UK Racing Tips – Friday 19 May 2023

Race 1 – PERSIAN DREAMER 6/4

Dominic Ffrench Davis is enjoying a good spell with the Amo Racing juveniles and PERSIAN DREAMER was arguably the most impressive of them all when winning at Newmarket on debut. She is the choice of Kevin Stott in the Clipper EBF Marygate Fillies’ Stakes over stablemate TREASURE STORM.

A three-and-a-quarter-length winner over the reopposing DOROTHY LAWRENCE, owned by the sponsors of this race, it is difficult to see her turning the tables. Admittedly, the Ffrench Davis runners have been well and truly tuned up for their first runs and Dorothy Lawrence may have more scope to improve, but that is a fair amount of ground to make up in just 30 days. Later in the season, it may be a different story.

Race 2 – STORMY SEA 4/1

Sir Michael Stoute’s STORMY SEA can begin to uphold family honour by winning the Oaks Farm Stables Fillies’ Stakes at York.

As a half-sister to Champion Stakes winner Bay Bridge, she has plenty to live up to – but in just two starts to date she has already proven she possesses plenty of ability.

Second on her only run at two when she chased home a 1/5 hotpot, Stormy Sea subsequently had a wind operation. Reappearing at Haydock last month, she absolutely bolted up, looking as though this step up to Listed company would be well within her remit.

Stoute is not known for over-facing his horses early in their careers so he must think she is up to this task and while it may be reading too much into things, it is quite surprising that Aidan O’Brien had plenty of entries in the shoulder races at York over the three days but nothing in this, leaving Ryan Moore free.

Race 3 – ARAMAIC 13/2

William Haggas has made a slower start to the season than is normally the case, but appears to be firing on all cylinders now after winning a couple of Group races last week and can strike with ARAMAIC in the York Knights Solicitors Handicap.

The five-year-old has not run since September 2021, an absence of 608 days, but for his trainer to be persevering, the ability must still be there. Given he is starting back in a race as competitive as this, do not expect him to be lacking for fitness.

Race 4 – QUICKTHORN 5/2

St Leger winner ELDAR ELDAROV returns to action in the Boodles Yorkshire Cup but he will find life tough giving weight all round, while the O’Brien-trained BROOME looked at home upped in trip when winning out in Dubai but not since May 2021 has he won races back-to-back.

Preference, then, is for Hughie Morrison’s QUICKTHORN, who was only sixth in the Meydan race won by Broome, but produced his career-best effort on this track and that can help him turn the tables. He won the Lonsdale Cup by an incredible 14 lengths in August, beating Coltrane, who is now one of the best stayers around. Good ground is key to him, so runs in France and on British Champions Day can probably be written off and he may again prove hard to peg back.

Race 5 – KATHAB 9/4

MASTABSHIR arguably sets the standard based on his impressive Kempton win last year and his fifth in the Craven was also promising. That said, Jim Crowley has chosen KATHAB over him and the son of Dark Angel may struggle to give 6lb and a beating to the selection.

William Haggas’ gelding only found one too good on his debut in the Wood Ditton last month and he is fully entitled to improve for that experience. NEW BUSINESS was only a place back in third on that occasion and is another to note, along with Ziryab.

NEWBURY

Race 2 – TUXEDO JUNCTION 9/2

TUXEDO JUNCTION finished behind both MUSTAZEED (winner) and TIME INTERVAL (second) on his reappearance last month. He’s now 6lb better off with both of those rivals, however, and it would be no surprise were he to reverse that form en route to victory.

WISPER continues to progress and must be considered, along with WIND YOUR NECK IN, who remains open to further improvement. Others to note include FIRST OFFICER, PREMIERE LIGNE and THE WHIPMASTER.