Leicester afternoon racing tips: Best bets for Friday, March 8

We start off with some details on our selected horses at Leicester. Don't forget to check out the full racecard, results and live odds in Planet Sport's racing live centre.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's first publication)

 

14:20 (Leicester) Marble Sands

Marble Sands can make it back-to-back National Hunt victories in a match race in the Weatherbys Retire A Military Animal #datr Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

Even with Nick Slatter taking off 5lb, Marble Sands is giving a stone away to Lord Of Kerak but he can back up last month’s win at Musselburgh with another win after a first run on the all-weather when he missed the start.

 

14:50 (Leicester) Royal Mer

The booking of title-chasing rider Harry Cobden can help guide Royal Mer to another Leicester success in the William Hercock Limited Royal Lancers Association Handicap Chase.

Although not a frequent visitor, Cobden has a 28 per cent strike-rate at the East Midlands circuit and his mount is fancied to reverse the form with Noche Negra from their meeting at Southwell last month, with the drop back in trip to two miles not a negative.

 

15:20 (Leicester) Bobbi's Beauty

Bobbi's Beauty ran second on heavy going attempting a two mile mares handicap hurdle at Ffos Las before a 3.5L victory among this company over course and distance, so will be a leading contender.

Jack Doyen was not disgraced here when third just missing second spot in the final stride tackling a heavy ground 2m7f handicap chase here ten days ago. Has a big chance set to build on that effort.

Higgs placed third tackling track and trip in this grade three runs ago and holds claims along with Nine Nine Nine who won by 0.5L contesting a 2m7f novices handicap chase at this venue two starts back.

 

16:50 (Leicester) Cap Du Mathan

Cap Du Mathan can make a winning start to his hunter chase career for champion trainer Paul Nicholls and his daughter Olive Nicholls in the closing Leicestershire And Derbyshire Yeomanry Open Hunters’ Chase.

Cap Du Mathan has been pulled up in three of his last four starts, but the drop in class and distance can invigorate him and guide him back into the winning enclosure for the first time in more than a year.

 

Leicester selections in full:

LEICESTER: 2.20 Marble Sands, 2.50 Royal Mer, 3.20 Bobbi’s Beauty, 3.50 Percy Veering, 4.20 William Cody, 4.50 Cap Du Mathan