sets the bar her and is respected, albeit he hasn’t perhaps quite progressed as might have been hoped this season.

With the dead-eight runners, each-way terms are favourable and it might be worth taking a chance on Sierra Blanca on stable bow fore new trainer Martyn Meade.

The No Nay Never colt was Group 3-placed at Leopardstown last October before winning his maiden at Naas (1m, heavy) in November on final start for Aidan O’Brien.

He beat 19 rivals in that contest and did so in good style, with runner-up Sprewell going on to prove a smart performer this season. Sierra Blanca will have to improve under Harry Davies here but he will handle conditions underfoot and could yet prove a shrewd acquisition for his new connections.

16:20 Bellewstown – Little Jo @ 11/1

The Barney Curley Charity Cup Handicap (47-70) is part of Bellewstown’s memorial for the late, great doyen of the punting circles and Jamie Spencer, one of Curley’s trusted lieutenants in his lifetime, is at the Co Meath venue for the occasion.

Spencer partners Little Jo for trainer John McConnell and he could be the ideal foil.

Normally raced over shorter, the gelding caught the eye in a Galway apprentice race this month over this trip, finishing a never-nearer fourth. He is a six-time winner on turf in his career, though yet to score for this shrewd trainer in six outings.

His mark has dipped to the tune of 10lb in that sequence, however, and that recent Galway effort suggests he might be ready to take advantage if Spencer can bring him with a late challenge.

Final Orders, a revelation over fences last season, is a short price favourite here for Gavin Cromwell but with this being a Betfred Extra Place Race (four places) Little Jo looks a viable alternative.

18:30 Kempton – D Day Arvalenreeva @ 9/1

The Kevin Philippart De Foy-trained filly D Day Arvalenreeva is worthy of a close look in this Kempton handicap over 1m3f in the hands of Benoit De La Sayette.

A daughter of Mastercraftsman, she shaped with promise in three AW starts in the spring before making a successful switch to turf at Leicester (1m4f, good to firm) in late May.

She twice finished second at Newmarket from her next three starts and while she disappointed last time at Bath, she wouldn’t be the first to not really relish that particular track.

She is on a fair mark for this AW return and represents a trainer/jockey in good form. The filly is on the Most Napped table via the Betfred Betfinder for Wednesday’s action and should run a big race.