Free horse racing tips for Monday April 23

18:44 · TUE April 24, 2018

Chris Wilson says Poyle Vinnie can win for the first time since his transfer to Ruth Carr's at Pontefract on Monday. He has a tip for every race.

Poyle Vinnie can win for the first time since his transfer to Ruth Carr's yard when he takes the plunge in the big race of the day at Pontefract.

A strong field has been assembled for the Riu Hotels And Resorts Handicap, but many of the big-hitters could well need the run, having been off the track for a long time.

That should not apply to Poyle Vinnie, who has been on the go since January.

The eight-year-old gelding did well for former trainer Mick Appleby but showed at Chelmsford earlier in the month that Carr is now getting to grips with him.

Poyle Vinnie was beaten two lengths by Tavener in a hot little sprint at the Essex circuit, and yet he has been relieved 2lb by the assessor for this race.

He also knows the time of day at Pontefract, having won twice at the Yorkshire circuit.

And though he is not getting any quicker at this advanced stage of his career, a perfectly coherent argument can be made to suggest that he should not be dismissed lightly at the foot of the weights.

Champion jockey Silvestre de Sousa has already cut loose this season and can add another winner to his spring tally by guiding Starboy to success in the concluding one-mile handicap on the Pontefract card.

George Scott's three-year-old won nicely at Brighton last autumn and must have given his team optimism upon his return to the fray at Newcastle in March.

Starboy flew home for third place in a one-mile handicap on what was his first spin for five months.

That should set him up a treat for this assignment, while it almost goes without saying that the appointment of De Sousa is a clear statement of intent.

Windsor racegoers should be in clover by supporting Leo Minor in the Horse Guards Gin Cup Handicap at Windsor.

Robert Cowell's gelded son of War Front must shoulder top weight in this five-furlong dash, but he made a significant breakthrough at Chelmsford in the same race in which Poyle Vinnie finished second.

Leo Minor did not have a great deal of fortune that day, either, as he was continually bumped and pinched for room at important times.

But the manner in which he kept going once given a clear run was especially reassuring as he was only a short head away from Poyle Vinnie at the line.

This former Aidan O'Brien inmate has a lot to offer off a mark of 83.

Sporting Life Tips

HEXHAM: 1.50 Crixus's Escape, 2.20 Sky Full Of Stars, 2.50 Pineapple Rush, 3.20 Only Orsenfoolsies, 3.50 Orioninverness, 4.20 Melekhov, 4.55 Kings Lodge.

NAVAN: 4.25 Sergei Prokofiev, 5.00 Hawaam, 5.30 G Force, 6.00 Washington DC, 6.30 Lethal Steps, 7.00 Beau Satchel, 7.30 Beau Satchel, 8.00 Days Without End.

NEWTON ABBOT: 1.30 Iniesta, 2.00 Sensulano, 2.30 Some Buckle, 3.00 Higgs, 3.30 General Girling, 4.00 Here's Herbie, 4.30 Strumble Head.

PONTEFRACT: 2.10 Bengali Spirit, 2.40 Dawaaleeb, 3.10 POYLE VINNIE (NAP), 3.40 Indian Red, 4.10 Three Saints Bay, 4.40 Ingenuity, 5.15 Dragstone Rock, 5.45 Starboy.

SEDGEFIELD: 5.10 Derrynane, 5.40 Rear Admiral, 6.10 Hurricane Dylan, 6.40 Roxyfet, 7.10 Danceintothelight, 7.40 Eco Warrior, 8.10 It's O Kay.

WINDSOR: 4.50 Run With Pride, 5.20 Blasim, 5.50 Leo Minor, 6.20 Stream Song, 6.50 Fajjaj, 7.20 Amuletum, 7.50 Naval Officer.

DOUBLE: Poyle Vinnie and Leo Minor.