Today’s best bets, by Will Hayler

I enjoy reading Kieren Fallon‘s weekly column in the Racing Post Weekender, the latest issue of which was published on Wednesday. Celebrity jockey columnists can be a decidedly mixed bunch (only a few years ago, one tabloid racing hack waited in the Newmarket weighing room for two hours only to be told ‘just make it up’ when he finally got to see the household-name rider concerned) but Fallon’s enthusiasm and knowledge of the sport usually seems to shine through.

He says he thinks Seta (4.05) has “an outstanding chance” and that he’ll be “surprised if she doesn’t win” at Salisbury today and I’m inclined to agree with him, even though she is being tried at further than a mile for the first time. Looking at the dam’s side of her pedigree, there could even be potential for improvement at this distance.

Seta has come unstuck in all three attempts at cracking Group-race company but is three from three in Listed events, and even having to give weight away to some decent rivals she is fancied to deliver the goods again.

Fallon could also strike in the previous contest with Electra Star (3.30), who has struck a decent vein of form in recent weeks and might have won with more in hand than the margin appeared when coming from off the pace to score at Sandown last time. A 6lb rise in the weights for that victory doesn’t seem too harsh.

Opus Maximus (2.10) became a frustrating performer when with Mark Johnston, but he has recaptured some form since moving to Jennie Candlish, winning two from six for the stable and deserving extra credit for his last-time-out Carlisle victory having pulled freely in the early stages.

He has performed capably on soft ground in the past and the extra emphasis it will place upon stamina should play into his favour at Beverley this afternoon.

Tipping competition, day three

Ormrod76 kept up his fine week’s work with Mibleu (15-2), his fourth winner from four tips, though his next two lost. Nobody picked Kristoffersen (33-1) in Newton Abbot’s handicap hurdle.

Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 3.45 Beverley, 4.05 Salisbury, 6.40 Gowran Park.

This week’s prize is a copy of Kiwis, Canaries and Monkeys: 500 Extraordinary Racing Stories, the latest volume from Graham Sharpe, with entertaining tales of racing-related oddities and calamities.

As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today but you will start on -6.

In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.

For terms and conditions click here.

Good luck!

Standings after day two

Ormrod76 +31

factormax +20.88

ToffeeDragon1878 +18

diegoisgod +13.50

chipsolderer +11.88

chiefhk +11.88

SmokingGun1 +9

WalthamstowLad +9

MrWinnersSonInLaw +7.50

wiggy12 +3

donlewis +3

JahLion +3

zizkov123 +3

Brochdoll +3

suckzinclee +3

Shrewdette +3

stefmog +3

Mulldog +2.50

Mai11 +2.50

Ellandback +2.50

Lameduck +2.50

jaygee1 +2.50

sandiuk +1.38

carl31 -1.50

stee33 -1.50

moidadem -1.50

Copshaw -1.50

tanias -1.50

MISTERCHESTER -1.50

tom1977 -3.12

tokikura -3.12

melonk -3.12

Kperson -3.12

ToffeeDan1 -3.12

SepticPeg -3.12

Degs74 -3.12

TL127 -3.12

xwireman -6

millario -6

MauriceNL -6

fatdeano -6

ekbalco -6

shears39 -6

millreef -6

SussexRH -6

sangfroid -6

Sportingchad -6

23skidoo -6

lonewolfmcquaid -6

unfaircomment -6

paragoncup -6

orso -6

kenty58 -6

KarlXTurner -6

Renzofan -6

chris1623 -6

BearRides -6

TurfAccountant -6

spudpt -6

robmct -6

William36 -6

stefanjames1979 -6

MLJ78 -6

zzz62zzz -6

Click here for all the day’s racecards, form, stats and results.

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