Saturday’s Racing Tips – Valiant Force can give Robson De Aguiar a first winner on British soil

To walk away with no winner on Friday is a tad confusing, as in both races, it looked like they were both going to win.

Haut Folin would have been trading short for the win, but his chance of winning came a fair few furlongs from home. He cruised into contention, but then went from being the likely winner to having nothing left in the tank in the space of five strides.

Jubilee Express didn't last home on testing ground at Exeter over the Devon National trip, which is a tad surprising. He had a couple of lengths to spare jumping three from home, but the winner kept grinding and outstayed Jubilee Express who was shattered jumping the last.

Valiant Force 9/4 (1pt) – Lingfield 1.25

Very rarely do I have a bet on the flat during the jumps season, but I've made an exception for Valiant Force. At the time of writing (around midday on Friday), he is sitting at a backable price. If you see this, then his price will be the same, or still at what I believe is value.

I cannot comment on the trainer, who is based in Ireland, as I know nothing about him. However, I know this is his first runner in the UK, but that's nothing special, given the owners are big players in England.

Over 5f, I think he has to be the one to beat, which is why I was surprised that Diligent Harry was challenging him for the top of the market. The horse I've just named won over 6f last time out in a deadheat, but I think Valiant Force is a different level of horse compared to the ones in that race.

Valiant Force is 5/12 on the all-weather and is 2/2 on his last two starts over 5f. I think this track could be well-suited for him and his running style, and I'm expecting a big run.

The form of his recent win is very solid, battering Kerdos by over four lengths, which is nothing to be laughed at.

Hold The Serve 5/2 (1pt) – Kempton 1.10

I was very tempted to back Hold The Serve on his second run over hurdles, as he was backed in like defeat wasn't in the minds of connections on his hurdling debut at Cheltenham.

For whatever reason, he flopped massively at Cheltenham. Maybe he had a problem with his wind as he hasn't looked back since having his wind surgery a couple of days after his Cheltenham defeat.

He recorded an RPR of 126 on his first win at Wincanton, beating some decent novice hurdlers and then won with his head in his chest when going off as the 2/5F on his last start at Market Rasen.

This is definitely his toughest assignment to date on his handicap debut, but the handicapper has given him a rating of 123, which looks to be on the low side. Apart from a couple, the majority of the horses in this race are exposed, and we don't know the ceiling of Hold The Serve, so he gets my vote.

Javert Allen 7/2 (1pt) – Kempton 4.05

I was happy with the effort from Javert Allen last time out when tipped up at Cheltenham on his first start over 2m 4f. The way he was running, he gave Ciaran Gethings no chance of getting him to settle, as the horse was bombing off on the front and was enjoying his racing.

If he does something similar, there is a strong possibility that he gets away with it at this time. Kempton has been known as a front-running track for years, and if you can nick an easy lead before turning for home, it can be difficult to be pegged back. If he settles, I think this could be a walk in the park for him.

He finished third in a Grade 3 handicap last time out. He was beaten by Donnacha, who is a consistent and improving chaser, and Jagwar (favourite for races at the Festival). That is solid form, and considering Javert Allen is running off the same handicap mark, it gives him every chance of winning this.

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