Redcar, Monday 20 April 2026 — Good To Firm

Redcar, Monday 20 April 2026 — Good To Firm

A seven-race card at Redcar on what looks a decent surface for horses that want the ground quicker. Three races to focus on today, with a couple of serious value angles buried in the form. Good To Firm at Redcar in April suits confirmed front-runners and horses with turf class, so horses making seasonal returns on slower ground earlier in the spring could bounce back here.

2:12 — Flat Is Back On Racing TV EBF Fillies' Restricted Novice Stakes (5f, 2yo, Good To Firm)

Vollering (2/1, Bet365) is the obvious market leader and Archie Watson's yard has been in solid nick, striking at 3/16 over the past fortnight. Hollie Doyle takes the ride, which is rarely a bad sign on a Watson juvenile, and this filly clearly holds decent expectations or she would not attract that pairing at a modest early-season novice. At 2/1 she is fair enough but not generous.

The more interesting angle comes from Wopbopaloomop Each-Way (7/2, Bet365/William Hill/Coral), trained by Richard Spencer. The pedigree shouts sprint: closely related to a 6f Listed winner and dam related to two talented sprinters. Saffie Osborne takes the ride. Spencer sends relatively few runners to Redcar and tends to do his homework when he does. At 7/2 in a nine-runner 2yo sprint on Good To Firm ground, the each-way case is solid.

Keep half an eye on Angel Footsteps Each-Way (9/1, Bet365/William Hill) for Marco Botti, who has a strong 19 percent strike rate with juveniles at this course. The Harry Angel pedigree suits five furlongs on fast ground and the stable is in form at 3/11 over the last 14 days. Could sneak into the places at a price.

3:42 — racingtv.com Handicap (1m, Good To Firm, 9 runners)

This is the race of the day at Redcar and it takes some unpicking. The standout selection is Cadarn Each-Way (9/1, Bet365/William Hill/Coral) for Kevin Ryan. The key facts stack up neatly: he won this exact race over this course and distance in 2024, returned to win again at this C&D on Good To Firm ground in the same season, and his only run this spring came at Doncaster on ground significantly slower than he likes. Kevin Ryan openly sends horses to Doncaster for fitness and that looked a prep run. Back at Redcar on the Going he thrives on, off the same sort of mark, with Shane Gray in the saddle, Cadarn represents genuine each-way value at 9/1 in a nine-runner handicap.

Double Parked (4/1, Bet365) is the form pick and has to be respected. Two wins over this C&D last season on Good To Firm and good to soft ground, plus a close third of 13 here in October. Tim Easterby's overall stats are modest at 2/68 over 14 days, suggesting the yard is not firing at peak levels right now, and at 4/1 on a reappearance you are effectively backing him to be fully fit first time out. Still dangerous and likely to run well, but the value is elsewhere.

Jolly Roger (7/2, William Hill/Midnite) has run well in UAE this winter and returns for Simon and Ed Crisford, who are ticking along at 3/15. He is lightly raced, ran a big race in a 1m handicap on good ground in February, and the step back to British turf looks straightforward. Will go close but at 7/2 is probably too short to beat on a seasonal debut.

Skipper is the danger to the field at 15/8 with Bet365, but his stable has sent just one winner from six in the past fortnight and James Doyle will need to get this horse clicking on his first run for Hamad Al Jehani after two flat efforts in France last summer. Monitor the market moves, but the price is too short for what is essentially a question mark.

4:20 — Watch Live On Racing TV Novice Stakes (1m2f, Good To Firm, 4 runners)

Mr Colonel (5/6, Bet365 / 8/11 William Hill) carries the classiest form in this small field and is impossible to oppose on it. He ran fifth in a Group 3 at Newmarket over this exact trip on Good To Firm last October, which is miles better than anything else here is entitled to do. The Fahey yard is at 2/30 over 14 days which is hardly inspiring, but a horse of this RPR (107) in a four-runner novice is just a market exercise. Lay him at your peril.

According To Mark (4/1, Bet365/William Hill) for Edward Bethell is the main interest at a price. Bethell has been in sharp form at 7/23 over the last fortnight, one of the better trainer stats on the card today. This colt stayed on well after a tardy start at Newcastle on debut and the step up to 1m2f on turf looks ideal. He is worth a small play each-way if Mr Colonel has any issues on the day.

Bay Of Myths (2/1, William Hill/Midnite) won on debut at Chelmsford last month but carries a 7lb penalty and faces a horse rated 20lbs higher. Hard to make a case at the price.

Today's NAP