22-05-2025
Horse racing tips: Thursday, May 22
Both of today's selections come from the afternoon Flat meeting at Haydock, with our NAP tackling the opening staying handicap and our second pick looking to land a decent sprint handicap over the minimum trip.
Ron Wood's selections:
Odds provided by William Hill and correct at the time of writing. Stars denote strength of selection (max 5).
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2.17 Haydock – Class 5 Handicap (2m)
THE CRAFTY MOLE (NAP) won five staying handicaps last season and looks ready to go in again now.
The four-year-old seems to keep a bit back for himself at times, which has allowed him to stay ahead of the handicapper. His recent form figures may not be too inspiring, but he had a busy campaign in 2024, and there was nothing wrong with last month's run on his reappearance at Thirsk.
That return outing was over an inadequate trip of 1m 4f and he raced without his usual visor.
He should be fitter now – he won second time out last year – and he goes back up in distance with the headgear refitted. He is also reunited with Daniel Tudhope, who was on board for his last two wins, and drops down from Class 4.
3.47 Haydock – Class 3 Handicap (5f)
DURAN produced an eye-catching performance when finishing second behind Blue Day in an Ascot handicap over 5f last time out, and is taken to reverse the form and prove best overall.
This Nigel Tinkler-trained sprinter kept finding trouble in that race and ended up being switched out widest with his challenge. He did well to get second and, in contrast, Blue Day got a dream run up the rail and has gone up 6lb in the weights.
Duran won three times last year, including two useful handicaps, and he looks capable of kicking on again now. He's a half-brother to a couple of Group-race winners, including Thistle Bird who won at the top level.
Selection: Duran @ 3/1 with William Hill
Ron Wood 2025 horse racing P/L
Star ratings explained
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - confident selection
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - strong fancy
⭐⭐⭐ - fair claims
⭐⭐ - tentative choice
⭐ - minimum confidence
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