Leicester Tips: Consider this quick-fire McCain double on Tuesday

Owen McMahon

Feb 28

The action at Leicester on Tuesday is far from vintage, but there's a couple for trainer Donald McCain in the opening two races that catch my eye.

Starting with CENOTICE, the outsider of a trappy three-runner field, at 6/1 for the 0-120 handicap chase at 2.00.

The nine-year-old was in relatively decent form last season but, admittedly, hasn't been quite at it this term.

However, there are excuses - for example, he's entitled to come on for his first run of the campaign and was a massive 80/1 shot when well-beaten over hurdles last time out.

Going back over fences here with that run under his belt and jockey Theo Gillard claiming a valuable 3lbs provides optimism - and most importantly, these are significantly calmer waters.

Jonjo O'Neill's File Illico has failed to complete three contests in the last three months so cannot be advised whatsoever, while Great Heart'jac for Fergal O'Brien ran just five days ago and so, despite boasting the best recent form, there's every chance he might run flat here.

I can't see Cenotice winning many more races in his career, but he must have a great chance here at a lovely price.

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Half an hour later there's a 0-100 mares' handicap chase for which I think McCain's top-rated TOUGHASOLDBOOTS is worth chancing.

This is an extremely modest contest, and I often find at this level that consistency is hard to come by. However, the selection has been fairly consistent this season and as a five-year-old you'd like to think he's open to more improvement than his four rivals.

I think the step up to 2m4f on good ground will suit, and he only has under a length to find with Stamina Chope (now on 1lb better terms) - while the favourite Auditoria is hardly bombproof despite a much-improved effort last time out.

At the prices, I think Toughasoldboots (4/1) is the bet here. Fingers crossed Donald McCain has a fruitful Tuesday!

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