Both Ayr and Newbury‘s Friday cards open meetings which contain big races on Saturday. The Scottish Grand national and the Greenham Stakes both take place a day later.
GG tipster Joe Napier has picked our lucky 15 tips for Friday, with two best bets each from the aforementioned cards.
Ayr Racing Tips (Friday 17 April)
Saturday at Ayr features the Scottish Grand National, but the seven races on Friday also provide plenty for punters to get excited about. Our top tips on the card both run in class 2 contests.
3.30 Ayr – Jipcot (1pt win – 10/1)
The Plate Handicap may prove to be the strongest handicap form at the Cheltenham Festival. The first two have emerged in the same positions since at Aintree, with the 11th and fifth finishing first and second at Haydock on Wednesday. 13th placed Jipcot could still have a big run in him therefore. Though uncompetitive at Cheltenham, his previous chase from this term needs some respect. He was third on return, when probably needing the run slightly, and the winner has gone up 13lb since. He then bolted in at Leicester, incurring an 8lb rise himself. Nevertheless, he led to the second last at Ascot upped to 3m before fading to fourth. That form looks solid and he is down 1lb here. If renewing more prominent tactics, more may remain in the tank for a yard enjoying a good spring.
4.05 Ayr – Phantomoftheppints (1pt win – 16/1)
Back down in class after an ambitious tilt at Grade 2 company, Phantomofthepoints may have another handicap in him. David Pipe’s charge was impressive at Warwick in February on heavy ground. That came over just 100 yards shy of this trip and he will appreciate similar levels of cut in the surface here. Having initially been given a 7lb rise for that victory, the handicapper has relented by 2lb since. That is because he was last of five in the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell, but those were lofty heights compared to this race. With Rian Corcoran back on to claim weight, as he did at Warwick, his odds look far too big.
Newbury Racing Tips (Friday 17 April)
Newbury’s seven-race card on Friday builds anticipation for the Greenham Stakes on Saturday. In the class 2 novice event and class 3 staying handicap come our tipster’s best bets.
3.42 Newbury – Joulany (1pt win – 5/1)
Though four first-time winners oppose him here, Joulany may come good for Ralph Beckett. In the Al Shaqab colours, he was second in what has proven a very strong Kempton novice event last September. His turf debut was admittedly disappointing next time out at York. However, the winner of that race won the Listed Feilden Stakes at Newmarket on Wednesday. Even having shown promise on the course, it is the selection’s pedigree which is of most intrigue. He is a full brother to Al Aasy and Align The Stars, suggesting he will improve substantially this term. The step up to 1m2f looks wise for this first start at three and the 800,000gns purchase may now deliver.
4.20 Newbury – Pole Star (1pt win – 3/1)
Classical Allusion gave Constitution Hill something to think about last time out. Time will tell if that ends up being significant. In the meantime, for his first turf start and upped to 2m½f, he is worth opposing with proven stamina on grass. That comes in the shape of Pole Star for Charlie Johnston. The fact he contested the Cesarewitch as a three-year-old tells everything about where his strengths lie. He was three times a winner over 1m4f-1m6f last season. At 1m6f, he eventually found two strong handicaps to be beyond him in August and September before going for the Cesarewitch at the foot of the handicap. He acquitted himself well without featuring in that famous race. However, down 2lb, he could be a danger in calmer waters, especially as he ran a race of such promise on debut last term. That suggests he should go well fresh here.
GG Lucky 15 Tips – Friday 17 April
3.30 Ayr – Jipcot (1pt win – 10/1)
3.42 Newbury – Joulany (1pt win – 5/1)
4.05 Ayr – Phantomoftheppints (1pt win – 16/1)
4.20 Newbury – Pole Star (1pt win – 3/1)
GG Lucky 15 Tips – Friday 17 April
Today’s Meetings & Start Times
- Ayr – first race 13:45
- Newbury – first race 13:57
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
What are today’s GG Lucky 15 tips?
Joe Napier provides the GG Lucky 15 tips on Friday 17 April, which include selections at Ayr & Newbury.
When were Friday’s Lucky 15 tips for Ayr & Newbury published?
GG’s Lucky 15 tips for Friday 17 April were published at 3.30pm on Thursday 16 April.
Who is Joe Napier?
Joe Napier is the deputy editor of GG who gives tips and opinion throughout the week. He has been writing for GG for over four years and is hugely passionate about racing.
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