Good Ground Sets Up Cracking Friday Night
Friday evening at Leicester promises a proper feast of National Hunt action, and by Jaysus, we've got some genuine quality on show tonight. The good ground will suit the speedier types, and with eight races packed with intrigue, punters are in for a treat on this May evening.
The Leicester racecard is headlined by Nicky Henderson's Calimystic in the feature 3m210y chase, but there's value to be found throughout the card if you know where to look. The going description of 'Good' will play right into the hands of the sharper types, though stamina will still tell over the longer trips.
Feature Race: Henderson's Calimystic Commands Respect
The £15,000 Huyton Asphalt Memorial Chase at 18:55 is the evening's main event, and it's hard to look beyond Calimystic for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. This seven-year-old has been knocking on the door at a higher level, and dropping back to a Class 3 handicap off a mark of 128 looks like a masterstroke from the Seven Barrows maestro.
The three-mile trip on good ground should suit Calimystic down to the ground. Henderson's string is flying at the moment, and when the champion trainer sends one to an evening meeting like this, you sit up and take notice. Loughderg Rocco for Sean Bowen and the in-form Olly Murphy yard represents the main danger, with his course and distance credentials giving him a fighting chance.
Erne River brings experience at 11 years old, but his best days might be behind him. The value play could be Regarde for Jamie Snowden - he's been running well in defeat and the drop in class could see him finally get his head in front.
Novice Hurdle Sets The Tone
The opening Inkerman London Novices' Hurdle at 16:35 kicks things off with a bang. Road To Wembley stands out like a sore thumb with his official rating of 120 - the only horse in the field with a published mark. For Sean Bowen and Olly Murphy, this looks like a penalty kick.
The danger comes from the unknown quantities. Into Battle for Ciaran Gethings and Robert Stephens could be anything, while James Bowen on Jet Renegade brings Welsh raiding party vibes that always deserve respect. But unless Road To Wembley has gone backwards, this should be straightforward.
Mares' Hurdle Provides Puzzle
The 17:10 mares' handicap hurdle over an extended two and a half miles is a proper head-scratcher. My Chiquita tops the weights on 122 but has been disappointing lately. The value might lie with Masked Dance, who brings both course and distance form to the table for Charlie Deutsch.
Atlantic City for the Murphy-Bowen combination catches the eye dropping down in trip, while Roaring Home for Sam Twiston-Davies and Henry Daly could outrun her odds at the bottom of the weights. In these competitive mares' races, it often pays to side with the improvers rather than the exposed types.
Handicap Hurdle Brings Competitive Heat
The 18:20 handicap hurdle is where the real punting puzzle lies. Brewin'upastorm might be 13 years old, but this warrior has course and distance form and knows his way around Leicester better than most. At the weights, he could easily roll back the years.
Rambo T for the Murphy stable represents the class angle, while Fingal's Hill brings solid northern form for Peter Atkinson. Jonathan Burke has been riding with confidence lately, and any of his mounts deserve a second look in competitive handicaps like this.
Last Kingdom for Harry Cobden could be the improver in the field, while the veteran Luttrell Lad with Alice Stevens claiming might just sneak into the frame at a price.
Evening Finale and Bumper Intrigue
The evening's two closing races provide their own entertainment. The 20:05 handicap hurdle sees Jamada for the unstoppable Murphy-Bowen axis take on a competitive field, while Uhtred Ragnarson brings Alan King's training prowess to bear.
The bumper finale with 16 runners is anyone's guess, but College Road with amateur rider Mr Tommie M. O'Brien could be worth a speculative punt. These point-to-point graduates often improve dramatically for their first taste of proper track racing.
The Verdict: Where The Smart Money Goes
Tonight's card screams quality from top to bottom, and the good ground will ensure we see some slick jumping and genuine pace. Calimystic in the feature race looks the banker of the evening - Henderson doesn't send them here to make up the numbers.
Road To Wembley should make short work of the opener, while the mares' race could throw up a surprise or two. Sean Quinlan and the northern raiders always bring value to these evening meetings, so keep an eye on their chances throughout the card.
The beauty of Friday night racing at Leicester is the competitive nature of every contest. Sure, there are a few standout chances, but the handicaps will provide plenty of drama and the odd surprise winner. That's what makes this game so bloody addictive, isn't it?
