UK Racing Tips – Saturday 8 April 2023

HAYDOCK 

Race 1 – Buddble Dubi 10/3 

Bubble Dubi rates the best bet over the sticks at Haydock as he bids to follow up a recent Stratford verdict in the Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurley ay Haydock. The six-year-old was placed in a point-to-point and a bumper and finished best of the rest behind subsequent Grade One winner Tahmuras in a maiden hurdle at Chepstow in the autumn.

He was therefore not winning out of turn when opening his account on his second start in handicap company on the eve of the Cheltenham Festival last month, pulling three lengths clear of his rivals in the style of a horse capable of defying a 5lb rise.

Race 3 – Enqarde 6/1 

Enqarde is well treated on the pick of his form ahead of the Challenger Staying Chase Series Final Handicap Chase. Dr Richard Newland’s nine-year-old won the Tommy Whittle by 10 lengths from a perch of 128 over this course and distance last season and finished second in this race last year off 135. His performances so far this term have been a little underwhelming, but the upside is his rating has fallen to 125 ahead of his Haydock return and Newland’s horses have really hit form of late.

Race 4- ITSO FURY 15/4 

Itso Fury shaped better than the bare result when third at Ascot in February and, with that form working out well, Jonjo O’Neill’s charge makes most appeal. Docpickedme has proven to be a revelation since being switched back to hurdles this season and a 6lb rise for his victory last time at Doncaster should see him remain competitive.

MUSSELBURGH 

Race 1 – Gincident 11/1 

Gincident bids to translate his good all-weather form to the grass in the tote £250K Guaranteed Placepot Royal Mile Handicap. The Cotai Glory colt has not yet troubled the judge in four turf starts, but appears much improved judged on his recent efforts an artificial surface, with his last four starts yielding three victories. He is 2lb higher in the weights than when registering his most recent win at Wolverhampton in late February, but he is on a roll and another bold bid is anticipated.

Race 2 – Autumn Festival 8/1 

The David O’Meara-trained Autumn Festival can pick up where he left off in the Musselburgh Silver Arrow Handicap. The four-year-old completed a five-timer when scoring over this course and distance in October and was value for more than the winning margin of a length. A 3lb hike does not look insurmountable if he returns in the same form.

Race 3- SILKY WILKIE 6/1 

Even though Vintage Clarets disappointed over this trip at Doncaster on his latest outing in October, that was arguably the result of a long season and he can bounce back returning from a break. He is still rated 7lb above his last winning mark, though, so Silky Wilkie is marginally preferred. A drop in trip following a tiring finish at Wolverhampton over 6f last time out looks set to suit the gelded son of Mehmas. Catch Cunningham is another to note.

Race 4 – SPIRIT MIXER 4/1 

Spirit Mixer can make a successful start to his campaign in the lucrative tote Summer World Pool Queen’s Cup. Andrew Balding’s charge enjoyed a profitable season in 2022, winning at Salisbury, Chelmsford and Chester in the month of May. But it is his next effort in defeat that is particularly eyecatching as he filled the runner-up spot behind top-class stayer Trueshan in the Northumberland Plate, going down by only half a length. Spirit Mixer subsequently finished a never-nearer sixth, beaten less than two lengths, in a valuable handicap at Newmarket’s July meeting and has not been seen in competitive action since. The five-year-old’s fitness obviously has to be taken on trust after nine months off the track, but with a total prize fund of £100,000 up for grabs, he is unlikely to have been left short.