Joe's Saturday Tips- 19 April 2025

Joe's Saturday Tips

A super Saturday awaits with two category one finals over two different distances and the semi finals of the category one Coral Brighton Belle at Hove

Perry Barr hosts its last ever category one event when the Arena Racing Company Laurels over 480m takes place at 9.20pm and the Bet365 Hunt Cup over 650m at Oxford takes centre stage at 8.26pm.

We’ll start at Perry Barr where Aayamza Sydney took two spots off Coolavanny Shado’s track record clocking 27.75 in last week’s semi final as his love affair with the track continues to blossom making it four victories in five starts with his sole defeat coming in the Birmingham Cup Final back in September last year. He lines up in trap three however he has to contend with plenty of early speed on his outside including Favourite Druids Say Go who goes from trap four, Armagh Daithi in five and Churchfield Syd in trap six. 

He can clear Wrigthy and Coppice Trophy on his inside but I am with Druids Say Go who should lead the inside trio and if turning with Churchfield Syd, I think she will have enough in the locker to hold his challenge off aswell as Aayamza Sydney and Armagh Daithi. 

There are notable runners on the card including Ballymac Taylor and Breton Molly in a 710m race at 9.02pm. Sprinter of the year Magical Bluebear against the talented yet frustrating Ballinakill Liam in a 275m contest at 8.28pm as well as Bombay Nutty and last years Grand Prix winner Farneys Willie going paw to paw in a 660m race at 8.11pm.

At Oxford the Hunt Cup final has thrown up an unexpected but welcomed line up including the progressive Hogans Hawk in trap one who has taken to six bends extremely well at the Cowley venue. She has got a good draw to work from on the inside and I expect her to be in front going over the winning line first time around. From there that should be enough for Hogans Hawk to take this competitive affair, however if early pacers Beloved Brenda, Ballymac Madgie and Burrows Eclipse can get to Hogans Hawk and slow the race up, it only suits one runner and that is the local Alright Patricia who is in the form of her life.

 She needs the gaps to appear but steering a clear passage is key to her race needing to avoid Millridge Tanic on her outside but I am with Hogans Hawk to continue improving over six bends and land the spoils.

There are four other open races on the card over four, six and eight bends. The Betgoodwin Oxford Standard at 6.39pm can go to Long Fellow. Lamorna Lexi can take the Betgoodwin Oxford Stayers at 7.14pm. Droopys Doris can make it an Oxford six timer in the Betgoodwin Oxford Ladies at 7.31pm and Alright Gordy can run his rivals into submission in the Betgoodwin Oxford Marathon over 847m at 8.09pm. 

At Hove Fabulous Sonique can go one better then last week’s short head defeat in the heats by leading and making all in semi final one of the Coral Brighton Belle at 7.49pm. Queen Shakira can cut loose to take heat two at 8.07pm and Baywatch Bullet can put in another strong running display to win heat three at 8.24pm.