Horse racing betting: Worth following Andrew Balding’s Secret Hint on the Roudee
The dust has settled on the Roudee following Chester’s May meeting and on Saturday horses descend on the unique track for the second time this month.
It’s tough to find winners on such a competitive card, at a course where you need plenty of luck in running, but Berkshire-based Andrew Balding has been a trainer to follow in recent times and his SECRET HINT takes my eye in the Betway Fillies' Handicap (2.15pm).
Only Richard Fahey, Tom Dascombe and Mark Johnston have trained more winners at the track over the last five seasons and I’m backing Balding to bolster his record.
After a string of average performances on the all-weather over the winter, the five-year-old mare ran with plenty of promise to finish second in a competitive handicap at York’s Dante meeting just over a fortnight ago.
She looks a much better prospect back on turf and could be well-handicapped off just 89, bearing in mind she was placed four times as a three-year-old when rated just 1lb lower.
It wouldn’t be Chester without course specialist Franny Norton riding and he gets the leg up on GABRIAL’S KAKA in the Betway Handicap (2.50pm).
I’m confident Franny can get him into a nice spot from stall six and give him every chance.
He was a clear second over course and distance at the May meeting and only carries 2lb more tomorrow.
Plus, with the weather set fair he will get his preferred good ground.
His main danger in the race could come from Predominance, housed in stall one. He ran credibly in an ultra-competitive Victoria Cup at Ascot last time out and will appreciate the drop in class.
Saturday pointers
Secret Hint 2.15 Chester
Gabrial’s Kaka e/w 2.50 Chester