UK racing tips – Tuesday 29 August 2023

NEWBURY

Race 2 – LOADED QUIVER 5/2

LOADED QUIVER got off the mark at the third time of asking at Brighton and should make it a swift double in the Play The BetVictor Predictor Nursery Handicap.

He bumped into a potential Group performer in Per Contra on his debut before just falling short at Yarmouth, when he was a bit keen early and edged slightly across the track in the finish.

His margin of victory at Brighton was only a short head, but there was much to like about his attitude as he battled back on a course that did not particularly appear to suit and ground that may have been a shade quicker than optimal.

Race 3 – DARK DESIRE 7/2

DARK DESIRE can put a thoroughly disappointing effort behind her in the Bet In Play On Racing At BetVictor Handicap.

Karl Burke’s charge had just one start last year, when pulled up at Haydock, and his trainer deserves plenty of credit for producing her to win on her return back at the Merseyside track last month.

Returning from 407 days off the track, Dark Desire recorded a cosy two-and-a-quarter-length triumph and was reasonably well supported to follow up in novice company at Thirsk earlier this month.

However, the Dark Angel filly showed nowhere near her previous form, beaten over 13 lengths in fourth on pretty testing ground.

Back on better ground and on a starting mark of 74, Dark Desire could yet come good again.

Race 4 – SEA EAGLE 13/2

SEA EAGLE can leave a slightly lacklustre return behind him in the Outdoor Digital Productions Handicap.

Winner of one his three juvenile runs last term, William Haggas handed Sea Eagle his first assignment of the year at Goodwood at the start of the month on ground that turned very testing following heavy rain.

Sea Eagle was making his first start since October and that possibly just told as he tried to come from off the pace but could not get in the mix, eventually being beaten eight and a quarter lengths in eighth.

It may prove that trips in excess of a mile are more his forte in due course, but the Time Test gelding can be expected to take a step forward for his first spin out.

Race 6 – KHINJANI 7/2

Haggas won this in 2021 and has an interesting contender here with Unlimited, who was third on his latest start and has been gelded since.

He needs to improve, but a mark of 70 for his handicap debut looks fair. Gold Aura has done little wrong with a second and a third this season and she could also have some say, but KHINJANI is hard to oppose.

A winner last time out at Haydock, she travelled well throughout for a comfortable success and an added 2lb may not be enough to stop her.

RIPON

Race 1 – UNPLUGGED 4/1

UNPLUGGED was thwarted in his hat-trick bid at Haydock earlier in the month, but apprentice Lewis Chalkley now takes off 7lb and can get the in-form seven-year-old back on the winning trail.

Tele Red was also unable to land a three-timer when third at Pontefract last time, but should not be taken lightly now eased in class.

Bringbackmemories may appreciate quicker conditions and also enters the reckoning.

Race 3 – REFLEXION FAITE 3/1

REFLEXION FAITE is taken to bag her first victory in the 21 Engineer Regiment Sapper Nursery Handicap.

Sent off at long odds for her first three runs, she posted a notable effort in chasing home subsequent Listed winner Miaharris on her penultimate start and then ran another fair race in finishing third in a Thirsk novice on her most recent run.

Handicap company could prove more her level, with a starting mark of 69 not too harsh.

Race 4 – IMPELLER 33/10

Not beaten far when runner-up in the Silver Trophy over course and distance recently, IMPELLER sets the standard on that piece of form and can notch up a fifth career success.

A winner at Windsor on his penultimate outing, Abate can give the selection most to think about, along with Origintrail, who should be suited by going back up in trip following a narrow defeat over 5f last time out.

Race 6 – MICHAEL’S PLEDGE 5/2

A maiden after six starts, the step up to two miles can work the oracle for MICHAEL’S PLEDGE as he looks to get off the mark following a career-best effort when runner-up at Redcar last time out.

Similar comments apply to the unexposed Mass Consumption, while Spantik may not have won since September 2021 but is well handicapped on his old form.

The shortlist is completed by Marbuzet and A Day To Dream.

WORCESTER

Race 1 – MISS ANTIPOVA 3/1

Stumps Or Slips is a decent sort, winning very easily here in June before being pulled up at Bangor after making far too many mistakes.

He may struggle to give 24lb to MISS ANTIPOVA, who deserves a first success over fences after five consecutive second places, the latest when only beaten a length and a quarter at Uttoxeter over further.

First-time cheekpieces may work the oracle, while Imac Wood is an interesting alternative assuming he improves for his first start after wind surgery.

Race 3 – WINTERWATCH 91/100

In an interesting contest there are plenty in with chances, though none more so than WINTERWATCH.

Three times a winner on the Flat, he has come home second on his last three starts over hurdles and will be race-fit after running on the level earlier in the month.

Gaius won his maiden here with ease before seemingly coming unstuck on heavy ground at Cartmel, and he could go well along with The Derry Girl and bumper winner Jeudidee.

Race 4 – SEA THE CLOUDS 18/10

SEA THE CLOUDS found only a subsequent winner too strong over course and distance at the start of the month and a similar level of performance may be enough to defy a 3lb rise in the ratings.

Izayte arrives in good heart judged on his last two runner-up efforts over 2m and could emerge as the chief threat if seeing out this trip.

Oslo caught the eye on his return at Bangor recently and also merits consideration.

Race 7 – CLASSIC CONCORDE 7/1

Denied by the narrowest of margins over course and distance last time out, CLASSIC CONCORDE deserves a change in luck and he can get that on this occasion.

The 10-year-old is capable of landing a third career victory, with the in-form Judge Earle and last month’s course and distance winner Woodie Flash looking best placed to chase him home.

Best Mate Dave and Blue Sans cannot be ruled out either.

MUSSELBURGH

Race 1 – FIVER FRIDAY 1/4

A small field may see this race turn tactical, and if it does, FIVER FRIDAY could be the one with the most speed.

She was fifth at Naas last time and has been found an event that may not take much winning here.

Purnika could find more in a first-time visor and would appear to be her biggest danger, leaving Camusdarach to follow them home.

Race 4 – METRIC 9/4

METRIC won a shade cosily when recording a first success at Leicester on Wednesday and the David O’Meara-trained filly looks capable of shrugging off a 6lb penalty.

Asgard’s Captain found the drop to 7f against him when staying on into third at Wolverhampton recently and may emerge as the chief threat now upped to 1m1f for the first time.

Future Times could appreciate the ease in trip and rounds off the shortlist.

Race 5 – RWENEARLYTHEREDAD 28/10

Wreck It Ryley appreciated the return to 7f when getting up to lead in the closing stages at Ayr recently and is sure to prove popular off only 2lb higher.

However, RWENEARLYTHEREDAD, who was just over a length behind on that occasion, may gain his revenge. The Havana Grey gelding is 9lb better off when taking Zak Wheatley’s 5lb claim into account, which could be enough to reverse the from.

Cuban Rock wasn’t at his best last time out and is another to note on the drop in class.

Race 6 – BLUE ANTARES 11/10

BLUE ANTARES repaid his followers with a ready display at Ripon 10 days ago and should take some stopping if running to a similar level.

Charlie Johnston’s colt appeared to appreciate a patient ride on that occasion and a 7lb rise looks more than fair.

Golden Valour has been shaping as if this longer trip could bring about some improvement, with the seven-year-old feared most, ahead of course and distance winner Graces Quest.