Horse Racing Tip – 4.10 Newmarket 14-05-16

Yet to get his head in front following six attempts the Andrew Balding-trained Dark Shot can finally open his account by taking advantage of what could turn out to be a lenient mark on his first start in handicap company by seeing off his rivals in Newmarket’s Betfair Price Rush Sprint Trophy on Saturday afternoon.

The son of Acclamation has proved a consistent performer, finishing runner-up on three occasions, the only disappointing effort coming on Lingfield’s all-weather surface last November. The gelding’s two most recent performances on turf resulted in a nose second at the hands of Richard Fahey’s Stamp Hill at Chester in September and the same position behind the unexposed Short Work ( beaten a neck ) earlier this month on his seasonal reappearance at Salisbury.

Trying to make all of the running in both of those contests the mount of Nicky Mackay should take plenty of catching at headquarters with a featherweight on his back under conditions which are likely to prove ideal.

The Richard Hannon-trained Nisser is likely to head the betting but the colt has occupied that position in all three of his starts to date, winning just the one at odds of 30-100 at Windsor on his final start as a juvenile, and may not be one to rely on too heavily. With the Godolphin runners in fine form, the other one to consider is Venturous from the Charlie Appleby stable.

Newmarket Tip

1 Point each-way Dark Shot 12-1 William Hill