Friday’s UK racing tips come your way from racing at Sandown and Perth on 26 April 2024.
SANDOWN
Race 1 – SERRIED RANKS 25/2
Serried Ranks won over six furlongs at Goodwood last season before disappointing in the Listed Rockingham Stakes at York.
Dropping back to five furlongs for the first time looks an interesting move and receives a workable mark in the Bet365 Handicap.
Miaharris shaped well when fifth in the G3 Cornwallis Stakes at Newmarket last October. This previous course and distance winner must be respected on handicap debut.
Sports Coach cannot be ignored delivering initial handicap start having landed two all-weather novice events tackling five furlongs in December.
Race 3 – FLYING HONOURS 4/1
FLYING HONOURS can return from nearly a year off the track with a win in the Group Three bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes.
The four-year-old ran just once last term when disappointing in the Dante Stakes, coming home last of 11 after missing the start and on ground that looked too quick for him.
Gelded during his lengthy break, Flying Honours should find the Sandown conditions more to his liking and he can help Buick and Appleby enjoy a successful afternoon.
Race 4 – NOSTRUM 5/2
NOSTRUM can get back on track as he makes his seasonal debut in the bet365 Mile.
Last seen at York in August when finishing sixth of six in the Strensall Stakes, a line can be put through that run as he finished lame.
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old won his first two starts as a juvenile and went on to finish third in the Dewhurst before returning to the winner’s enclosure in the Sir Henry Cecil Stakes on his belated return last July.
He was beaten by Epictetus in the Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood on testing ground before the run at York, but after a 244-day absence, he can return to his best under Ryan Moore at a course that suits front runners.
Race 5 – ARABIAN CROWN 72/100
ARABIAN CROWN can get his preparations for the Betfred Derby off to the best possible start with victory in the bet365 Classic Trial.
The Charlie Appleby-trained three-year-old enjoyed a racecourse gallop at Newmarket last week under William Buick and is favoured to pick up where he left off last season with a hat-trick of wins.
He broke his maiden on soft ground at Sandown in July before landing the Listed Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury on good going the following month.
Last seen winning the Group Three Zetland Stakes cosily by five and a half lengths from Aidan O’Brien’s Gasper De Lemos at Newmarket in October, he can fine tune his Classic credentials in Esher.
PERTH
Race 1 – RASCAL 11/2
RASCAL appears to be on a winnable mark. Useful second at Huntingdon when last seen and travels a fair way for this contest so is expected to have a chance in the Ak Bets Best Price Every Runner Handicap Hurdle.
Mack The Man aims for consecutive wins after a Class 2 Musselburgh success. Drops back in class and could prove ahead of the handicapper.
Old Gregorian has been freshened for three months since a good third at Carlisle and is worth considering.
Race 2 – PRINCE DES FICHAUX 8/1
PRINCE DES FICHAUX relished the marathon test when second at Newcastle over 4m1 1/4f two starts ago.
Only denied by a neck among Class 2 company and probably found the trip too short when fourth at Kelso subsequently.
Duke Of Deception aims for back to back victories after a six length Haydock success. Steps up in trip with solid credentials.
Houston Texas carries most weight. Consistent performer since a win earlier in the campaign so could get in the places.
Breeze Of Wind won three times and placed once from past five outings. In good order and drops back in standard after a fourth at Carlisle.
