Horse Racing Betting Tips: Nickis looks an Angel of a bet in York opener

THEY say that you should never listen to trainers or jockeys. Thats probably true, but when a trainer sounds the trumpet about a horse already well and truly on the radar, that has to be a positive rather than a negative.

The filly in question is Richard Faheys once-raced two-year-old NICKIS ANGEL who takes her chance in the Marygate Fillies Stakes (2.20pm) at York this afternoon.

She created a really good impression when overcoming greenness to beat subsequent winner Deep Intrigue on similarly quick ground at Musselburgh a few weeks ago.

That marked her down as a two-year-old to keep on the right side of and her stables current purple patch is another definite plus.

However, it was the bullish comments from her trainer after saddling another winner on the Knavesmire on Wednesday afternoon that really interested me.

He flagged her up as one of the runners he was most excited about saddling this week and you have to sit up and take notice as hes not normally so bullish.

Of course, this looks a red-hot contest with the likes of last weeks Chester winner No Lippy and Charlie Applebys impressive Newmarket winner Strings Of life all making appeal, but at 4/1 with Coral Ill take a chance with Nickis Angel.

The feature race this afternoon is the Yorkshire Cup (3.30pm) which sees the return of John Gosdens Stradivarius.

Last seasons Goodwood Cup winner brings the best form to the table, having also gone on to finish third in both the St Leger and the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day at Ascot.

However, that hasnt been lost on the bookmakers and at around evens Id rather watch him at this stage even though I think he will win.

There are some traditionally tricky looking York handicaps throughout the card and Ill be keeping my powder dry until the last.

Mark Johnstons team are on the verge of hitting top form and he saddles a couple of interesting runners in the finale (5.40pm).

Silvestre De Sousa rides Making Miracles who looks sure to go well, but I like the look of fellow top weight BAGHDAD who looks well-handicapped off a mark of just 80.

He was caught out by a muddling pace at Wolverhampton last month when trying this trip for the first time but looks guaranteed a truly run race this afternoon.

His third place finish last time was actually creditable given the circumstances and he should go very close.

The ITV cameras are also at Newbury this afternoon where they show the really interesting Starlight Brightening Lives Handicap (2.35pm).

Ed Walker is another trainer in great form and he saddles ULTIMATE AVENUE here who returns to the racecourse having had a wind operation and wears a hood for the first time too.

He was a fast-finishing third to Ekhtiyaar over this trip at Newmarket after a break last July and didnt really go on from that.

His shrewd trainer has given him plenty of time to mature and if it was his wind that was holding him back, he may be lurking on a competitive mark.

The likes of Baron Bolt and Poets Vanity are respected, but Ultimate Avenue has the potential to end up challenging for a race like the Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot.

POINTERS FRIDAY

Nickis Angel 2.20pm York

Baghdad 5.40pm York

Ultimate Avenue 2.35pm Newbury

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