Horse Racing Tips, Saturday 20th February

13:15, Ascot: Yala Enki @ 3/1 – 2 point win

Today’s first port of call is the opening race at Ascot, where it is Yala Enki who gets the nod. Venetia Williams’ gelding has looked a promising type in recent outings and comes here in fine fettle, having progressed nicely with each of his four runs this campaign.

After battling on really well to win The Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton in January, the six year old turned in another pleasing effort when finishing third in a grade 3 event last time out at Sandown.

Based on what we’ve seen so far it’s hard to find any reason why he wouldn’t give another good account of himself in this race. After all, today’s contest does look a little less demanding in terms of strength in depth. It’s no secret that the Venetia Williams horses thrive in the softer ground so the forecast soft to heavy shouldn’t pose any problems. While the fact that the six year old has proven he stays a good deal further than this looks a real bonus given that they are likely to be racing on stamina-sapping ground.

We’re talking about an unexposed horse who has barely put a foot wrong this season and it would no surprise to see further progression today and, at the prices, he looks a good bet to take his career strike rate to an impressive 50% by recording what would be the third victory over hurdles.

15:10, Lingfield: Sheila’s Buddy @ 12/1 – 1 point each way

The betting for the 15:10 at Lingfield would suggest that the race is all about the top weighted, Franklin D, who is likely to go off a very short price favourite. However, Sheila’s Buddy is one who might just be foolishly overlooked in the betting and – at what is a very nice price indeed – could easily run a big race.

Not only is the Stanley Moore trained runner twice a winner over C&D, he also boasts a solid course record that reads 1^st, 1^st, 9^th, 3^rd, 2^nd, 4^th, 4^th, 2^nd and 2^nd. Those back to back second place finished over C&D have come in his last two races where it was late in the day that his best work was seen.

Last time out the pace set by the leaders was a fair bit slower than what is probably ideal for this horse and coming from behind to finish 2^nd by half a length was a decent effort. Today’s race is admittedly a tad better in terms of quality, although this means the selection races from an eye-catching, low weight. It is fancied that with the likes of Gianstepsahead in this line up the gallop set could be far less generous and thus should play into the hands of a finisher, such as Sheila’s Buddy.

At a course and over a trip that clearly suits, under the right sort of racing conditions, this horse looks as though he should be capable of taking a contest of this nature and at odds of 12/1 is well worth an each way punt (only two places paid).

15:45, Lingfield: Primrose Valley @ 8/1 – 1 point each way

Saturday’s third and final selection also comes from the all-weather meeting at Lingfield, where in the 15:45, it is, Primrose Valley, who could easily outrun his generous price tag.

Having racked up four wins on the bounce back in 2014 (the last off a mark of 98) Ed Vaughan, having raced the selection in some highly competitive class 2 handicaps, may have simply used the 2015 season as an outlet to bring his gelding back down in the handicap.

Now 2lbs lower than his last win, the four year olds looks to have been pitched into a very winnable race indeed. The fact that he finished a never-nearer than 11th of 13 on his return roughly a month ago shouldn’t put punters off, as this was over a less than ideal seven furlongs and in a better quality of race. It is more than likely that the race last time out was used as a sharpener in order to ensure he stripped fitter before being pitched into a more realistic contest.

All things considered, Primrose Valley seems to have plenty going for him in this race and at odds of 8/1 is worthy of an each way bet (2 places paid).