Belmont Preview & Best Bets – 18/05/2024

Our form expert provides Belmont tips for today’s horse racing at Belmont Racecourse and gives his best bets.    

Belmont Tips 18/05/2024 

BEST BET 🏆   

Race 2 No. 1 CHOLLIMA – ($2.75)

The Darren McAuliffe stable rightfully holds a big opinion of their lightly raced galloper CHOLLIMA. The three-year-old did plenty right in the early running when relaxing near the tail of the field over 1200m at Ascot last start. Clint Johnston-Porter just had to hold and wait for runs to open for them in the straight. His mount showed a strong turn of foot to burst through a gap and dispatch a handy field of experienced older horses. Chollima does have to lump some weight as a filly while she comes back to her own age group on Saturday. The wider gate with the extra journey should enable CJP to get rolling with that weight rather than having to try and sit/sprint on her again.

NEXT BEST 🥈   

Race 5 No. 4 BECALOTTI – ($5.50)

Perennial #WABlackbookers horse BECALOTTI found herself up against it coming into the last at Ascot Racecourse. The mare was racing first-up while showing good form with a trial win under her belt. There had been no horse win from racing on the pace all day which is where Becalotti settled after spearing forward from her outside alley. They went along quickly out in front with Becalotti racing clear shortly after straightening. Becalotti seemingly had the race shot to bits before shortening stride approaching the 50m. She was claimed late by Sonoftheboss while holding Triple Jay to the line which saw us write her name into the book once again.

BEST VALUE 💰   

Race 7 No. 1 DESENNEA – ($21)

Karnup trainer Jordan Rolfe sent DESENNEA to Ascot Racecourse where the gelding resumed over 1400m. Desennea had been unbeaten while fresh going into this run and found his match in a muddling run race. The winner was set alight midrace to finally inject some speed into the race to help suit Desennea who was parked around midfield the fence. Desennea found a run through into the straight to get second in a bunched finish behind Hesket. We black booked Desennea off of that run taking the view that he’ll be better over more ground as he gets into the prep. Just okay over the mile with the blinkers on last start and maybe better suited being kept to this trip .