UK racing tips – Wednesday 17 April 2024

CHELTENHAM

Race 1- PEAKY BOY 33/20

PEAKY BOY was a winner at Prestbury Park on New Year’s Day and can make a winning return to the track in the Citipost Novices’ Hurdle.

He beat Champagne Twist by five lengths on that occasion, with the runner-up having gone on to win the EBF Final at Sandown.

Now the Nicky Henderson team are back in form, Peaky Boy looks a likely type.

Race 3 – SAIL AWAY 9/2

SAIL AWAY can strike an important blow for Dan Skelton in the Matt Hampson Foundation Silver Trophy Handicap Chase.

The trainer is involved in a thrilling battle for the trainers’ title and having lost valuable ground to Willie Mullins at Aintree on Saturday, the near £40,000 first prize on offer for this Grade Two would certainly cut into the deficit.

Last seen coming home fourth in the Grade One Ascot Chase, Sail Away posted a career best with that performance, albeit he came home 10 and a half lengths behind the winner, Pic D’Orhy.

An unchanged mark of 142 makes him an attractive prospect here with better spring ground a plus for him.

Race 5 – SUPREME GIFT 11/2

SUPREME GIFT found success by six lengths attempting a lower level handicap hurdle at Ascot. Leading chance set to follow up whilst in strong form.

Zain Nights scored by a nose at Newbury tackling this trip in a lower graded handicap hurdle three weeks back. First start at this venue and makes for appeal.

Shallow River brings consistent form including a victory on testing ground at Exeter over 2m7f during February. Holds every chance.

Gowel Road was not disgraced contesting the Pertemps Final premier handicap hurdle at the Festival here last month when sixth over course and distance. This is easier and warrants a second look.

Race 6 – SOME SCOPE 3/1

SOME SCOPE brings strong form with a three-mile handicap chase success by seven and a half lengths at Doncaster preceding a smart runner-up effort on testing ground in this grade at the same track six weeks ago.

Are U Wise To That won at this venue two outings back contesting a 3m1f novices limited handicap chase and makes for appeal.

Stumptown stays well having won by five lengths on heavy ground here on New Years’ Day two outings back over 3m1f. Back down in standard and could go close again.

NEWMARKET

Race 2 – NARKEZ 3/1

NARKEZ is a fascinating contender for Andre Fabre in the bet365 Feilden Stakes.

He got within two lengths of leading French 2000 Guineas hope and fellow Nurlan Bizakov-owned colt Ramadan last term, with that one impressing with his Prix de Fontainbleau

Narkez opened the current campaign with a six-and-a-half-length verdict over a mile on heavy ground at Saint-Cloud last month, so this nine-furlong trip should hold few fears for a colt with a solid middle-distance pedigree.

Race 3 – EMBESTO 3/1

EMBESTO is the choice in the bet365 Earl Of Sefton Stakes after making huge strides last term.

Roger Varian’s charge won his first two starts, winning by six lengths in a Yarmouth maiden on his racecourse debut before following up with a cosy novice victory at Doncaster in June.

Upped to Listed company subsequently, he found an on-form Nostrum too good at Newmarket but while that rival disappointed after, Embesto raised his game to a new level when dead-heating in a Salisbury Group Three with Mighty Ulysses.

A further inching up to Group Two level in France only narrowly failed to pay dividends as he was beaten just under three lengths in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein, looking as though a move up from a mile would be to his liking.

Varian lets him loose over an extra furlong here and Embesto can thrive.

Race 4 – DANCE SEQUENCE 63/10

DANCE SEQUENCE can book her Qipco 1000 Guineas ticket with victory in the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes.

The daughter of Dubawi won each of her two juvenile starts, triumphing over seven furlongs on the July course before adding a Group Three victory in the Oh So Sharp Stakes on the Rowley Mile in August.

While she only beat Skellet a neck on that occasion, her performance can be upgraded as she had a lengthy absence between her two starts and looked a bit inexperienced in the middle part of the race before running on the final furlong to great effect.

Trainer Charlie Appleby did not enjoy a stellar campaign by his own high standards in 2023, but he has started this year in fine form and Dance Sequence appears his leading three-year-old filly at this stage.

Race 6 – AURORA’S BEAUTY 9/4

AURORA’S BEAUTY made a pleasing start to career when fourth in a seven furlong Wolverhampton contest. Expected to improve for the experience and longer trip, so a bold bid anticipated.

Bolsena was a useful fifth on reappearance at Newcastle. Brings more experience than other rivals and the booking of Ryan Moore is notable.
Both Poetic Dawn and Miss Justice make their respective debuts maintaining nice profiles.