Monday Racing Tips: Ajero can claim Ponte prize

Rob Eddy

Apr 24

A busy Monday is in store across Britain and Ireland with five meetings taking place and plenty of competitive action to look forward to.

Jumps cards come from Hexham and Kempton while they race on the Flat at Windsor, Pontefract and Naas - with the Irish venue boasting the Listed Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital Woodlands Stakes (6.40) as the race of the day.

Monday's selections include one for Kim Bailey and Jim Crowley with a chance to shine on seasonal bow at Pontefract.

Selections

Pontefract 3.00 - Ajero @ 6/1
Windsor 4.20 - Warhol @ 10/3
Kempton 4.50 - Alien Storm @ 5/1

Tip 1

AJERO (6/1) is taken to shine in the RIU Hotels And Resorts Handicap at Pontefract for Kim Bailey.

The eight-year-old was a talented hurdler, winning five of ten starts and achieving a rating of 140 at his best, and he proved quite consistent last year when switching his focus to the Flat.

A rather frustrating run of seconds was endured at the likes of Chepstow, Sandown and Ascot - four runs - before notching a 1m1f success at Goodwood in July in the hands of today's rider Jim Crowley.

Though disappointing next time at Sandown, he ended the term back on the Sussex Downs in October when a close third behind useful dual-purpose performer Tritonic upped to 1m4f off a mark of 98.

He returns off the same mark now and with no worries dropped back in trip. Ajero has also proven his ability to go well after a break and has plenty in his favour in this Betfred Extra Place Race (four places) and he bids to justify his slot on the Most Napped table via the Betfred Betfinder for Monday's action.

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Tip 2

Another to come from the Most Napped table is WARHOL (10/3) in the Marquee Handicap at Windsor for trainer George Baker.

The Belardo gelding remains a maiden after ten career starts but he went close at Epsom (1m4f, heavy) on his last run of 2022 in September and he shaped nicely here last Monday on his return over 1m2f on soft ground, finishing two-lengths third.

The extra yardage seems sure to favour him now from an unchanged mark with Neil Callan staying the plate and the soft ground is also a plus-point for this four-year-old gelding, who ought to find his turn coming sooner rather than later this season.

Horse Racing Odds

Tip 3

Nicky Henderson will be hoping that Russian Ruler can get the job done for him in the Racing TV Novices' Hurdle that opens proceedings at Kempton this evening but he has more on his plate after winning last time at Newbury.

He's 7lb higher now and ALIEN STORM (4/1) looks a solid alternative for Charlie Longsdon.

A winner at Plumpton (2m, good to soft) on hurdles bow in October, he ran well again at this track over C&D in November before coming up well short in a better race here at Christmas.

He was back from a break at the start of this month at Stratford and can be forgiven that run on heavy ground. He should be fitter for it and has a useful 7lb claimer easing his burden now. Back over a track and trip where he boasts form, he should give a good account.