Racing tips: Speedy 2yo Armour Propre will be suited by the drop back to 5f

This tip has expired. Please check our free horse racing tips section of the website to find the most up to date.

A very poor day for my runners on Tuesday with all three running very badly. A Taste Of Honey was horrendous and it was a terrible viewing and I knew from the first 10-15 yards that she wasn't winning. Hollie was pushing on her from the get-go and from the position she was in, it was over before it began. 

Carlisle 1:20

 Trainer: Richard Hannon

 Jockey: Pat Dobbs

 Form: 4

It's unusual to see a Richard Hannon runner on the Cumbria track of Carlisle, but I wouldn't read too much into that to be the only reason to back ARMOUR PROPRE as he sends a few others up to that track today.

From the horses who have shown their hand from their racecourse experiences, I'd say the market has probably got the correct favourite with Washington Heights. Kevin Ryan does well at this track and his horse ran well enough to warrant a relatively short price for his second run, but I think a drop back to 5f could be fruitful for Armour Propre and he looks an excellent alternative to the favourite.

The form of his run at Salisbury isn't strong by any means and I'm not backing him on that basis. The way he travelled through the race looked like a horse with real speed and has the potential over the minimum trip. He was travelling the best that day and looked to have had his head screwed on for his first run. I think the stiff nature of Salisbury and the 6f caught his stamina for wanting, but he shaped with real promise and I think an easier track over a furlong shorter will be right up his street.

He has a lot of entries in the big sales races later on in the season, so they must think he's half-decent, as they are not easy races to win. His pedigree from the Dam's side would give you confidence that he will be better over further but he is by Profitable who was a very quick horse and has produced some quick offspring.

Carlisle 3:55

 Trainer: David Simcock

 Jockey: Joe Fanning

 Form: 255-13

I noted CLITHEROE down as a horse to follow on the back of her recent 3rd placed finish in a Musselburgh Class 1 Listed Fillies' race where she struggled to find the gaps, but stayed on powerfully when eventually getting a clear passage.

Whether that form line is the one to follow for this race, it's up for debate, but I think this filly is Class 1 level and if she manages to get the breaks in this race, I feel she can put her best foot forward and go very close. Joe Fanning had a bit of a nightmare on her last time out. She was held right off the pace and Joe went for an imaginary gap on the fence which was quickly shut down and then this filly had the impossible mission of finding the ground to trouble the leader who had an easy time of things of the front end. After weaving through the field she managed to grab 3rd, which was a good effort when you see the nightmare of a race she had.

This looks like a strong Class 1 Listed race with Oscula bringing in good pieces of form from her juvenile season as well as a recent runner-up finish. Clitheroe isn't the price I was hoping for, and I would expect a potential drift, but that won't put me off if it does happen as you know she'll be coming into this race in peak condition at an attempt to get a winning piece of black type to her name.

Horse Racing Tips

🔗 Share Your Horse Racing Tips on Social Media