Wednesday Racing Tips – Dan James Racing

Ice Max enters the 14:47 Listed race at Nottingham over one mile on expected soft ground with impressive credentials that position him as a prime candidate for victory. This four-year-old gelding, trained by Karl Burke, boasts form figures of 49-726571, highlighted by a commanding win in a York handicap 19 days ago over the same distance on good ground. That performance saw him pull clear by over two lengths, demonstrating his ability to quicken when needed. Crucially, Ice Max has proven excellence on softer surfaces, including a Group 2 triumph last season, where he relished the cut in the ground to outpace rivals.

Recent trends favour progressive types like him in this contest, as the race often rewards horses stepping up from handicaps with strong finishing speeds. His current rating places him at the head of the field, and with a favourable draw, he can dictate terms from the front. Jockey Clifford Lee’s partnership has yielded consistent results, adding to the optimism. Overall, Ice Max’s blend of class, form, and ground suitability makes him hard to oppose in a field lacking similar depth.

Gata Ban looks set to shine in the 15:37 Mares’ Handicap Chase at Fakenham over 2m5f on good to soft ground, marking her chase debut with a profile that screams potential. This eight-year-old mare, under Neil Mulholland’s care, capped by a gritty handicap hurdle win at Hereford in February over a similar 2m6f trip off a mark of 92. Returning after a 259-day absence, she’s now rated at 97, below her winning perch offering value in a moderate lineup.

Trends in this race type highlight the success of lightly raced chasers transitioning from hurdles, especially those with stamina reserves like Gata Ban, who has shown she stays well and handles testing conditions. Her point-to-point background suggests natural jumping ability, and Mulholland’s stable is in fine fettle with returning horses. The trip suits her grinding style, allowing her to wear down frontrunners late on. With no standout favourite dominating the weights, Gata Ban’s experience and tactical versatility provide a clear edge for a winning bow over fences.

Rock N Roll Pinkie emerges as a compelling longshot option in the 15:47 handicap at Nottingham over 1m6f on soft ground. This four-year-old filly, trained by Ivan Furtado, has form figures of 3-11292, including three C&D wins that showcase her stamina and tactical adaptability on testing turf. Her latest effort saw a strong second over 2m here 14 days ago on good to soft, finishing clear of the rest despite a steady pace, off a mark of 85 only 2lb higher than her last success at York in September.

Trends favour multiple course winners in this grade, where she boasts a 50% strike rate, and Furtado’s yard excels with stayers in autumn. A favourable draw allows her to track leaders before unleashing her grinding finish, making her tough to pass against rivals with less consistent profiles.