UK racing tips – Friday 14 July

CHEPSTOW

Race 1 – KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS 1/5

KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS has stepped forward with each start to date and arrives having backed up his breakthrough Redcar victory under a penalty at Lingfield.
Connections have found him an excellent opportunity to land the hat-trick on his handicap bow, especially with both rivals having something to prove.

Storymaker appeared to have a valid excuse for her Wolverhampton defeat, returning with a wound on her right fore, and she may be the main danger. Dagmar Run completes the trio if turned out again following his run at Doncaster on Thursday.

Race 3 – LUCIDITY 15/4

Deacs Delight has stepped forward on his last couple of starts, winning at Lingfield before going down by three-quarters of a length just four days later at Bath, but those efforts came in classified events and he is now back in handicap company.

With that in mind, the vote goes to LUCIDITY, who has improved since going handicapping and the drop from 1m2f is unlikely to be an inconvenience.
C&D winner Kenstone and Bantry appeal most of the remainder.

Race 5 – SAVALAS 10/3

SAVALAS was unable to complete a 6f course double when staying on into third last time, but he could be suited by a stiffer test now and may prove worth chancing off the same mark.

Red Alert has been in good form at Brighton of late and is another to consider, while Letter Of The Law won’t be lacking for stamina on this drop in trip and is dangerous to discount, especially if attempting to make all.

Race 6 – TURNER GIRL 85/40

TURNER GIRL appeared to travel more kindly in first-time cheekpieces when worn down late on over 1m6f at Catterick last month, and a first success of the season could be on the cards now returned to 1m4f.

Pfingstberg is a lightly-raced three-year-old who likely has more to offer in handicaps this season and David Simcock’s gelding is one to be wary of after just four starts to date.

Geelong can’t be discounted off his tumbling mark.

CHESTER

Race 1 – LEGAL REFORM 9/2

LEGAL REFORM is in the form of his life at present and this track shouldn’t inconvenience him as he looks to bring up the four-timer.

A 4lb rise for his most recent success may underestimate him and he is preferred to the likes of Leicester runner-up Roach Power, and Devilwala, whose last win came over C&D last September.

Stablemates Pearly Star and Princess Niyla both scored over C&D on their most recent starts and they are hard to separate in this contest.

Race 3 – GRAY’S INN 10/3

The value may lie with GRAY’S INN, who was an eye-catcher on her first run for the Jack Channon stable when not beaten far in third at Haydock last month.

A winner of a seller at Musselburgh prior to that, she should be open to further improvement over this distance.

Lady Wulfrun has improved with each of her three qualifying runs and could be feasibly treated off an opening mark of 71, while Persian Phoenix got off the mark in fine style at Wolverhampton and is drawn to attack once more from stall two.

Race 4 – DEMILION 9/1

Cormier will need a market check on his return from a lengthy absence as his best form would put him right in the picture.

Box To Box will be popular after his win over course and distance four weeks ago, battling on well and has only been nudged up 3lb for that victory.

It may be worth taking a chance on DEMILION, though, as he could get a soft time of things on the front end, with his three-year-old allowances potentially giving him an edge, and Franny Norton rides this track so well.

Race 5 – BEZZAS LAD 13/2

BEZZAS LAD performed with huge credit from a wide draw here last time and, having bagged stall three this time around, he looks sure to run a big race dropping back half a furlong in trip.

Origintrail shaped well on her return to action at York last time and the previous course winner is a player back in trip.

Roman Dragon won well here last time and, with his rider’s claim offsetting most of his rise in the weights, is likely to get involved in what looks a tight contest.

ASCOT

Race 1 – SLY MADAM 13/2

Only narrowly denied in deeper waters at Windsor earlier this month, SLY MADAM looks the one to beat given that she races off the same mark here.

The five-year-old can be forgiven a below-par run in the Kensington Palace at Royal Ascot on her penultimate outing, as she was short of room inside the final furlong.

Sheena West’s mare is taken to get the better of the unexposed Mars Magic, who makes both his handicap and turf debut following a creditable second at Wolverhampton most recently.

Last-time-out winners Island Bandit and Cabinet Of Clowns are just two others with claims.

Race 3 – OLIVER SHOW 7/2

A case can be made for several of these, but preference lies with OLIVER SHOW.

A facile winner on his handicap bow at Kempton last month, this half-brother to the

Listed winner Loch Lein indicated that there could be more in his locker and he can secure a double.

Tyndrum Gold must hold every chance of building on his seasonal debut at Thirsk last month and is feared most, while the class-dropping Metal Merchant also warrants a market check.

Race 4 – ALPINA EXPRESS 9/4

ALPINA EXPRESS arrives here seeking a four-timer and this looks like a nice opportunity to continue that winning sequence.

Charlie Johnston’s filly was a facile winner over an extended 1m3f at Windsor most recently and a 10lb rise in the ratings might not be enough to halt her progression.

Sunset Point appears the biggest danger after a decent second over 1m4f at

Goodwood in May, while Dubai Crystal heads the remainder.

Race 6 – INGRA TOR 5/1

Popmaster was just touched off over 7f at Newbury last month and another bold bid can be expected, although he may be susceptible to some better treated rivals, such as INGRA TOR.

Jack Channon’s charge was a good second last time over 6f at Kempton and he shaped as if a win could be just around the corner, despite being handed a 1lb rise in the ratings.

Temple Bruer completes the shortlist.