UK Racing tips – Thursday 20 July 2023

CHEPSTOW

Race 1 – FOUR ADAAY 11/2

FOUR ADAAY was not at her best when last seen, but can make amends in the Vickers Bet Apprentice Handicap at Chepstow.

Rod Millman’s charge is an admirably consistent performer and even though she was not on her A-game at Haydock earlier this month, she was still only beaten two lengths in fourth.

The booking of Billy Loughnane is a definite plus in this five-furlong affair and a third success this season appears well within her compass.

Race 3 – LOUI TREIZE 7/1

LOUI TREIZE recorded a much-improved second on his return to turf earlier this month and the fact he retains the mark from that outing makes him of significant interest.

Although he is rated 2lb above his last winning mark, he is taken to get the better of recent course and distance winner Bama Lama, given she has to shoulder a 5lb penalty.

On Edge beat the selection last time out but now reopposes on worse terms.

Race 4 – DEACS DELIGHT 7/2

DEACS DELIGHT has stepped up his form since running in classified events the last twice, and he was only denied by just under a length last time.
However, he now returns to the handicap ranks which could pave the way for Galileo Glass.
If the four-year-old can settle better than his latest effort when third at Yarmouth, he could be the one to beat. Runner Bean is another to consider.

Race 6 – ORIENTAL ART 10/3

Carp Kid had ORIENTAL ART (third) behind when scoring at Windsor earlier in the month and he has to be respected on that evidence, but the vote goes to the latter as he gets a 3lb pull at the weights.

Also, the son of Archipenko took a nice step forward on softer ground to fill the runner-up spot at Yarmouth last time.

Eton Blue has hit the crossbar on his last two starts and has to be respected.

LEICESTER

Race 1 – TEN CARD BRAG 10/1 

TEN CARD BRAG kept on well to score in novice company at Lingfield, seeing off subsequent winner Bigger Than Giga into third, and an opening mark of 72 looks workable.

A half-brother to the Group 2-placed Thunder Beauty, there is likely more to come from him and he gets the vote ahead of Eminny, who notched a comfortable success over an extended 7f at Beverley earlier this month.

Fellow last-time-out winner Charged Up also warrants a market check.

Race 2 – SPECTACULAR STYLE 1/2

SPECTACULAR STYLE is the pick in the William Hill Lengthen Your Odds EBF Novice Stakes.

From the family of Golan and Tartan Bearer, this Frankel colt has finished second in each of his two starts for Roger Varian and a repeat of that kind of form would likely be good enough.

Varian can also be on the mark at Hamilton as Botanical lines up in the Racing TV HD On Sky 424 Novice Stakes.

He lost out by just a neck on his racecourse bow at Kempton last month, with the winner striking gold again since.

Race 5 – PAK ARMY 17/2

PARK ARMY has been in good form under both codes and is still well treated despite running off 8lb higher than his win at Bath in April, while Bay Of Naples and the lightly-weighted Foursome are others with chances in a competitive event.

Mount Olympus has made pleasing progress since he joined Alan King and reverting to turf could be most beneficial.

EPSOM

Race 1 – DARVEL 7/2

DARVEL was able to exploit his sliding handicap mark when winning at Brighton 16 days ago and he merits respect from 4lb higher.

Rivas Rob Roy is another that warrants serious consideration, having brought up his hat-trick last time out, but preference is for New Heights.

Jonathan Portman’s mare was successful in this contest 12 months ago from a 3lb lower mark, but she remains fairly treated and the application of first-time cheekpieces could bring about a change in fortunes.

Race  – METAHORSE 9/4

METAHORSE still looks favourably treated ahead of the Betfred Nifty Fifty Handicap.

Winner of two of his 12 career starts, the three-year-old has not got his head in front since July last year, when he was trained by Michael Bell for Amo Racing.

Switched to the care of Darryll Holland after four luckless runs at the start of the current campaign, Metahorse made a fine start for his new trainer when coming home third over an extended seven furlongs at Chester at the end of last month.

That run shows he can handle a tricky track and the substitution of cheekpieces for a visor clearly had the desired effect as he was beaten just half a length off a mark of 82. Boosted 2lb by the handicapper for that run, Metahorse should still be able to make his mark.

Race 4 – SHAZAM 25/2

SCRATCHED

SHAZAM can bring up her hat-trick in the Betfred Play Fred’s 5 Million Handicap.

A 20,000 guineas recruit for Kevin Philippart De Foy back in February, it did not look money well spent when the three-year-old trailed home last of seven over a mile at Southwell in April.

However, switched to turf and upped to 10 furlongs, Shazam looked a different proposition as she justified strong market support at Lingfield at the end of May before following up at Leicester just a week later.

The handicapper has had his say since then, with an overall 8lb rise, but Shazam looked to win a shade cosily on both occasions, so surely there is more to come.

Race – SPIRITZI 18/10

SPIRITZI made an impression when stepped up in trip and was runner-up on her handicap debut at Pontefract last time out.

She is taken to go one better on this occasion. Haydock scorer Typical Woman looks to be her main danger, along with Red Royalist, who was determined winner over slightly further at Chester on Saturday.

Naasma and Sword Beach can also have a say in proceedings.