ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Southwell on Friday, February 20
After taking a profit in five races last week, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing pundit Kieran McHugh is hoping to continue his good run of form.
Friday Night Live returns at Southwell on ITV, and amidst the excitement of Constitution Hill’s flat debut, our pundit is hoping to provide some guidance through the card.
Kieran McHugh’s horse racing tips
The Saudi Cup card was a welcome boost after my Valentine's blue,s and with some money left in the bank, attention turns to the ‘Most’-Weather action at Southwell.
Friday Night Live is the host of such action, and after watching its debut show, I was glad to see I was not the only one struggling through a date.
Anyway, Friday, February 20, is ‘National Love Your Pet Day’ and my cats will be hoping for some winning selections today so I can afford their food for this week.
Whether that is provided by the former champion hurdler on his flat debut over a mile and a half...we shall see.
17:30 (Southwell) - Tipping Tom On SBK Bet Feed Handicap
Pleasant Man has been going well over further, so a drop down in distance could well suit him. Connections are in decent form also.
Motazzen has been a tad costly to follow over fences but was a big-priced winner over course and distance last year. He has to carry more, but Cieren Fallon is an interesting booking.
Suggested bets: PLEASANT MAN (WIN), MOTAZZEN (E/W)
18:00 (Southwell) - Friday Night Live With SBK Handicap
Zoulu Warrior was denied the three-timer at Wolverhampton when last seen but arrives here in good form. Billy Loughnane has been recruited, and that is always a plus.
One More Dream is a former course and distance winner and is down to a workable mark. He could bounce back in this event.
Suggested bets: ZOULU WARRIOR (WIN), ONE MORE DREAM (E/W)
18:30 (Southwell) - SBK: Betting Without The Bull Handicap
Aberama Gold’s last success came at Southwell off this mark, and despite being a veteran, he can still perform at this level.
Michael Appleby is always feared in these events, and Intervention arrives here off a near miss at Kempton. Discount him at your peril.
Suggested bets: ABERAMA GOLD (WIN), INTERVENTION (E/W)
19:00 (Southwell) - SBK: Dont Settle For Less Handicap
Karl Burke and Sam James are in tremendous form, and First Ambition could be better than his mark suggests.
George Boughey’s Invited won when he was last seen over a mile, and Pat Cosgrave is an eye-catching booking.
Suggested bets: FIRST AMBITION (WIN), INVITED (E/W)
19:30 (Southwell) - SBK Road To Cheltenham Novice Stakes
Constitution Hill is the headline act, and it would be good to see him win. However, it seems a difficult task on the flat.
Amo Racing’s Square Necker looks the one with the most improvement and is a flat performer.
Star Artist has some form on the flat at Kempton, and that could pay dividends.
Suggested bet: SQUARE NECKER (WIN), STAR ARTIST (E/W)
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20:00 (Southwell) - SBK Betting Podcast Handicap
Existent won his last race, and a slight rise in the weights seems kind, especially when factoring in Jack Dace’s claim.
Zarzyni has run in some better races than this, and the Barron’s charge might well outrun his odds.
Suggested bets: EXISTENT (WIN), ZARZYNI (E/W)
20:30 (Southwell) - SBK: No Casino Just Sports Handicap
It’s Williams and Dace again as they team up with North View. He won over seven furlongs last time, and like before, the rise seems to be quite fair.
Secret Guest improved when racing over this distance, and he could be interesting on his second start over the distance.
Suggested bets: NORTH VIEW (WIN), SECRET GUEST (E/W)
As ever, best of betting luck to you all.
(Selections are correct as time of publishing. Be aware they are subject to change, horses could be removed from race and meetings may be abandoned due to bad weather.)
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