UK racing tips – Tuesday 15 August 2023

LINGFIELD

Race 1 – EMBARKED 33/20

EMBARKED got off the mark at Wolverhampton last month on his third start for James Fanshawe after a couple of promising efforts and a 4lb rise for that success may prove to be lenient, with Hollie Doyle taking over in the saddle.

A winner on her last go at this distance and not beaten far over a mile at Kempton since, Purple Poppy looks to be the selection’s main danger, along with Chepstow winner Dulcet Spirit.

Race 2 – HOT FRONT 33/20

This can go the way of HOT FRONT, who has shown more than enough in three career outings to suggest that she can get off the mark on this occasion.

Not beaten far at Windsor last time out, the daughter of Soldier’s Call is preferred to the likes of Alnoory Star, who could be well suited by dropping back in trip and debut winner Princess Chizara.

Race 3 – DESERT VOICE 4/1

The William Haggas stable can do little wrong at present and DESERT VOICE looks just the type to bounce back from a disappointing effort at Newmarket last month.

Returning to better ground is major plus this time around, and the daughter of Invincible Spirit may have too much for the hat-trick-seeking Desert Falcon, as well as the largely unexposed Resolute Man. Nogo’s Dream and Restrict cannot be ruled out either.

Race 4 – ELNAJMM 1/4

Denied by the narrowest of margins over a mile at Newmarket last month, this represents a good opportunity for ELNAJMM to break his maiden tag.

The fact that William Haggas’ inmate has filled the runner-up spot on all three career starts suggests he can be firmly in the picture here and he is taken to get the better of Quietness, who finished a decent second over C&D on her racecourse bow in May. Liseo is another to bear in mind.

Race 5 – CALCUTTA DREAM 5/2

Quoteline Direct has been knocking on the door of late and the fact Aiden Brookes knocks 5lb off his back here makes him of additional interest, but CALCUTTA DREAM gets the vote.

He did well to finish second over this distance at Yarmouth last month and, although he loses Adam Farragher’s 3lb claim, must enter calculations if getting away on level terms here. Billaki Mou completes the shortlist.

Race 6 – ICONIC MOVER 17/10

Runner-up on his last three starts, ICONIC MOVER deserves a change in luck and this looks like an ideal opportunity to finally get off the mark at the 16th time of asking.

The step up in trip is a major plus, and the five-year-old is narrowly preferred to All About Alice, who has been finding her way since joining new connections, and the capable Manyana.

Race 7 – EKLEEL ATHBAH 5/10

This looks a formality for multiple PA Group winner EKLEEL ATHBAH, who will most likely use this a prep for a Group race in September.

Course winner Abiyah Athbah won’t let her have an easy race, though, as she is also proven over this trip on the Polytrack and could exploit any weakness in the favourite, but will need to raise her game to do so.

CHELMSFORD

Race 1 – FAKHAMA 46/100

This represents a considerable drop in grade for FAKHAMA and the daughter of Kingman is fancied to build on a fair fourth in Listed company at York in May.

William Haggas’ filly kept on well to win over 7f on her debut at Newbury and, with improvement forthcoming, she can get the better of Shining Jewel.

Hard Act To Follow is another to consider in the hands of Oisin Murphy.
18:15 (Chelmsford) Thomas Equinas

A comfortable winner over 7f at this track last week, THOMAS EQUINAS is the one to beat stepping up in distance.

He has to shoulder a 5lb penalty for that success, but did score with a bit up his sleeve and looks capable of going in again.

Wallaroo posted a game win at Wolverhampton last month and is feared most off 3lb higher, while Chagall completes the shortlist.

Race 3 – RETURN TO DUBAI 8/1

Only narrowly denied over this distance at Lingfield on his penultimate outing, RETURN TO DUBAI must hold every chance on the back of a fair run for fifth at Newmarket in June.

Gelded since, the son of Ribchester remains unexposed and can take advantage of the switch to an artificial surface.

He gets the vote ahead of the class and distance-dropping Wonder Legend, who finished in mid-division in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot.  Diamond Ranger is another to bear in mind.

Race 4 – MAYFAIR GOLD 7/2

With two wins from three starts over 1m2f, this trip has brought the best out of MAYFAIR GOLD so far and, having responded kindly when tried in a hood over C&D last time out, she has a live chance with the headgear retained.

Bath maiden winner Moonspirit and the lightly-raced Silver Nightfall both have scope to improve now they step up in trip.

Race 5 – GYPSY NATION 8/1

There is a strong chance One For The Ladies can shine now she drops into a classified stakes for her first visit to this circuit.

The five-year-old is already a dual winner on the all-weather and should handle this surface.

However, GYPSY NATION is unexposed as a sprinter and, based on an a solid effort over C&D last week, he could be a bit of value against the mare. Cappananty Con is also considered.

Race 6 – DARLO PRIDE 14/1

Cuban Grey is noted after several consistent efforts, but he is burdened with giving weight away all round and a wide draw does him no favours.
Similar comments apply to recent Wolverhampton winner Speed Dial Baileys, who could have been better positioned than stall eight to cope with a 5lb higher mark.

With all that in mind, a chance is taken on DARLO PRIDE, who is still unexposed and appeals given the form of his latest start has worked out reasonably well.