Racing tips: Bella Blue Eyes can take the step up to Class 1 level in her stride

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Clive Cox's impressive recent record in the Bullet at Beverley continued on Saturday with Kerdos winning. It wasn't ideal to see him trapped in on the rail and I was thinking he wouldn't get the gaps, but he did get the gaps and he powered up the stiff finish which I thought he would've enjoyed.

Potapova managed to grab a place, returning a small amount of profit. Watching it live I didn't think she got a place as Novus was flying late in the race and I 100% thought she nicked the last place. Ryan Moore didn't give Potapova the best of rides, she might not have won if getting a fully clear race, but I would've liked to have seen it unfold as I thought she found plenty under pressure.

Tipperary 3:45 – Bella Blue Eyes 11/1 (0.5pt EW Bet365)

It's a shame that Matilda Picotte is in this race as she is probably going to challenge Bella Blue Eyes for the lead, but I still think my selection can win. The former horse only seems to know one way of running and she has the inside stall so getting to the front won't be an issue. I'm hoping that Billy Lee uses his noggin, sits behind Matilda, and uses her as a target.

On ratings, Paddy Twomey's horse has a bit to find, but I don't think this race is too strong. If the ground was testing I think the top weight, Honey Girl would be of major interest, but on fast ground, I think she isn't as effective, but I'd imagine she'd run a big race still. I believe that Bella's form in the last three runs is better than what it looks on first viewing. She beat a couple of decent horses at Leopardstown, the runner-up has won since, producing an RPR of 100 and finishing 4th at Class 1 level, and the third-placed horse has won twice since. In the last two runs, she has been running over a mile, and though she managed to win once and finish second the other time I think she is better over 7f as she plugs on over 7f but at a mile, it seems to test her stamina a bit too much. Even though I believe she isn't best suited by a mile she ran a blinder to finish 2nd last time out and I think the front 3 (Bella Blue Eyes included) are all decent horses who could make the jumps into Class 1 company.

The ground at Tipperary is classed as yielding on the morning of Saturday, but they are expecting sunny weather for the next 24 hours which should dry the ground out to at least good ground, which the mud lovers will probably find too fast.

Paddy Twomey, trainer of Bella Blue Eyes won this race back in 2021 so he knows the calibre of horse required to win this race, which is always nice as he is a shrewd trainer and he wouldn't be pitching his horse into a race he doesn't think she is capable of winning.

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