Tap Tap Shamie at 1/9 Headlines Hexham Card
It would be remiss to start anywhere other than the Hexham 15:20, where **Tap Tap Shamie** goes off a prohibitive 1/9 favourite. On paper, this 2m 48y Novices’ Hurdle is little more than a formality for Olly Murphy’s charge, who brings a blend of compelling form and strong stats to the table. The six-year-old ran out an emphatic seven-length winner the last time out at Southwell over a similar trip, showing a potent turn of foot to pull clear from his rivals. With the ground expected to ride Good-good to soft in places—conditions under which he’s unbeaten—the AI confidence of 95% feels entirely justified. Add in the booking of Sean Bowen, one of the most consistent jockeys in hurdles this season, and Tap Tap Shamie feels near-unbeatable.
However, a word of caution for accumulators: the odds are slim, so you’ll only make minor gains unless you combine him with more adventurous selections. Use our betting calculator to see how Tap Tap Shamie fits into your multiple wagers.
North Shore a Solid Banker at Killarney (13:22)
Across the Irish Sea at Killarney, **North Shore** looks poised to deliver for trainer Gavin Cromwell in the 2m 1f Maiden Hurdle at 4/7. This gelding has been knocking on the door, and his latest second at Punchestown on yielding ground was the performance of a horse on the cusp of victory. Keith Donoghue takes the ride today, and the step up in distance combined with the projected Good-good to yielding in places going should suit. Crucially, the field size of 16 doesn’t present much in the way of serious competition outside of one or two lightly raced types. With a 92% AI confidence score and Expected Value (EV) of +18%, North Shore is another strong addition to betting slips.
Think North Shore might fly under the radar? Pair him with Tap Tap Shamie for a low-risk double, or explore more combinations in our AI tips for today.
50/1 Longshot Abletai Worth a Second Look at Naas
Turning to big-priced selections, there’s genuine intrigue in the Naas 13:33, where **Abletai** is a head-scratching 50/1 outsider. Despite modest AI confidence (46%), the gelding is ridden by one of Ireland’s most capable flat jockeys in Billy Lee and hails from a yard that excels in causing upsets. The 2m trip is something of an unknown for Abletai, but with fields like this—even more so on Naas going described as Good—chaos often prevails. Will he win? It’s a stretch. But if you’re hunting for an audacious each-way play in a quiet Saturday race, you can do worse than this roughie.
For more high-stakes fancies, check out today’s each-way selections.
Big-Field Handicaps Offer 25/1 and 28/1 Value at Ascot and Nottingham
At Ascot, the 14:20 is the pick of the competitive handicaps with a monster field of 29 going to post over 7f. It’s the kind of race where large prices often deliver, and **Golden Mind** at 25/1 with Warren Fentiman aboard has caught our attention. While not the most obvious contender at first glance, he’s been racing against stronger company than some in this field and now slips into a more winnable mark.
Over at Nottingham (14:08), **Flag Of Eva** is another outsider worth monitoring at 28/1. George Wood takes the ride on an intriguing sort who has placed well in soft-to-good conditions, indicating potential value on today’s going. Don’t expect either to romp home by lengths, but clever each-way plays in large fields like these can yield big dividends. Track their progress via our latest results.
Best Bets Summary for Saturday 9th May
- Nap of the Day: Tap Tap Shamie (Hexham 15:20) at 1/9 — Almost unbeatable on form, ground and distance.
- Next Best: North Shore (Killarney 13:22) at 4/7 — Solid banker material with a repeat of recent efforts.
- Value Pick: Golden Mind (Ascot 14:20) at 25/1 — 7f handicap specialist slipping into contention.
- Each-Way Outsider: Abletai (Naas 13:33) at 50/1 — A speculative punt with more potential than odds suggest.
That’s today wrapped up. Dive into our full racecards, check on late withdrawals, and explore our accumulator tips for creative multiples. For those planning ahead, don’t miss tomorrow’s early selections.
