Horse Racing Tips: Paul Jacobs’ ITV Racing Sunday value plays

PJ returns with some more smart selections this weekend.

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*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

1.30 Aintree – Tiger Jet

With three course and distance winners in the line-up and a whole host of rivals vastly more experienced than the selection this will be a real test for the progressive TIGER JET, but I suspect that he will give us a huge run for our money in this opening three mile handicap hurdle.

This lightly raced six-year-old had been pottering around between two and two and a half miles over hurdles thus far in his career, but has looked an improved performer in the flat this turf season running some good races in some of the top staying handicaps including in the Northumberland Vase Consolation and two fair staying events at York.

Given a short break, he returned to timber earlier this month and seemed to relish the deep test of stamina over three miles when he sauntered to victory at Hexham a fortnight ago. The further he went, the better this chestnut gelding looked that afternoon and even a 10lbs hike in the weights may not be enough to stop him seeing off his 15 rivals.

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2.40 Aintree – Soldier Of Destiny

Hitman is of obvious interest this season as Paul Nicholls has always maintained that he would only begin to fulfil his potential as he strengthens up in his third season here. That may well be true, but I think will only see the very best of this six-year-old once he is given a proper test of stamina and he will have to be at the top of his game and more to give weight away to some progressive and unexposed fellow chasers in this year’s renewal of the Old Roan Chase.

SOLDIER OF DESTINY, an athletic son of Presenting, has also long been held in high regard by trainer Jamie Snowden and the trail blazing light weight looks the pick of the eight runners in this Grade Two Handicap Chase. Even before wind surgery at the beginning of 2022, the six-year-old looked a real prospect and then after the procedure he took his form to new heights with impressive wins at Ffos Las and Haydock Park. At the Merseyside track the selection jumped very efficiently and soon had his rivals in trouble coming to the end of the back stretch. Idling in front, he was merely pushed out to win by three lengths and that win can be upgraded as he was free enough at the head of affairs and was a bit sticky at the final obstacle.

Of course off an 8lbs higher mark and in a much better and deeper contest he will need a career best to land this famous contest, but in receipt of a huge 20lbs from the classy Hitman and with a good record fresh I think he looks well worth a substantial each-way investment at around 8/1.

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3.15 Aintree – Bridge North

Several of these had prolific winning campaigns last year including the likes of West To The Bridge, Petit Donnerre and A Different Kind. Further improvement cannot be ruled out for the trio especially the last named who was asked a very stiff task here when taking on Jonbon and company in the Grade One Betway Top Novice Hurdle back in April on his final start.

He would be a big player here if taking yet another step forward, but the value almost certainly lies with Henry Daly’s charge BRIDGE NORTH who looked as though another summer on his back would do him the world of good. Winner of two of his four starts last year at Ludlow and Bangor, he too ran at the Grand National Festival in spring but in the three mile Sefton Novices Hurdle when running well for a long way behind the classy Gelino Bello.

A handicap mark of 127 looks very fair on the best of his performances and this intermediate trip looks made to measure with a nice racing weight to boot.

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3.35 Limerick – Max Flamingo

Gordon Elliott has a third of the field in this year’s Munster National and the best of his team could well be Defi Bleu who has a fair record at the track and will be suited by the drying ground. However, most of his runners are relative outsiders and I fancy a huge run from the seven-year-old.

MAX FLAMINGO is two from 11 in this sphere, but that doesn’t tell the whole story as he was given some tough assignments during the season. His best run arguably came in defeat when he kept on really strongly to finish a close up seventh in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. An extended two miles and three furlongs was just a sharpener for him at Tipperary behind Authorized Art three weeks ago, but that was a good stepping stone to this staying event.

He is now fully 5lbs lower for that National run and I suspect that Limerick could well be his cup of tea and he gets the nod ahead of the likes of Donkey Years and the hat-trick seeking Walking On Glass.

Paul Jacobs’ ITV Racing tips

1.30 Aintree – Tiger Jet
2.40 Aintree – Soldier Of Destiny
3.15 Aintree – Bridge North
3.35 Limerick – Max Flamingo

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

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