Timeform Radio Tips: Wednesday January 23

One of David's bets goes at Kempton tonight.

David Cleary suggests bets at Ayr and Kempton...

There were inspections called for all today's meetings, but the good news is that three of the four that had made it this far have got the go-ahead. The additional meeting at Ayr is still in the balance but hopefully will go ahead, for the track has been rewarded with decent size fields, with runners drawn from far and wide. That includes raiders from David Pipe's yard in the west country, the Pipe team sending out the likely favourite in both the feature hurdle and chase, but at least one of them looks worth taking on.

In the handicap chase at 15.10, Pipe's Consigliere is sure to be popular after his good second off today's mark at Wincanton earlier in the month. However, Consigliere is not the most resolute off the bridle and this looks potentially more competitive than that contest. And there are a pair of fellow veterans who also look generously handicapped. Stormin Exit made an encouraging start for Donald McCain's stable when runner-up at Musselburgh after a lengthy break and also gets to run off a mark that's lenient on his old form. However, Tail of The Bank is even more generously treated, having been dropped for each of his runs this season. He shaped as if still short of fitness at Chepstow last time but travelled well for a long way, leaving the impression a lot of his old ability was still there. If he's come on for that then he will take some beating this afternoon.

On the all-weather, the eleven-furlong maiden at Kempton at 17.00 is an interesting contest. Luggers Hall holds a good chance on Flat form, though he was out of sorts when last seen over hurdles late last year (possibly due to the ground) and looks short enough at morning prices. There are several three year olds that merit a look, the once-raced El Massivo and the newcomers Magical Kingdom and Federal Blue, but the year-older Rayadour could be overpriced. He showed fair form in France and was well backed on his hurdling debut in November, but seemed found out by the very testing ground that day. His trainer Alan King does well with his older runners on the Flat and it looks significant he's aiming Rayadour back on the level.

Recommended Bets:
Back Tail of The Bank @ 11.010/1 in the 15.10 at Ayr
Back Rayadour @ 5.79/2 in the 17.00 at Kempton

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