Sunday’s Racing Tips – A career-low handicap mark gives Animal a chance to bounce back

Warwick was abandoned after the 8 am inspection left them with no choice but to call off their biggest meeting of the season.

That meant Mr Vango was not able to take his chance in the Classic Chase, leaving us with Came From Nowhere in the Lanzarote at Kempton.

Only for that horse to be a non-runner a couple of hours before the race started, meaning we had nothing for Saturday.

Animal 14/1 (1pt) – Fontwell 1.30

If the ground wasn't going to be as soft as it will be, Roe And Co would be the obvious one to be on. However, I refuse to believe a horse can be winning races on good to firm and soft off back-to-back career high marks. For that reason, I wanted to take him on.

Record High seems like the obvious one to go against him with, but he was behind Animal when the pair met in a Class 3 race. Honestly, both of them ran below par, but Animal was well ahead of him that day, so I think he deserves a chance off a career-low mark.

Animal used to be a useful staying handicapper, but has gone off the boil as he has gotten older. He hasn't run terribly this year in Class 3 races, and last time out in a Class 5, you have to ignore it as he had an amateur in the saddle.

Charlie Deutsch remains one of the best jockeys over a fence, so having him is a huge positive. It's a concern that Isabelle Ryder isn't on board, as she is the most used jockey for Suzy Smith this year (chosen to ride Record High).

If on song, we know he handles the ground and stays the trip, so at decent odds I thought he was worth a chance.

Mr Griffiths 11/2 (1pt) – Fontwell 3.00

In races like this, where the majority of the field is exposed and stuck in the depths of Class 5 races, I like to take a chance on the unexposed one to improve.

From what we've seen from Mr Griffiths in his three hurdle starts, it looks like he should be staying at this level. However, he has only had three runs, and that is the magic number which gives you a handicap mark. Sure enough, on handicap debut, they have decided to hike him up in distance by nearly a mile.

When I see this tactic, it instantly pops out to me that the horse is finally getting a trip he wants, and that his qualifying runs for a handicap mark were done purely for that reason. His pedigree isn't amazing, but I think the okay bumper run in 2024 left the impression that he has ability.

Jonjo O'Neill is a crafty trainer and knows how to work the handicapping system, so it's not a surprise that this is happening. Obviously, the horse has to stay the trip and prove he is good enough, but this is a poor race and shouldn't take much winning.

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