Get all of our tips for Thursday’s UK racing coming your way from Ayr and Pontefract on 21 September 2023.
AYR
Race 1 – VOLTERRA 91/100
VOLTERRA caught the eye staying on under hands and heels to finish fourth in a traditionally strong maiden at York on debut.
He can get off the mark at the second attempt.
Individualism disappointed at Leicester but would hold strong claims on form of a course and distance debut second in July.
Colorada Dancer cannot be ignored after two solid runner-up efforts at Thirsk and Sandown.
Race 4 – PAINTERS PALETTE 3/1
PAINTERS PALETTE can be the star of the show in the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Kilkerran Handicap.
In form after notching a second win in his last three starts when prevailing on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton two weeks ago.
Switching surface is no issue though, as he showed when winning at Redcar last month and while he has been raised 6lb for his last victory, he looked good value for the official two-and-a-quarter-length margin.
Race 6 – TOBETSO 7/2
Apprentice Zak Wheatley negates a rise in weights that TOBETSO receives for scoring narrowly on his first outing over 1m and can be triumphant again.
Dark Desire shaped as though stepping back up to this trip would suit when a keeping on one-paced fourth attempting 7f at Newbury making handicap debut.
Hale End was denied a nose at Beverley last-time and cannot be left out of calculations despite a further 1lbs rise in weights.
Tommy G won this last year and completes the shortlist.
Race 8 – HIGHFIELD VIKING 33/10
Highfield Viking lacks the star quality of his half-sister Highfield Princess, but should thrive with some cut in the ground in the second division of the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap.
PONTEFRACT
Race 4 – UNEQUAL LOVE 18/10
UNEQUAL LOVE can put a recent defeat behind her as she lines up in the British EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap.
William Haggas’ charge had been on a roll through July and early August, stepping up on a debut fourth in June to win at Leicester, Ripon and Haydock to land on a mark of 90 at York’s Ebor meeting.
Lining up over furlongs, Unequal Love was sent off the 4/1 favourite but failed to fire, coming home a well-beaten 10th behind Nigiri on ground that may have been just a shade too fast for her liking.
The winner has since gone on to place at Group Three level while a handful of those who also finished in front of Unequal Love have also subsequently gone on to win or place, so the form looks pretty strong.
Unequal Love’s unchanged perch of 90 does not look beyond her and the expected easier conditions in West Yorkshire could play to her strengths.
Race 5 – DEREHAM 7/1
DEREHAM can make his second visit of the year to Pontefract pay dividends with victory in the Search For The Yorkshire Wonder Horse Handicap.
Well out of the frame on his initial spin in April, Dereham subsequently recorded one win and two placed efforts, with the move back up in distance here a definite plus.
Race 6 – MARCHING BAND 9/4
MARCHING BAND makes his first turf start in the Nadeen Dawson Memorial Maiden Stakes as one of two contenders for Sir Michael Stoute.
Owned by the King and Queen, Marching Band has had two spins on the all-weather so far, most recently being beaten half a length at Chelmsford at the end of last month and might not need to improve too much to win this.
Paternoster Square and Talis Evolvere are in the mix for the places.
Race 7 – MOTHER MARY 10/1
MOTHER MARY makes for plenty of appeal after three career starts.
Broke through for a success at Salisbury attempting seven furlongs in latest and could be of interest stepping up in journey.
Dubawi Warrior broke through for a five length success over course and distance. Disappointed when beaten by 20 lengtha subsequently but is still a contender.
Mexicali Rose resumed from a three month spell delivering an impressive win at Chepstow. Has shown form tackling further in the past.
Mount King holds each-way claims on the back of a Thirsk win.
