UK racing tips – Wednesday 11 October 2023

NOTTINGHAM

Race 2 – SANCTION 18/10

SANCTION can complete her hat-trick in the Trustatrader Fully Vetted Tradespeople Fillies’ Handicap.

The daughter of Camelot hinted at ability on her third of three starts in maiden and novice company for William Haggas and is two from two in handicaps since joining Ed Bethell.

She was going away at the finish here over a mile and a quarter in August and a 6lb rise was nowhere enough to prevent her from following up over a mile and a half in soft ground at Catterick last time.

With a further rise in distance to a mile and three-quarters expected to hold no fears, Sanction can defy another 6lb hike and continue her winning streak.

Race 3 – MIDAIR 17/10

MIDAIR can open his account at the third time of asking in the British EBF Future Stayers Oath Novice Stakes.

Many a smart horse has won at the Midlands venue over the years, not least the 1999 Derby winner after whom this race is named as well as three other recent winners of the premier Classic in Golden Horn (2015), Adayar (2021) and Desert Crown (2022).

It would be optimistic in the extreme to suggest Midair can go on to scale such lofty heights, but he has shown enough in his two starts to date to suggest a race such as this is within his compass.

A son of Frankel out of Group Two-winning mare Modern Look, the Juddmonte-owned juvenile was never really able to get competitive after a slow start on his Newmarket debut, but shaped a good deal better at Goodwood last month.

The youngster sweated up beforehand and was keen during the race, so it is testament to his ability that he managed to get within a length of hot favourite Caviar Heights, who has since been well held in the Royal Lodge but is rated in the mid-90s.

The training partnership of Roger and Harry Charlton has been among the winners over the past couple of weeks and with further improvement anticipated, Midair is expected to add to their tally.

Race 4 – SPANISH POET 5/2

SPANISH POET gets the vote in the British Stallion Studs EBF Nursery Handicap.

Ralph Beckett’s juvenile looked a smart prospect when devouring testing conditions on his way to an introductory win at Sandown, but the Listed Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury proved a bridge too far.

As a son of Lope De Vega, the return to an easier surface ought to see him in a better light and a mark of 84 for his handicap debut looks fair enough.

Race 7 – LHEBAYEB 3/1

LHEBAYEB has done well since being fitted with a tongue-tie.

She may have failed to land a hat-trick at Goodwood last time but still turned in a decent effort finishing third and can return to winning ways racing off an unchanged mark.

Fillyfudge bounced back from a poor effort when second at Leicester last time. Could be thereabouts once more.

Others to note include Swing To The Stars and Kentucky Kingdom.

LUDLOW

Race 1 – CHARLES ST 4/1

CHARLES ST has been racing on the Flat and could produce an improved performance revisiting hurdles.

Sharpened by efforts on the level and rates a leading chance.

Enthused was denied a hat-trick tackling a higher graded handicap hurdle at Market Rasen, and returns to easier competition here and is in with a big shout.

Pillar Of Steel carries top weight after some consistent performances. Third at Southwell two back and holds each way claims.

Race 3 – SURE TOUCH 17/10

SURE TOUCH can make a successful debut over fences.

The seven-year-old won four of his 10 outings over hurdles and very nearly made it five when beaten a head on his most recent appearance at Catterick 11 months ago.

Sure Touch’s fitness has to be taken on trust after a lengthy absence, but trainer Olly Murphy has his string in excellent form at this early stage of the season and a drop back in distance for the JSR Construction Industrial Concrete Flooring Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase looks the right way to go.

Race 5 – POLICE ACADEMY 11/10

Police Academy was denied a hat-trick when runner-up in a novice handicap hurdle at Worcester.

She finds another winnable opportunity here and is a leading chance.

Voice of Calm carries top weight and was racing at a good level over fences. However, has not been seen since finishing well-beaten in a G2 novice handicap chase at Cheltenham during April.

Hedera Park aims for back-to-back wins after a two and a half length success at Worcester, but faces tougher rivals.

Race 7 – MISS APLLEJACK 17/10

MISS APLLEJACK received a break since a narrow victory over course and distance.

Proven form in these conditions is an advantage, so a bold bid is anticipated.

Too Much Hammer was a noted purchase at Goffs and makes racecourse debut, while Dante Inferno is another first race starter and both could be interesting contenders.

Bobby’s Fortune made a solid start to career when third at Bangor-on-Dee. Given a break since and holds each-way claims.

KEMPTON

Race 1 – MEZZO SOPRANO 91/100

The unbeaten MEZZO SOPRANO is rated the best bet on the all-weather at Kempton in the opening Unibet Horserace Betting-Operator Of The Year Handicap.

The daughter of Exceed And Excel has a long way to go to pay back her €360,000 price tag, but has made a perfect start with two comfortable novice wins in the north at Catterick and Thirsk respectively.

Mezzo Soprano moves into the handicap sphere from an opening perch of just 75 and with champion jockey William Buick booked for the ride, she looks to have been found a perfect spot to strike again.

Race 5 – MAFNOOD 3/1

Haydock novice winner MAFNOOD did very little wrong when second on handicap debut over seven furlongs at a soft going Doncaster. 

There could be more to come from this son of Kingman back up in distance on the all weather and can defy top weight.

L’Ennemi did well in three maiden novices to date and must be respected now handicapping for a yard in great form.

Blown Away didn’t receive the cleanest of runs finishing sixth on his initial handicap outing at Newmarket and he might do better back on an artificial surface.

Narrow Sandown debutante winner Royal Supremacy cannot be ignored making handicap debut.

Race 7 – MOUNT OLYMPUS 7/2

MOUNT OLYMPUS  arrives in top form having won three of his past four attempts.

Trained by Alan King and could have plenty more to give scoring at Goodwood recently. Can make a successful transition back to the all weather.

Glorious Lion finished third on handicap debut sporting first-time cheekpieces tackling one on a quarter miles on soft ground at Redcar in April.

The unexposed James Ferguson trained Roaring Lion gelding definitely holds scope for improvement going up to one and a half miles and cannot be ignored from the inside draw.

Barrier and Ithaca’s Arrow should also go on the shortlist.

Race 9 – MAGICINTHEMAKING 7/2 

MAGICINTHEMAKING returned from a break with an excellent second over six furlongs here a week ago.

The step back up to seven furlongs will suit this three-time course and distance winner who looks the most appealing option.

White Mist has been raised 2lbs for going down by a neck attempting six furlongs at Wolverhampton last month however she could remain competitive once more.

No News finished a close fifth in the aforementioned six furlong handicap at this venue and cannot be discounted.