UK racing tips – Wednesday 16 August 2023

FFOS LAS

Race 1 – ETON COLLEGE 5/1

ETON COLLEGE had the beating of subsequent Chepstow scorer Obama Army (second) when the pair met at Nottingham two starts ago.
He failed to make an impact when upped to 10 furlongs at Newmarket last time, but Jamie Osborne’s gelding could bounce back to confirm that form back at a mile.

Lunanera showed signs of ability when trained in France and the market can guide on his first start for Archie Watson.

Race 2 – PER CONTRA 1/5

Ollie Sangster was glowing in his post-race assessment of PER CONTRA, who trounced his rivals, including a subsequent winner, despite doing plenty wrong at Chepstow on debut.

He carries a penalty today but he is clearly held in high regard, evidenced by his entry in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

The withdrawal Duely Spiced means the main threat is likely to be Chiefman, who ran green when well backed over 7f at Wolverhampton on debut and will surely have more to offer today. Tomorrow Day can beat Surfer Dude for the bronze medal.

Race 3 – OVERNIGHT OATS 83/100

Just half a length separated OVERNIGHT OATS (winner) and Ben Hamrash (second) when the pair met at Sandown three weeks ago.
The former is 1lb worse off this time, but his pedigree would suggest forecast ground conditions will be no problem and that could make all the difference.

Ithra, who sports first-time cheekpieces, should not be underestimated on her handicap bow.

Race 4 – VIOLETS STAR 28/10

VIOLETS STAR run a debut full of promise at huge odds at Thirsk over 7f and she was highly tried on only her second start in Listed company at Deauville.

She was well beaten that day but drops into a maiden now and can take full advantage.

Many A Year was free to post last time at Salisbury when an encouraging second, so that performance can be upgraded, while Monty Be Quick could put his best foot forward back on turf after disappointing at Kempton.

Race 5 -STARPROOF 15/10

STARPROOF did it very nicely at Lingfield on her penultimate start when going in by over three lengths, but she followed that up with a very disappointing effort next time.

However, she is well worth another chance while that impressive display two starts ago remains fresh in the memory.

Margaret’s Fuchsia shed her maiden tag here last time over an extended 7f and looks an interesting contender back at this distance. Stryder warrants a market check too.

Race 6 – NATACATA 63/100

NATACATA attempted to make all at Lingfield, but she was just denied by a neck.

That was her best performance to date, though, and she is fancied despite getting a 3lb rise for that display.

Duke Of Vienna makes his first start for the Alexandra Dunn stable and, if the market speaks in his favour, he would be of interest. Buxlow Boy can beat Nusra home for third.

YARMOUTH

Race 1 – RED DANIELLE 1/20

RED DANIELLE found only subsequent Listed winner Sweet Memories too good in a smart novice event at Newbury last month.
This drop in class should prove a straightforward opportunity for the Roger Varian-trained filly to shed her maiden tag and she is hard to oppose.

There is little separating Gino’s Girl and Dome Of Stars on their best form, but the latter must prove her well-being after being beaten a long way at Beverley in April.

Race 2 – AVAILABLE ANGEL 15/10

AVAILABLE ANGEL recently ran her best race of the season when runner-up over C&D in handicap company, and ticks plenty of boxes in her bid to win this contest for the second year in a row.

Rayena wasn’t disgraced when a staying-on third in a similar event at Brighton last week and reproduction of that performance would likely see Patrick Owens’ filly involved once more. Intoxicata and Naadyaa are others to note at this level.

Race 3 – SKUKUZA 1/1

There were plenty of positives to be gleaned from SKUKUZA’s debut second at Newbury and this looks a suitable opportunity for the Blue Point colt to record a first career success.

Khisah Bu Thaila offered something to work with on his opening bid at Newmarket and could build on that sixth-placed effort to get involved here.

Arabic Art makes most appeal of the newcomers and any market support would be interesting.

Race 4 – FLOWER OF THUNDER 11/2

Stage Show hasn’t been disgraced when finishing in third on his last two outings but even though this represents a drop in class, first-time cheekpieces could make all the difference for FLOWER OF THUNDER and she gets the vote.

Runner-up over C&D on her most recent run, a 1lb lower mark, combined with the headgear, could help Christine Dunnett’s mare build on that. Perfect Gentleman heads the remainder now reverting to turf.

Race 5 – THISISMYDREAM 5/1

Denied by the narrowest of margins over C&D on his most recent run, THISMYDREAM is fancied to take another step forward here and he looks the one to beat.

Paddy Bradley negates all of the gelding’s 3lb rise for that performance with his claim and the four-year-old can get the better of recent Salisbury winner Alpine Girl, who races off 2lb higher. Tallulah Myla completes the shortlist in a first-time tongue-tie.

Race 6 – EYESHADOW 5/2

This could go the way of the progressive EYESHADOW, who lost second inside the final furlong over a mile at Chepstow on her handicap bow.

A drop in distance, as well as a 1lb lower mark, can bring about further improvement from the Charltons’ three-year-old and she can break through.

Recent Lingfield winner Arbaawi should not be taken lightly now 2lb higher for that success, while Ideal Guest is another to consider.

KEMPTON

Race 1 – GUSHING GOLD 2/1

Having been far from disgraced in the Albany, GUSHING GOLD then went desperately close when beaten a neck into third at Newbury. A step up from 6f ought to be no problem on that evidence and she is taken to strike at the fourth time of asking.

Poutchek shaped with promise when making the frame on her Newmarket debut and is a likely candidate with improvement on the cards. Others to note include Sattwaa and Allonsy.

Race 2 – ELECTRIC STORM 20/1

Both Ivory Madonna and Ludmilla have some decent form in the book and, though both merit respect, they might prove vulnerable to a less-exposed rival. With that in mind, a chance can be taken on ELECTRIC STORM.

The Night Of Thunder filly is berthed well in stall three, and has enough in her pedigree to suggest she can be a force on this racecourse bow.
Similar comments apply to 325,000gns purchase Velvet Crush, though a wide draw is far from ideal.

Newmarket winner Le Mans is also considered, but this looks tougher under a penalty.

Race 3 – TAHITIAN PRINCE 25/2

In an open contest, only a tentative vote can go to TAHITIAN PRINCE. The gelded son of Siyouni was well beaten at Yarmouth last month, but was much more competitive on an artificial surface previously.

Well drawn in stall three, and from 7lb below his last winning mark, it would be no surprise were he to bounce back.

Hover On The Wind remains open to improvement and is an interesting candidate back over further. Ernie’s Valentine and Zu Run are just two others to consider.

Race 4 – KING CABO 6/1

Time’s Eye broke through at Windsor and has to be considered off 3lb higher, but her ability to handle the all-weather must be taken on trust.
With that in mind, C&D winner KING CABO just shades the vote because he was over two lengths clear of the third when touched off at Newmarket recently.

He is also asked to compete off 3lb higher, but he could be up to it. Arctician and Umberto are others to consider in an open contest.

Race 5 – SEA ME DANCE 7/1

Pistoletto capitalised on a falling handicap figure over C&D last month and a rise of just 3lb is likely to keep him bang in contention.
However, the vote goes to SEA ME DANCE, who showed her liking for this track when scoring over 1m4f to shed her maiden tag.

She followed that up with an underwhelming effort at Newmarket, but the return to the all-weather could help her to bounce back.
Luke Morris takes over in the saddle on Hurtle, who likely has more to offer.

21:00 (Kempton) Club Manager

Geelong made the frame over 1m6f at Wolverhampton and his time has looked near for a while now, so he warrants plenty of respect off the same rating.

However, preference is still for CLUB MANAGER, who may have not handled the track at Lingfield but he did well to finish third and could improve on that.

More has been expected of Alex The Great because he has been sent off at short prices the last twice and he could put in a better display.