UK racing tips – Wednesday 30 August 2023

CATTERICK

Race 1 – CURIOUS ROVER 72/100

Mia Toretto may prove popular here for the David O’Meara yard, who have been in among the winners recently, but she might not get things all her own way up front in this field and preference is for CURIOUS ROVER.

Only beaten a neck at Ayr earlier this month over a furlong further, he was headed inside the final furlong and could go one better over this shorter trip.

Nasneen is an interesting newcomer worthy of a market watch for any signs of confidence.

Race 3 – ALBEGONE 5/1 

ALBEGONE has a course-and-distance double in his sights at Catterick.

He justified market support when winning by a cosy length and three-quarters last week and it is perhaps telling Tim Easterby prefers to turn out under a 5lb penalty in the Yorkshire Dales Distillery Handicap than wait to be reassessed.

Race – AGNES GREY 

Mezzo Soprano is a sister to the useful Cool Lightning and a race of this nature should be within her compass if judged on pedigree.

The Exceed And Excel filly requires a check in the market, with any support worth noting.

The vote, though, goes to AGNES GREY, who has some fair form to her name and could put her experience to good use to gain a breakthrough success at the sixth time of asking.

Better is expected from Knights Affair, who didn’t appear to appreciate underfoot conditions last time out at Nottingham.

Race 7 – MONOPHONIC 13/2

Doomsday was only denied by a neck in a similar course and distance event on his penultimate outing but he may have to play second fiddle again, this time to MONOPHONIC.

She has the joint-highest official rating in the field along with the aforementioned Liam Bailey-trained gelding and the downgraded Mr Trevor, but Tony Coyle’s three-year-old gets 7lb from those older rivals today and the form of her encouraging fourth-placed effort in a Beverley handicap last month is working out well.

MUSSELBURGH

Race 1 – GONE ROGUE 4/1

GONE ROGUE rallied to claim second having been outpaced passing the two-furlong pole on his debut at Hamilton, but Charlie Johnston’s charge can take a step forward upped in trip and repel the likely challenge of Character Testing, who was narrowly denied at Kempton 16 days ago.

Swift Salian continues to run well in defeat and he should be thereabouts if performing to a similar level.

Race 3 – LOVE DE VEGA 9/4

LOVE DE VEGA ended a year-long wait for a win at Hamilton last time out and should again thrive in the Scottish air.

He tackles the William Hill Epic Value Handicap and given the ease of his last victory, Charlie Johnston’s runner could take some stopping as he lines up off a mark of 80.

Abduction is in with a shout after thumping his rivals, including Judgment Call (second) at Ayr last time, though the latter is 5lb better off.

On A Session, who remains well treated, could be involved at a venue which he has recorded two course and distance successes.

Race 4 – BAEZ 5/2

BAEZ is on a hat-trick mission in the Garden Stirling Burnet Portobello Cup Handicap.

Jim Goldie switches her up to two and a quarter miles for the first time, having struck at the two-mile mark at both Catterick and York.

She was reported to have idled a bit in the finish on the Knavesmire, so her neck verdict could be upgraded slightly and the consistent four-year-old is in red-hot form.

Yorkindness bids for a hat-trick after a double over 2m1f at Pontefract this month, but a 5lb penalty for the latest of those victories leaves her with no margin for error.

Race 6 – TACITUS 13/2

Propagation has made the frame on his last two outings and a sliding handicap mark brings him very much into contention, while Yeeeaah has been running well in defeat but remains a maiden after 19 starts.

TACITUS‘ 1m clear-cut victory at Redcar in June is the most eye-catching piece of recent form and he wasn’t beaten far off his revised mark over 1m1f here last time, so he looks set to go close now back down in trip.

Revoquable and Chinese Spirit are others to consider.