UK racing tips – Thursday 16 May 2024

YORK

Race 1 – KORKER 8/1

KORKER disappointed finishing seventh among Listed company at Deauville on reappearance.

The Karl Burke-trained five-year-old is set to bounce back as he enjoys this venue, with a win and two places in his last five trips here, and may get this run to suit with plenty of pace drawn down low.

Clarendon House showed up well when a close fourth over five furlongs at Goodwood last time and shouldn’t be ruled out along with Arecibo, who missed by a nose attempting a Class Two handicap at Musselburgh before finishing a good fourth at Thirsk.

Spartan Arrow scored at Goodwood when last seen in June and could feature along with Equilateral, who is classy and brings winning course and distance form.

Race 2 – DUTCH DECOY 8/1

DUTCH DECOY is the pick in the Oakmere Homes Hambleton Handicap after notching two-second places already this term, while Al Mootamarid can reverse recent form with Per Contra in the Collective Green Energy Handicap.

Beaten a length and a quarter when getting 2lb at Wolverhampton, the regally-bred Al Mootamarid has an extra 4lb pull this time.

Race 3 – FREE WIND 17/10

Now a six-year-old, this daughter of Galileo has four Group-race wins in the bank and a fine record of running well first time up, winning on her seasonal bow in each of the last three years.

While she has won at up to a mile and six furlongs, FREE WIND had enough speed to triumph over this 10 furlongs 12 months ago, although her campaign was a bit up and down after that, with her best performance coming when only just beaten in the Yorkshire Oaks.

With a clutch of younger rivals taking her on, Free Wind would be vulnerable to an up-and-coming filly, but her form so far just gives her the edge.

Race 4- ANCIENT WISDOM 5/4

Charlie Appleby had a disappointing 2023 by his own high standards but with one Classic already in the bag this term, ANCIENT WISDOM can enhance his trainer’s Derby hand with victory in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes.

Fresh from Notable Speech’s 2000 Guineas win at the start of the month, Appleby takes the wraps off another Epsom contender on the Knavesmire, with his Moulton Paddocks yard already boasting one of the ante-post favourites in Arabian Crown.

Ancient Wisdom is also prominent in the betting after a fine juvenile campaign that saw him win four of his five starts, with his only defeat coming when third to the top-class Rosallion, where the reopposing Al Musmak was second.

That proved a minor blip for the son of Dubawi who roared back to form after a break, running out a cosy winner of the Autumn Stakes, with impressive Lingfield Derby Trial scorer Ambiente Friendly back in third, before ploughing through the Doncaster mud to win the Futurity Trophy.

Ancient Wisdom moves up to 10 furlongs here, but the distance should be no problem judged on both pedigree and performances, while rain will only help his cause.

Race 5 – BIG EVS 72/100

BIG EVS makes his return in the British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes and it would be a huge surprise if last year’s Breeders’ Cup hero was beaten.

Admittedly his only disappointing effort of the last campaign came over this five furlongs, but he just came unstuck against seasoned sprint stars in the Nunthorpe that day and is much better judged on his juvenile-only exploits.

Mick Appleby’s charge showed all ground comes alike to him last year, so the slightly unsettled forecast is not too much of a worry while even under his 5lb penalty, Big Evs is still best at the weights.

SALISBURY

Race 2 – PAWAPURI 28/10

After winning a Listed novices mares hurdle on heavy ground at Haydock in December, PAWAPURI could prove well treated revisiting the flat for trainer Nicky Henderson.

This dual winner on the level for William Haggas earlier in her career will have conditions to suit here.

Narrow Goodwood winner Rathgar stays well and may get involved up another 2lb.

Circuit Breaker produced a promising reappearance third off this mark at Kempton in April and cannot be ignored.

Torcello and Duke Of Verona both warrant each-way consideration.