Austrian School in action
Austrian School in action

Free horse racing selections for Saturday April 20


Keith Hamer is backing Austrian School to extend Mark Johnston's good record at Musselburgh on Saturday - he's got a tip for every race on every card.

NAP: Austrian School (3.35 Musselburgh)

Next Best: Agrotera (3.45 Kempton)

Austrian School can pass the stamina examination that is the Queen's Cup Stakes with flying colours at Musselburgh.

The four-year-old will have been well prepared by his trainer Mark Johnston in preparation for this valuable test over a mile and three-quarters.

The son of Teofilo displayed plenty of promise as a young stayer last season, and showed he comes to hand early by winning his first two starts.

He may not have got his head in front again last term, but he ran well on numerous occasions - both in handicaps and at Listed level. This could well be the season he comes into his own.

Johnston can initiate a double with Reggae Runner in the Royal Mile Handicap.

The Lethal Force colt has improved for each of his three runs inside a month, culminating in victory at Lingfield in February.

Although this will be the first time he has encountered turf in public, he no doubt will know what is expected from Johnston's gallops at Middleham and be primed for a return to action.

The Scottish Sprint Cup Handicap has a fiendish look to it - but it has proved nothing of the sort for Mick Appleby twice in the last five years, including with Caspian Prince 12 months ago.

This time, the Oakham trainer has Saaheq nestling near the foot of the weights for his return to the turf after a consistent winter on the all-weather.

The five-year-old was a short-head runner-up on his most recent start at Southwell two weeks ago, and generally races as if this return to the shortest distance will suit him fine.

Agrotera burst on the scene in 2018 with victory in the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot, but just failed to strike at Listed level on her three subsequent starts.

Ed Walker's filly can put that right in the Racing TV Snowdrop Fillies' Stakes at Kempton on her seasonal debut.

Walker has never lost faith in the four-year-old, who could well come into her own this season.

Cayirli lifted the Racing TV Queen's Prize Handicap off a mark of 92 last year and bids for a repeat from 1lb lower despite a course-and-distance triumph in February.

Seamus Durack must fancy the seven-year-old's chances of back-to-back victories.

Ignatius has failed to justify market confidence as a beaten favourite on his last two starts, but better can be expected in the DS Derby Salon Handicap at Nottingham.

John Best's three-year-old is down 2lb for his sixth of 14 at Lingfield last time, and he can break his duck on his switch back to turf.

Lunar Deity may be at the sprightly old age of 10, but he has already won twice this year. Stuart Williams' charge can make it three in the Streamline Taxis 01273 202020 Handicap at Brighton, where he is a course regular.

Haydock's Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle is typically competitive - but Ian Williams' relative veteran Faithful Mount has been knocking on the door of late in decent races and may hit the jackpot this time.

Irish raider A Place Apart can land the spoils in the Challenger Middle Distance Chase Series Final Handicap Chase.

Gavin Cromwell's five-year-old has enjoyed his jaunts to British shores in the past. Successful at Kempton in October, he was third at Aintree in December - and has not raced since.

That was a qualifier for this race, and the Champion Hurdle-winning trainer's patience looks like being rewarded.

Sporting Life tips

BRIGHTON: 4.45 Swissal, 5.20 Out Of Breath, 5.50 Mamillius, 6.20 Creek Harbour, 6.50 Stormingin, 7.20 Contingency Fee, 7.50 Lunar Deity.

CARLISLE: 1.40 Lady Kyria, 2.15 Wishfull Dreaming, 2.50 Whoshotthesheriff, 3.25 School Lane, 4.00 Cairnshill, 4.35 Petite Ganache, 5.10 Dartmoor.

CORK: 1.20 Tracker Saga, 1.55 The Names Jock, 2.30 Karawaan, 3.05 Eclipse Storm, 3.40 Zarandi, 4.10 Dark Endeavour, 4.45 Villa Maria, 5.20 Gentile Bellini.

HAYDOCK: 1.30 Martila, 2.05 Red Tornado, 2.40 Quarenta, 3.15 Faithful Mount, 3.50 Molly Carew, 4.20 A Place Apart, 4.55 Straidnahanna.

KEMPTON: 1.25 Rathagan, 2.00 Cowboy Soldier, 2.35 Nausha, 3.10 Senza Limiti, 3.45 Agrotera, 4.15 Naadirr, 4.50 Cosmelli.

MUSSELBURGH: 1.50 Three Saints Bay, 2.25 Reggae Runner, 3.00 Saaheq, 3.35 AUSTRIAN SCHOOL (NAP), 4.05 Mount Kinabalu, 4.40 Andok, 5.15 Suwaan, 5.45 Our Place In Loule.

NEWTON ABBOT: 1.35 River Bray, 2.10 Apple Mack, 2.45 Calin Du Brizais, 3.20 Boomarang, 3.55 Yorkist, 4.25 Big Chip And Pin, 5.00 Malangen.

NOTTINGHAM: 4.30 Gamesome, 5.05 Champagne Supanova, 5.35 Cobweb Catcher, 6.05 Kharbetation, 6.35 Alhaazm, 7.05 Ignatius, 7.35 Blyton Lass.

DOUBLE: Austrian School and Agrotera.


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