Matt Mitter, CEO of Value Rater Racing Club - the free destination for news, tips, big race previews and reviews - gives his expert insights into Wednesday 1 May's race of the evening.
7.35 Ringwood Forty Niner Handicap (Class 3) 1m6f
Five runners for the Race of the evening at Bath but I am expecting a thrilling finish with all five runners holding claims of winning. Two of the runners were here on Good Friday and take each other on again but this time over the staying distance of 1m6f. The first is BAYSHORE FREEWAY who could be the horse to put pace into this race and who cried out for a step up in distance last time. The horse has tried this distance once before at Chelmsford and when Mark Johnson horses get out in front, they are always hard to pass and this fella is a big runner. The other, CRY WOLF, finished behind BAYSHORE FREEWAY here last time and I really can't see this one turning the tables on the Johnson horse although I expect him to be competitive. I just feel the latter is likely to find more improvement now it's stepping back up in distance.
Jockey Megan Nicholls is the daughter of Champion National Hunt Trainer Paul Nicholls and she rides MACHINE LEARNER for trainer Joseph Tuite. Fitness must be taken on trust but this six-year-old, who is more exposed than most of his rivals, must have a big chance if fit enough. I just wonder if the younger legs of the others in the field might just tell!
SEAFARER shoulders top weight but yet another who must have strong claims of winning now connections seem sure about this being the horse's optimum distance having tried for the first time at Chelmsford 60 days ago. More positive tactics from Jockey Martin Dwyer could see this horse go very close.
Last but not least is SMART CHAMPION who is the less exposed in the field having only ran three times so far. Since we last saw the horse 188 day’s ago, he has been Gelded which might indicate that connections felt he didn’t fully have his mind on the job. He does know how to win as triumphed at Catterick over 1m6f and it will be very interesting to see how he gets on this season; he looks on a nice mark now handicapping.
A cracking race and I am sure the form will work out very well going forward.
Selection - BAYSHORE FREEWAY
Fancy a forecast on the Tote - 3 to beat 2
Be Lucky
Matt (CEO Value Rater Racing Club)
