Racing tips: C&D winner Carolus Magnus can keep up the progression

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It was frustrating to see my only selection of Wednesday be a NR at around 7am. I thought the favourite was worth taking on, and I was proven to be right as that horse finished back in 3rd. Shame that our selection couldn't run in that race, as I thought he was capable of winning it and running a nice race at a decent price.

Newmarket 3:00

What appears to be quite a trappy contest on paper seems a lot weaker than I thought it did once I delved into it and studied the race. I thought CAROLUS MAGNUS was the most likeliest winner in this, having that progressive profile which so many punters latch onto. He is the current market favourite, and I can see why, but he's not a terrible price at 11/4 – 5/2, so I'll be getting involved.

C&D form is always a positive for any race when studying the form, but especially Newmarket as it's very niche with the dip it has in the final 2f or so. Not many horses seem to handle the dip all that well, so the fact that this lad is 2/2 at the track is a big benefit. The manner in which he won on the final start of last year was in taking fashion and he did it much easier than the winning margin of 2L suggests. He was put up 5lb for that win, and that looks more than generous, with further progress expected now he is a 4yo. The time away from the track and betting on a horse on his first start of the season is never fun, but I think he is worth a chance in a race which is definitely winnable.

There are some interesting runners in this, no other than top weight Intellogent who makes his stable debut for Jane Chapple-Hyam. This once Class 1 French performer has dropped down the weights, and is a 7yo. Any money which arrives neeeds to be respected. Via Serendipity is a horse who has ability, but I can never seem to get him right, I'm begging today is a prep run for something further down the line, if fit I rate him as the main danger. Hortzadar was 5th in this race last year, but that was off 3lbs higher when you take the rider's claim off who rode him that day. I think that race was harder, so should find this easier, but I think it's best to look elsewhere despite the fact he ran well lto. Ataser will probably need the run going off his runs after a break. There are others who could have a squeak but they're not for me.

Ripon 2:15

It could be daft to take on the course specialist Mark's Choice, who won this race last year and has a very good record when returning from a wind-op (2 wins from next start after 4 wind ops), but a mark of 82 makes this a tough task, and soft ground doesn't look ideal conditions for him even though he has raced well on it before. FOLLOW YOUR HEART is my fancy in this, after a couple of very good efforts for his new yard Mark Loughnane.

I'm hoping he races prominently again, like he did last time out, as that seems to suit him best. He won on heavy at Doncaster over 5.5f a couple of years ago for Kevin Ryan when making all, and with the bias at this track, and in this race in particular, I think he could make a run to the far side and make all. He is drawn in stall 1, which means he more than likely will go to the far side, as he will have to use up a decent amount of petrol if he wants to get to the stand's side rail. On soft ground, Ripon has often seen to have a bias to the far side, so if Louis Steward takes that approach, I can't see that being a problem.

This horse will be fit from his recent runs on the AW and his recent start on turf, which has proven to be quite good form. I think the track and drop back to 6f will suit as he travelled nicely through his race last time, but didn't manage to see it out. He has pace, so should go through his race nicely.

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