Horse Racing Betting Tips - Sunday 9th August 2026 - Leicester
3:34pm 1m4f TLC Teddies For Loving Care Handicap (Class5) (3yo+ 0-70)
Al Maslool arrives here on the back of a breakthrough success at Chester and looks capable of following up now that he’s finally up and running. He’d been knocking on the door for a while, shaping well in several handicaps without quite getting home, but the step up to 1m4f last time proved exactly what he needed. Despite meeting trouble, forced to switch, then hanging left under pressure, he showed real determination to get up late and beat Risk Averse Rebel by a nose. That was his first try over 12f, and the way he travelled through the race suggested the trip suits him perfectly.
He’s only 2lb higher today, remains lightly raced for a horse with his profile, and comes from a yard that often improves them once they find their distance. His versatility is another plus, he’s effective from 8f to 12f, handles a sound surface, and has solid AW form in the book. This is competitive, with Barak Warrior looking progressive after his Bath win and Robusto returning to form when narrowly denied at Chester. Both have claims if building on their latest efforts. But Al Maslool’s Chester win felt like a turning point. He travelled strongly, overcame adversity, and found plenty when asked, all signs of a horse ready to progress again now that he’s discovered his ideal trip. With the Haggas team in form and further improvement likely, he enters calculations as a major player.
Selection: Al Maslool 2/1 with BetMGM
4:09pm 1m Dave Myers Memorial - I'm Having A Dave Day Fillies' Handicap (Class5) (3yo+ 0-75)
Venetian Sky may still be a maiden after five starts, but she’s shown enough in recent runs to suggest she’s ready to take a step forward now switching to handicaps and returning to 1m. She took a clear step in the right direction at Doncaster in June, keeping on well for fourth in a 7f novice and shaping as though a stronger test would suit. That run hinted at latent ability and marked her out as one who would progress once given a more suitable trip. Last time at Chester she never got the chance to show it. Hampered early, shuffled back, and unable to recover on a track where momentum is everything, she finished fifth behind Dream Vega but the run is easy to forgive. She travelled okay in snatches and wasn’t knocked about once her chance had gone. The bare result undersells her.
Today’s move back up to 1m looks a positive. She’s shaped as though 7f is just on the sharp side, and her pedigree backs up the idea that she’ll improve for a stiffer test. She acts on a sound surface, has shown glimpses of promise, and now gets the chance to show it off a workable opening mark of 74. There are dangers, Barak Warrior and Robusto have recent form that reads well, but Venetian Sky has the profile of a filly who can resume her progress now that conditions look more suitable. She’s firmly in calculations on handicap debut.
Selection: Venetian Sky 2/1 with BetMGM
4:44pm 6f ADS Handicap (Class4)(3yo 0-85)
Art Lover returned from a gelding operation in July and immediately produced a career‑best effort at Chester, shaping like a sprinter ready to take another step forward. He’d shown ability as a juvenile, winning his maiden at Ffos Las last summer, but his reappearance over 6f on good ground was the first time he really put it all together in handicap company. Travelling strongly, moving into contention smoothly, and then keeping on well to finish a length behind Grasmere Boy, he pulled clear of the rest and looked a much sharper, more professional horse. That run came off a 2lb lower mark, and he’s still fairly treated today. He’s effective at 6f, handles good to soft, a sound surface, and the AW, and the William Haggas yard is in excellent form, always a positive when dealing with lightly raced 3‑yos who are still improving. His profile suggests he’s ready to get his head in front again now that he’s settled physically and mentally post geld.
This is a competitive 3yo handicap, with dangers in Sea Cookie, who can be forgiven his latest run in stronger company, and Ray Mon Dough, who wasn’t at his best at Chester but had previously shown solid form. Both are capable of bouncing back dropped in class. But Art Lover’s Chester run stands out. He travelled like the best horse for much of the race, showed improved focus, and finished with purpose. With that encouraging return under his belt and top connections behind him, he looks ready to strike in handicap company. He’s high on the list and very much one to consider.
Selection: Art Lover 2/1 with BetMGM
5:19pm 1m2f Leicestershire And Rutland Freemasons Charity LRFC Handicap (Class6) (4yo+ 0-55)
Ricardo Phillips is a reliable type at this level and Leicester very much brings out the best in him. His sole career win came here last July over 1m4f on good ground, and he’s returned this season in similar form, producing two solid placed efforts that suggest another success is close. His latest run over this C&D was his strongest yet he travelled smoothly, moved into contention, and was only denied by a nose by Clipsham Noble, edged out right on the line. Off the same mark today, and now 2lb better off with that rival, he’s weighted to reverse the form. He’s suited by 10 to 12f, acts well on a sound surface, and his current mark still looks fair given how consistently he’s performing. His form figures of 332 tell the story of a horse knocking loudly on the door, and with Leicester being his preferred stage, everything lines up for another big run.
There are dangers. Pisanello arrives in excellent form after completing a hat trick at Hamilton, though a 6lb rise makes this tougher. Kameel is another who can get involved if building on previous promise. And Clipsham Noble, now a dual course winner, remains a threat despite the swing in the weights. But Ricardo Phillips’ profile is the most compelling. He’s reliable, he’s in form, and he’s back at the track where he produces his best work. With his narrow C&D defeat fresh in the memory and conditions identical, he looks well placed to gain a deserved second Leicester win. He should be right there again.
Selection: Ricardo Phillips 7/4 with BetMGM
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