Thursday’s UK racing tips come your way from meetings at Sandown and Doncaster on 27 July 2023.
SANDOWN
Race 1 – LIBRA TIGER 9/4
Just Glamorous returned from a long break to make all at Salisbury and the veteran is only asked to compete off a 3lb higher mark for that display, but he could give way to the younger legs of LIBRA TIGER.
The son of Territories has shaped like his time is near when filling the runner-up spot on each of his last three starts, with the latest of those coming at Newbury when he had Symbol of Hope (third) just over a length behind him, so he may be ready to strike off just 1lb higher.
Race 2 – ARABIAN CROWN 10/11
ARABIAN CROWN is difficult to oppose in the Martin Densham Memorial British EBF Maiden Stakes.
Plenty was expected of the €600,000 purchase on his Sandown debut three weeks ago, with punters ensuring he went off a prohibitively priced 5/4 favourite.
The son of Dubawi ultimately took too long to hit top gear, but was making ground quickly at the death under tender handling and was only beaten three-quarters of a length into third place.
He should be more switched on at the second attempt and just a fraction of progress will make him hard to beat.
Race 3 – SOPRANO 5/6
SOPRANO is expected to stamp her class on the European Bloodstock News EBF Star Stakes.
George Boughey’s filly made a huge impression on her racecourse debut at Newmarket’s Guineas Festival and as a result headed for Royal Ascot as a major contender.
She had to make do with minor honours in the Albany Stakes, but there was plenty of encouragement to be taken from her third-placed finish from an unfavourable draw.
The form could hardly be working out better, with the runner-up Matrika since winning a Group Two in Ireland and the fourth home Persian Dreamer landing the Duchess of Cambridge at the July meeting.
Soprano herself was in line for the latter contest before a medication mix-up led to her withdrawal and her connections can be compensated with a Listed success in Esher.
Race 4 – NOTHING TO SEA 6/4
NOTHING TO SEA is tipped to give weight and a beating to his rivals in the George Lindon-Travers Memorial Handicap.
The Ralph Beckett-trained gelding opened his account at the third time of asking at Newbury in May following a couple of sound efforts in defeat.
He takes a big hike in distance on his return from a break, but his stout pedigree suggests the longer trip will be more of a help than a hindrance and an opening mark of 91 could prove lenient.
DONCASTER
Race 1 – BEAUTY CHOICE 9/2
BEAUTY CHOICE has improved with each start since joining new connections and recent efforts suggest that he is capable of regaining the winning thread today.
The six-year-old has dropped back to his last winning mark and could have too much for recent course winner Be Proud and Impeller, who scored comfortably at Carlisle recently.
Others to note include Emperor Caradoc, Madame Fenella and Peachey Carnehan.
Race 2 – HARRY’S HALO 85/40
A progressive sort towards the end of last season, HARRY’S HALO looked to be finding his way back to that form when runner-up at Chester last time out and he is taken to go one better now.
Braveheart Boy (third), who finished a head behind him on that occasion, can give him the most to think about, along with the relatively consistent Raven’s Applause.
Race 4 – SHAGPYLE 7/2
Doncaster punters should side with SHAGPYLE in the Godolphin Development Series Fillies’ Novice Stakes.
The three-year-old has plenty to live up to as a Frankel half-sister to top-class stablemate Pyledriver, but could hardly have made a better start to her career at Ascot in May.
She was second best at Haydock next time behind Truthful, who admittedly did not do much for the form in a Listed race at Newmarket last week, but Shagpyle nevertheless remains an promising project and a return to softer ground should suit.
Race 6 – LE REVEUR 13/2
Recent course and distance victor Lockdown Lass is likely to have her supports after she completed a double by a neck over this C&D on Saturday and her 5lb penalty is partly negated by the booking for 3lb claimer Laura Pearson.
However, this does represent a quick turnaround for her and the vote goes to LE REVEUR, who has put in solid displays in class 5 events at Newmarket the last twice and he could take advantage of the drop in class, despite a 2lb rise for his last run.
Hostelry and Rory are others to consider.
