UK Racing tips – Friday 21 July 2023

NEWBURY

Race 1 – BETTIES BAY 7/1

BETTIES BAY can make the most of having her sights lowered in the opening bet365 British EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

The Georgina Nicholls-trained juvenile shaped with huge encouragement when filling the runner-up spot over the course and distance in early June, beaten two lengths by Mapmaker.

That effort prompted connections to have an ambitious tilt at Royal Ascot glory in the Queen Mary and while a 15th-placed finish does not look good on paper, she was fourth on her side of the track.

Mapmaker was also down the field at the Royal meeting in the Albany, but has won again at Newbury since, giving Betties Bay’s debut run an even more solid look. She should prove hard to beat as she bids to open her account at the third time of asking.

Race 5 – NIGHT SPARKLE 11/2

Irish raider NIGHT SPARKLE must be followed in the Uhy Ross Brooke Chartered Accountants Fillies’ Handicap.

The daughter of Postponed won once and was placed five times for Simon and Ed Crisford last season and was subsequently snapped up to go jumping with Michael O’Callaghan.

She made it third time lucky over hurdles at Punchestown in May before successfully reverting to the Flat with a dominant success at Fairyhouse last month.

With her confidence high, Night Sparkle can defy a 10lb higher mark on her return to Britain.

Race 6 – ASADNA 5/4

ASADNA can put Royal Ascot disappointment behind him with victory in the IRE-Incentive – It Pays To Buy Irish Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury.

The Mehmas colt produced a staggering performance on his racecourse debut for George Boughey at Ripon in May, powering 12 lengths clear of his toiling rivals.

While the form is open to question, the rapid time he clocked in North Yorkshire is not and he lined up as a leading contender for last month’s Coventry Stakes.

Asadna’s supporters knew their fate from an early stage at the Royal meeting as the youngster was under pressure a long way from home and in the end passed the post in ninth place, beaten six lengths.

It later transpired he had suffered a minor setback in his preparation and he has since switched stables to join Alice Haynes, who like Boughey has proved her skills with precocious juveniles.

Asadna remains a colt of significant promise and is taken to stamp his class on this Listed event.

Race 7 – VEGAS JACK 17/2

VEGAS JACK has been running consistently well this season and he can go close in this wide-open contest.

Adam West’s charge was second over 1m at Salisbury last time, beaten just a neck by Racing Demon, who reopposes on this occasion. Ed de Giles’ runner is 2lb worse off with that rival which may leave him vulnerable after that meagre success.

Isle Of Jura heads the remainder.

HAYDOCK

Race 1 – SOUTHWOLD 2/1

SOUTHWOLD sets the form standard, having won two of his four outings to date, and the son of Gleneagles is entitled to improve making his debut on turf.

Tele Red is likely to bounce back from his latest effort at Newbury, when only beating one rival home, while Balqaa, who was runner-up at Newcastle when last seen, and He’s A Gentleman appear best of the remainder.

Race 4 – PRINCE ALEX 85/40

PRINCE ALEX may be able to notch a second win at Haydock in the Birchwood Handicap.

It is the best part of three years since the six-year-old won over this track and trip, since when he has plundered a couple of valuable handicaps at York and Goodwood respectively.

He has not managed to get his head in front since the latter of those victories in the summer of 2021 and following previous spells with Ralph Beckett, Michael Bell and Johnny Murtagh, he joined Tom Dascombe prior to the start of the current campaign.

Prince Alex has run two sound races in defeat for his new trainer, most recently finishing fourth at Newmarket, and is likely to appreciate this return to an easier surface.

A slight ease in the weights to a perch of 85, 4lb below his last winning mark, has allowed him to get into this slightly lower grade under top-weight and he can make the most of the opportunity.

Race 5 – UTILIS 5/6

Although UTILIS has something to prove after an underwhelming reappearance on the all-weather earlier in the month, Brian Ellison’s charge holds strong claims on last season’s turf efforts and may bounce back to form in what looks a weak affair.

Dark Desire was pulled up on her debut here last year but better can be expected, while newcomer Inca Queen is a potential fly in the ointment and is worth a second look in the betting.

NIGIRI 6 – 13/10

Plenty went wrong for NIGIRI when finishing third behind subsequent winner Tiffany at Wolverhampton last month and she holds leading claims now entering handicaps off what looks a lenient opening mark.

Streaky Bay defied market expectation when holding on to triumph at Yarmouth recently and a 2lb rise shouldn’t prevent Jane Chapple-Hyam’s filly from going close once more.

Princess Naomi was too bad to be true at Salisbury in mid-June and the three-year-old could also have a say.

NEWMARKET

Race 1 – WILD GODDESS 10/11

WILD GODDESS will take some stopping in the Pertemps Medical Radiography Fillies’ Novice Stakes.

Charlie Appleby’s charge blew the start when favourite on her introduction at Haydock a couple of weeks ago, but showed enough thereafter – making late gains to finish a close-up fourth – to suggest she can reward those who keep the faith.

Race 3 – ELNAJMN 21/20

This looks like an ideal opportunity for ELNAJMN to open his account having filled the runner-up spot on both starts to date.

The son of Sea The Stars went agonisingly close over this trip at Windsor earlier this month and is hard to oppose.

Kiaraad was an impressive winner of a maiden at Beverley but a 5lb penalty makes life tougher, while Jeff Koons failed to live up to market expectations when second at Kempton on debut in April but has been given plenty of time to mature since.

Race 4 – ROYAL SYMBOL 7/2

ROYAL SYMBOL shaped better than the beaten distance suggests when fourth on his belated return to action at Sandown in May, and Charlie Appleby’s gelding looks fairly treated on his handicap debut.

Like A Tiger was perhaps a little disappointing in a Listed event last time, nevertheless, a 77-day break and return to handicap company may see the three-year-old prove more competitive.

Ziryab and Therapist are just but two others to note in a competitive contest.

Race 6 – CONQUISTADOR 11/10

CONQUISTADOR finished a fine third in the Palace of Holyroodhouse at Royal Ascot last month and the son of U S Navy Flag could take some stopping off the same mark in this contest.

Eeh Bah Gum made the perfect start for Ivan Furtado at Lingfield earlier in the month and a 3lb rise shouldn’t prevent the eight-year-old from being involved once again.

Skallywag Bay also arrives in good heart and is likely to be involved in some capacity too.