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Well it seems to be the time of year, dear reader, when everyman and his dog is sharing the ten horses they’re most looking forward to betting this season. And, in honour of this, I thought I’d share mine with you.
However, if you’re expecting the usual ten Classic contenders, you’re in for something of a surprise…
After last season’s money-spinning alternative group of ten, I’ll have another try this season.

As caveated last year, this Horseracing list has the propensity to go one of two ways: I suspect that there will be no middle ground with this. Most of these horses have something to improve upon, and pretty much none of them will make it to the top of their class.
But, from a wagering perspective, does that matter? The reason for picking these ten is that I think they may win once or twice at nice odds.

And you’ll notice a number of my favourite handlers are represented here, as well as a slight concession to myself…
So, with that in mind, here we go:

1. Rough Sketch (Tr: Sir Mark Prescott; 3yo gelding)

A 3yo, with three runs in short trip maidens last season, Rough Sketch has all the natural hallmarks of a Prescott improver.
By Arc winner, Peintre Celebre, out of a Saddlers’ Wells mare, this nag is clearly bred for at least middle distances.
So it will have been no surprise that he was well beaten in three starts from 6-7f.
Likely to start off a rating in the early 50’s, I’ll be surprised if this unit isn’t placed to run up a sequence in middle to long distance handicaps.
Beware though: if he wins first time out, expect him to be short in the betting for a couple of runs thereafter.

2. Astrodome (Tr: Sir Mark Prescott; 3yo gelding)

The same drill again here. It really feels like the Prescott team becomes a Horse Racing Tips with some of these types.
In the case of Astrodome, he makes the cut ahead of stablemates General Ting, Almamia and Lady Calido only because his sire, Domedriver, won me a stack of cash at the Breeders Cup a few years back! (Domedriver won the BC Mile, beating Rock of Gibraltar – desperate terrible ugly ride from Mick Kinane – at odds of 26/1).
I digress. Astrodome went from being beaten 22 lengths over 7f, to being beaten ‘only’ 9 lengths over a mile (8f).
He’s a half brother to Alambic who had a similar profile in 2006. That animal ended up winning six from seven in the space of as many weeks.

3. Hill Queen (Tr: Luca Cumani; 4yo filly)

Luca Cumani is known for taking a similar route to Sir Mark in ‘warming up’ horses for handicaps.
In this case, however, I’m enrolling a slightly more exposed nag into my ten. Hill Queen had three runs in Italy as a 2yo, the last of which was a victory.
Last season, she also had three runs, culminating in a fair bronze medal at Kempton.
She’s unquestionably not a superstar, but if / when she wins, you can expect that it will compensate for the times she doesn’t.

4. Ridge Rose (Tr: Luca Cumani; 4yo filly)

More in the tried and trusted mould of the affable and wily Italian’s stings, Ridge Rose had three anonymous enough runs in maiden company last season, and will very likely be tackling handicaps this term.
A half-sister to none other than 2007 Champion Hurdler Sublimity, she will be running over a mile and a half or further, and I doubt she’ll be long before winning.

5. Rapid City (Tr: Julia Feilden; 5yo gelding)

Ok, so I probably do need to apologise for including this horse in my list, as I own a share of him! However, I think he takes his place on merit.
He had a great first season for us, mopping up three AW races, and finishing 2nd another twice, before injuring himself and still running quite well in the Newbury Spring Mile.
His first runsince was a month ago at Kempton, and the lack of pace there was totally against him.
Julia says she’s got nothing that can live with him on the gallops, and he’s going to be running at Great Leighs in their inaugural fixture this Sunday.
I’ll be there and cheering, and I’m hopeful that our patience last year with the injury will be vindicated over the course of the spring and summer.

6. Naughty Thoughts (Tr: Tom Dascombe; 4yo filly)

I’ve nailed my colours firmly to the Dascombe mast this season in my Horse Racing trainers to follow series, and I have nominated one of his team here.
Forgive me for saying this, but I love the name… However, no nag makes my ten on pseudonym alone. No indeed!
This donkey won a selling race for Andrew Turnell three starts back, and was bought in the ensuing auction by the shrewd Dascombe for about nine grand.
Since then, she won an apprentice handicap (for which I believe horses do not receive a penalty), and then finished 3rd in a soft ground Folkestone handicap.
Realistically rated on 60-odd, she is unlikely to be done with winning just yet, and is one to keep an eye on.

7. Brexca (Tr: Clive Cox; 3yo gelding)

Three runs in 2yo maidens at the end of last season, the final one of which was a runner up spot over a mile at Newbury.
He looks bred to be a miler (by Diktat out of a Distinctly North mare), and may cut some ice in decent handicaps this season.

8. Dunn’o (Tr: Clive Cox; 3yo gelding)

Another from the Cox yard, this one has also had just the three qualifying runs in maidens to date.
He ran with credit on all occasions, the worst of which was a 4 ½ length fourth behind Wednesday’s Newmarket winner, Prohibit.
He could be a nice horse and will probably be targeted at a good handicap at Royal Ascot.
Before then though, despite the option of handicaps, Cox has entered Dunn’o in a maiden at Bath next week.

9. Mullein (Tr: Ralph Beckett; 3yo filly)

Ralph is a great Horseracing trainer, and I’m a big fan of him. It’s a pleasure to include one of his team here, and the filly in question is unexposed and could develop into a smart animal.
Having finished close-ish in a very good Ascot maiden on her debut, she came back for her first run this season in a maiden at Kempton on the all weather.
Despite making her own running, she fizzed four lengths clear by the line, and has obviously got further improvement to come.
I hope Beckett doesn’t go down the conditions / listed race route with her, because although I think she could win such races, we’ll get a better price in competitive handicaps!

10. Rattan (Tr: ‘Sir’ Henry Cecil; 3yo colt)

No list of ten would be complete in my eyes without the living legend that is Henry Cecil.
Regular readers know the affection in which I hold this man. And its not just emotional, but financial too.
After a few seasons wallowing in the doldrums (and who wouldn’t given the awful turn of events that beset dear Henry in that time), he bounced back last season in Classic-winning and profitable fashion.
He’s right at the top of the trainer’s hot list at the moment, and I think Rattan might be a nice one to look out for.
Three juvenile runs all ended in silver medals, and it surely won’t be long before this imperially bred Khalid Abdulla gets a deserved gold. Or two.

So there it is – my ten plodders to bet. Probably no equine superstars in there, but quite possibly some good payoffs to be had for those who keep the faith.

By day I work on a Horse Racing Tips service.

And I also independently review other people’s Horse Racing Tips services. There’s a lot of dirge out there, so to be sure to avoid the dead donkeys, take a look at my Horse Racing System Reviews.