The Gazette's horse racing tips for Tuesday

ddZefferino has failed to sparkle so far but tries the Southwell Fibresand for the first time in the sunbets.co.uk Handicap.

The four-year-old hails from the family of Natavia and Spinning Queen, so doubtless connections would have had more lofty initial ambitions for this son of Frankel.

However, after one win in seven starts for Roger Charlton, Zefferino changed hands for just 17,000 guineas at the sales last autumn and has since enjoyed two starts for Marco Botti.

Zefferino was entitled to build on his first outing since a gelding operation and five months on the sidelines, but he fell short of expectations when only fourth on his next attempt at Kempton.

Botti’s charge took a keen hold over a mile that day and hit a flat spot before staying on again, so there were some positives to take from the performance.

Clearly Zefferino needs to improve to get his head in front, but if can settle a bit better here and take to the surface, he must have a shout.

Sir Hector has been suffering a bit of seconditis in recent outings but can get back on the winning trailer in the Betway Cheltenham First & Last Race Losers Moneyback Handicap.

Winner of an average event at Lingfield back in January, he has failed to really kick on from that when having to give best to a couple of decent types.

His most recent behind Rock On Baileys last month was certainly not a bad effort, but he was just caught for toe at the finish and the handicapper has duly left him alone.

He previously turned in a fair, if green, performance at Southwell on New Year’s Day so it could pay to give him another chance.

Lean On Pete is one for whom the Southwell surface holds no fears and he can put up another good show in the Read Richard Johnson On Betway Insider Blog Handicap.

Ollie Pears has kept him to the Nottinghamshire venue this winter, with the nine-year-old notching two seconds and a win in three outings.

SELECTIONS

EXETER: 2.10 Just So Cool, 2.40 Jet Set, 3.10 Get Wishing, 3.40 First Du Charmil, 4.10 Billy Bronco, 4.40 Market Road.

NEWCASTLE: 1.55 Spin The Coin, 2.30 Mahler Lad, 3.00 Le Frank, 3.30 Pretty Reckless, 4.00 Louse Talk, 4.30 Penny Blak.

SOUTHWELL: 2.20 Sir Hector, 2.50 Lean On Pete, 3.20 The Resdev Way, 3.50 Captain Bob, 4.20 ZEFFERINO (NAP), 4.50 Quadriga.