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Vicki Gibbins’ Horse Racing Tips Today

3 minute read

With two winners (5/1 and 6/1) tipped on Monday, we return with another three selections from Ripon and Newbury.

Picture: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

We head to Ripon, Yorkshire's 'Garden Track', for the first selection. In the 5f Class 5 21 Engineer Regiment Sapper Nursery Handicap (3:25), Vitarli is one of three previous winners in the field and appears a value bet at current odds of 15/2.

The first raced foal out of a half-sister to Listed placed juvenile Spy Ring, Vitarli recorded a maiden success at Beverley on her second start. Despite a slow start, the filly made up ground quickly to sit prominently and took the lead from a furlong out, holding on gamely to win by a neck. She was disappointing at Goodwood when finishing well-beaten in a five-furlong novice stakes, although the form has worked out well with third-placed Haatem subsequently taking the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at the same track. It will be the daughter of Adaay's first outing since the start of June and improvement is expected.

SELECTION – VITARLI – 15/2

Remaining at Ripon for the 5f Class 4 British EBF 40th Anniversary Novice Stakes (2:50), Saint Matthew is selected to win over current favourite Due For Luck, who will be burdened with a penalty for his Chepstow success.

Trained by Charlie Johnston, the colt was very keen at Pontefract on debut and attempted to make all, before conceding to eventual winner Ajwadi in the final strides. Although the winner was well-beaten at York subsequently, Saint Matthew still finished ahead of Classy Boy and Point Given, who were both well-supported in the market. The son of Caravaggio will have learnt plenty for the experience and is entitled to improve, especially if settling better in the early stages.

SELECTION – SAINT MATTHEW – 11/4

Switching to Newbury, Star Music appeals in the 6f Class 2 Qipco British Champions Series Maiden Fillies' Stakes (2:00), despite facing a competitive field of fifteen other rivals.

The filly is out of a half-sister to multiple Group 3 winner Mashoora and was purchased for 160,000 guineas as a yearling. She made a pleasing start to her career when third at Salisbury over six furlongs, despite finding herself short of room at multiple points within the race. Jockey James Doyle was required to switch left with a furlong to run and the daughter of Zoustar ran on well in the closing stages, finishing three-quarters of a length behind Yeah Nah.

Progression is expected and she will be in the capable hands of Ryan Moore, who is an eye-catching jockey booking for the Richard Hughes-trained filly.

SELECTION – STAR MUSIC – 9/2