Timeform Radio Tips: Monsieur Rieussec the man at Newmarket

David Cleary concentrates on the action at Newmarket

With plenty to have a go at today, David Cleary has selected two bets for you at Newmarket...

Busy is not the word for this afternoon's racing programme - five highly competitive Flat cards, offering thirty-six races with not a single favourite forecast to go off at odds on. Haydock's card offers the day's pattern-race action, but the meeting at Newmarket, though it's handicap-heavy, sees some useful performers in action and may provide the day's best betting opportunities.

The mile event at 16.40 features a couple of last-time-out maiden winners making their handicap debut, in the shape of Granell and Ghost Runner. Both have claims, with the potential to improve after a limited number of runs, but neither had to run to the pick of their previous form to gain that victory and neither looks obviously well in, switching to handicap company. Both look short enough in the betting. Corn Snow makes some appeal against them, though it's a puzzle why he is being tried in blinkers after running his best race yet at Musselburgh a week ago. Therefore, Monsieur Rieussec looks the option against the likely favourites. He shaped well at Windsor on his reappearance, travelling strongly for a long way over a mile and a quarter.

Monsieur Rieussec left the impression that the run was needed but equally it could have been his stamina was stretched, and his overall record suggests today's shorter trip won't be a problem. He figures on a good mark on the pick of his form at two and his trainer Jonathan Portman has found form with a vengeance in the last three weeks, ending a barren spell with four wins from eleven runners, the last two at odds of 25/1 and 33/1. Monsieur Rieussec could further enhance that record.

The mile-and-a-quarter handicap at 14.20 features a rematch between Ehtedaam and Nabucco, who finished first and third in a similar event on the Rowley Mile last month. Both were making their reappearance that day, though on balance the likelihood is that Ehtedaam will confirm placings on worse terms. However, he's priced accordingly, and there is a potentially more dangerous opponent for him in the shape of Niceofyoutotellme, who made a successful reappearance himself, at Kempton in April. That form has proved strong and so has that of Niceofyoutotellme's final run at three, in a handicap at Sandown in which four of the eight behind him also won a handicap on their next start. That run suggests Niceofyoutotellme will have no problem reverting to turf this afternoon and he rates the bet in an open-looking contest.

Recommended Bets:
Back Monsieur Rieussec @ 7.613/2 in the 16.40 at Newmarket
Back Niceofyoutotellme @ 5.04/1 in the 14.20 at Newmarket

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