Friday’s UK racing tips come your way from meetings at Southwell, Catterick and NEwcastle on 2 February 2024.
CATTERICK
Race 2 – ONENIGHTINTOWN 9/2
ONENIGHTINTOWN returned after a four-month lay-off with a third over course and distance.
Only beaten by six lengths and could improve for race fitness, so the Micky Hammond-trained ten-year-old has a top chance in the Racingtv.Com Handicap Chase.
Kings Justice has made steady headway since a lay-off with a second and a first. Switches to open company and will challenge for honours.
The Paddy Pie carries top weight. Drops back significantly in distance after a seventh at this circuit attempting three miles and a furlong.
Rolling River could sneak a place if producing a good round of jumping.
Race 3 – MAASAI MARA 13/8
MAASAI MARA can take a step forward from a promising hur 33/20dles debut with victory at Catterick.
John O’Shea’s charge lines up in the Raceday Ready Juvenile Maiden Hurdle after being beaten just over two lengths on his debut for the yard at Hereford at the start of January.
Winner of two of his eight Flat starts for John and Thady Gosden, Maasai Mara was certainly not a cheap purchase at 170,000 guineas last July and given he was having his first start in more than six months, his effort could be upgraded slightly.
His jumping was largely good and his challenge was hardly helped when a bit short of room in the closing stages, up against an odds-on shot with previous experience.
Race 5 – ELEANOR BOB 15/8
ELEANOR BOB can get a confidence boost in the Happy 85th Birthday John Jarvis Mares’ Handicap Chase.
A fine fourth behind Famous Bridge at Haydock after a long lay-off in November, Eleanor Bob was well supported when facing up to that same rival in the Tommy Whittle back at the Merseyside track before Christmas.
However, Venetia Williams’ mare made an early error from which she failed to recover, trailing home a 37-length seventh behind Famous Bridge, having previously been beaten just four and a quarter lengths.
This is an easier task and Eleanor Bob can take full advantage.
Race 7 – BELLE NA BANN 11/4
BELLE NA BANN appears well-handicapped after two good wins and brings the benefit of conditional claim.
Produced a win over course and distance when last seen at Catterick at the start of January and enjoys these conditions.
Letthedustsettle sits at the top of the weights following a comfortable six length success tackling track and trip. Could be in the mix again.
Lenebane holds each-way claims based on two good fifths at different tracks.
Turbulent Power improved from a reappearance sixth to run fifth at Kelso and is also in with a place shout.
SOUTHWELL
Race 2 – MY GIFT TO YOU 2/1
MY GIFT TO YOU can bring up his hat-trick in the Southwell Golf Course Handicap Chase.
He has been mixing it up over hurdles and fences since joining James Owen last summer, winning twice each over hurdles and fences.
Victorious in chase company in November, he followed up back over the smaller obstacles at this track in mid-January and should be untroubled by another switch back here.
Race 3 – ACT OF AUTORHITY 8/11
Olly Murphy won this last season with a useful performer and ACT OF AUTORHITY can ensure he retains the prize.
A two-time winner over hurdles at Bangor-on-Dee this season he sets the standard bringing the added bonus of a 7.7lb claim of talented conditional Dylan Johnston.
Catterick winner Teorie raced too freely when beaten at Musselburgh last month. Might make a bold bid in receipt of plenty of weight.
Returning to better ground could see course and distance maiden hurdle winner Tommie Gun bounce back from a below-par effort at Leicester.
Newcomer Diskatek requires a market check with Harry Cobden booked.
Race 5 – GLOBE PLAYER 5/2
There could be more to come from GLOBE PLAYER. He was somewhat disappointing when a remote third here on handicap debut in December but could prove a different proposition up in trip with first-time cheekpieces applied.
Zwicky is consistent and holds solid claims. The Phil Kirby-trained hurdler received a break since finishing third in this class at Hexham and must be respected under Cobden.
Myfanwy’s Magic looks interesting now entering handicap company attempting a more suitable distance.
Jaramillo holds form to play a role.
Race 6 – GETAWAY GLORY 7/2
Irish point-to-point winner GETAWAY GLORY could relish this sizeable step up in trip following a fair fourth-placed finish in a maiden hurdle at Sedgefield on Boxing Day.
The opening mark looks well within range and there is every chance a first-time tongue-tie will have a positive effect.
Hobb’s Delight encountered one when runner-up tackling track and trip sixteen days ago. Can remain a major contender despite a 4.4lb rise in weights.
It’s tough to discount Fantomas who runs off the same rating as when second over course and distance in October.
Matoury warrants thought now significantly raised in journey delivering initial handicap outing.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 – BRUNELLO BREEZE 6/4
BRUNELLO BREEZE has maintained excellent form around Newcastle of late.
Holds solid credentials in his bid to follow up a commanding course and distance success.
Although disappointing when a short-priced favourite at Lingfield recently Asgard’s Captain remains the likely danger based on his victory over 1m1/2f at Wolverhampton last month.
Red Treasure could go well under top amateur Simon Walker. Loom Large makes for each-way appeal.
Race 4 – TASMANIAN LEGEND 13/10
Tasmanian Legend is another who has recently changed yards, moving from James Ferguson to Alice Haynes.
He stuck at the first time of asking for the trainer when successfully dropping back to a mile to record a narrow victory at Newcastle.
Haynes sticks to that course and distance in the Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Handicap and the Australia gelding can defy a 2lb higher mark.
Race 5 – GOBI SUNSET 7/1
A competitive event where plenty arrive with a live chance.
Slender preference goes to the top-weight GOBI SUNSET who is due to go up 1.1lb following a fine second over 6f at Southwell ten days ago.
This two-time course and distance winner may prove favourably positioned out in stall ten.
The Ruth Carr trained six-time course and distance winner Bobby Joe Leg maintains form after completing a hat-trick at Southwell and cannot be ignored under his 4.4lb penalty.
Recent Southwell third Kats Bob must be respected, along with Rory who should be included after being denied a neck tackling five furlongs here last week.
Race 7 – ROCKLEY POINT 13/2
Likely pace angle ROCKLEY POINT has been holding his form around this level of late.
He finished a good fourth at Southwell last time out and may enjoy the run of the race out in front.
Sherdil finished just behind the main selection when third at Wolverhampton and cannot be left out of calculations among classified company.
Two-time course and distance winner Joshua R is nicely drawn delivering first outing for 126 days while Street Life could go well from stall ten following a sound third-placed finish tackling track and trip eight days ago.
