Sunday’s Racing Tips – Cool hands Kielan Woods will pounce late on the pesky Harper’s Brook

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Cairnzy's decision to go against the short-priced favourite was the correct decision, but he was on the wrong horse. Sprits Bay finished third in a race which saw the favourite finish down in 7th place, but the Twiston-Davies horse wasn't able to go with the two in front of him, as the front two pulled 8L clear.

Rizzel's tips

Harper's Brook 9/2 – Windsor 1.55

When you're having the bad run of form that I have encountered for quite a while, picking Harper's Brook probably isn't the avenue you want to go down. Despite this horse being a total monkey and having a track record of not going through with the job, I think he is worthy of a bet in this race where there is a strong pace.

Harper's Brook needs to be carried into his races and delivered as late as possible. Sometimes, if you're not into your jumps racing and you don't recognise this hose, you'd probably think Kielan Woods is taking the Micky by the way he rides him when in reality he is doing the correct thing. Last time out he produced Harper's Brook at the perfect time, as if you have some spare time, look back at some of his runs from years ago, the one at Sandown rings a bell where he completely chucks the race away when having plenty in the tank two strides before he then chucks the towel in. He is a big thinker, so he needs to be held up, kept on the bridle and not to be asked for any pressure because as soon as a jockey applies the pressure or uses the whip, he gives in.

Thankfully, with the likes of Matata, Editeur Du Gite and Sans Bruit, there should be a good gallop on show, and that will make it ideal for my selection. He probably isn't as well handicapped as a couple in this race, but I have reservations over the likes of Crebilly and Unexpected Party as I think they will be eying up Cheltenham festival/Spring handicaps so they might not want to win this, with those comments being focused at Crebilly as he was second at the Festival last year.

Git Maker 9/1 EW (4pl) – Windsor 2.30

It is a bit of a surprise to see Git Maker making a return to hurdles on his first start of the season, and when a horse does this it makes you think it's a prep run for something down the line, but I think they might believe he is on a decent enough handicap mark and can capitalise in winning a decent pot like today's race at Windsor.

Prior to going chasing, Git Maker was 3/4 over hurdles. In hindsight, he did win his races at a low level in comparison to his chase form, but he was also running over a much shorter distance, which would definitely not have been ideal given how well he stays. This horse is a Regional National horse over fences, he stays very strongly, shown by his third in the Scottish National, so now he is attempting 3m over hurdles, he looks worthy of a chance off a mark of 127 which is 6lbs lower than his ratings over fences.

The Jamie Snowden yard is going very well at present, with 4/10 winners in the last fortnight and given the way this horse returns after his breaks, his fitness shouldn't be questioned. He has won twice from long-term breaks since racing over rules, with the other two attempts seeing him finish in second spot, both times putting in great efforts.

Animal 14/1 EW (4pl) – Windsor 3.40

If certain horses in this race stay the trip, they are undoubtedly on a better mark than my selection Animal, but with that being a total guessing game, I am happy enough to back Animal in this race off a decent handicap mark.

When this meeting was at Lingfield last year, Animal was second in the Surrey National (today's equivalent), and was only beaten by a course specialist who had been laid out for the race well in advance. He is running off a 2lb lower mark this time around, and given the fact that we know he stays the trip well, handles the ground and is on a decent handicap mark, I thought it was a no-brainer at the current odds that he was the play in this race.

At 14/1 I think he is being massively overlooked for this race, as the only thing going against him is fitness on the back of a 272-day absence. But given he has previously run in this race and acquitted himself well, surely connections have had this race in their mind for quite a while and I think we will see a very dangerous version of Animal for today's race. With the extra places on offer, I think he is a shoo-in to be placed at the very least, given how well he stays the trip.

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