UK racing tips – Friday 22 December 2023

UTTOXETER

Race 2 – ITSNOTEASY 10/11

ITSNOTEASY can make it third time lucky under rules in the Richard Winterton Auctioneers Maiden Hurdle.

The five-year-old fetched £100,000 after landing an Irish point-to-point and showed the benefit of an October blow-out when going down by just a neck to the well-backed Ten Lengths Tom at this venue.

Race 3 – HI RIKO 9/2

HI RIKO was beaten a head by a subsequent winner over course and distance on seasonal debut.

Filled the same position at Lingfield in latest. Up another 5.5lb but remains progressive and will be a big player.

Jumpers flat race winner Midnight Soldier has suffered heavy defeats in three hurdle outings. Could be a different proposition in handicaps.

Top weight Jack Sprat scored at Huntingdon in November. Comfortably held when fifth at Wincanton since. Might be capable of better.

Last start Carlisle winner Begoodtoyourself is another to consider.

Race 5 – CLASSIC MASESTRO 2/1

CLASSIC MAESTRO can win on the fourth attempt over hurdles.

Finished second to an unbeaten rival at Hexham before going down by a neck at Newcastle last week. Slight step up in trip could suit.

Bobo Mac has also made the frame on his last two starts. The veteran is operating from a favourable mark and can make his presence felt again.

Double Click failed to beat a rival on his past two runs but is capable of better.

A switch to handicap company might benefit multiple point-to-point winner Tara Cover.

Race 7 – DAMARTA 9/2

DAMARTA received wind surgery since finishing third attempting a Stratford novice in November. Looks to be on a reasonable mark now switching to handicaps.

Bottom weight Smart Casual only lost out by a head at Fontwell and with ratings unchanged may go well.

Present Fair had an unhappy experience jumping fences at Newcastle last month but is dangerous to underestimate revisiting hurdles.

Staar returns from a long absence. Finished second tackling track and trip when last seen in action.

ASCOT

Race 2- WELCOM TO CARTRIES 8/15

Some promising big-money buys will go to post in the Howden Maiden Hurdle but WELCOM TO CARTRIES has the best form in the book and will take some stopping.

Last December’s impressive Irish point-to-point winner started out under rules by going down narrowly to Beat The Bat after a ding-dong battle up the home straight at this course.

That pair pulled 15 lengths clear of the third and the winner went on to be a rock-solid second to Dysart Enos at Cheltenham next time out.

Race 3- HOMME PUBLIC 15/8

HOMME PUBLIC has taken well to jumping fences and can defy top weight in the Howden Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.

Although fortunate to win an Arkle trial at Cheltenham following the departure of JPR One, that was still a commendable effort, while a previous Wetherby victory over Geromino has worked out well.

Race 4 – PONCHO 16/1

Poncho has taken a tumble in his last couple of races but Gary Moore’s five-year-old can hopefully get back on track in the WB Wealth Handicap Hurdle.

The son of Motivator produced two nice performances as a novice last term and looks the type to enjoy lying handy and quickening up off a strong pace, which he should get here.

Race 5 –  MIGHT I 5/2

MIGHT I offers the most appeal from a small but select field for the Grade Two Howden Noel Novices’ Chase.

Harry Fry’s charge was a smart novice hurdler a couple of seasons ago, beating Thunder Rock by 11 lengths at Newton Abbot before actually being sent off favourite against Constitution Hill at Sandown.

He obviously had to settle for second best that day but went on to also be placed behind Jonbon at Haydock and in Grade One company at Aintree.

The seven-year-old’s second term over timber was a bit of a stop-start affair punctuated by minor setbacks, but closing with a fine fourth of 21 to Iroko at the Cheltenham Festival marked him down as a hot prospect again for when put over fences.

Might I paid the price for some sloppy jumping when second to Complete Unknown on his chasing debut at Newton Abbot but enjoyed a confidence-boosting victory in an Exeter match after his sole opponent was pulled up.

Fry has admitted the gelding will need to be more fluent over fences if he is to fulfil his potential, but this is a good chance to show just how far he can go.

Paddy Power Gold Cup fifth Unexpected Party is coming off a couple of hard races in relatively quick succession, while recent winners Djelo and Kandoo Kid have a bit to find on hurdles ratings.

Race 6 – LET IT RAIN 6/1

Ascot’s action finishes off with a red-hot bumper packed full of previous winners and LET IT RAIN may take advantage of a 7lb allowance given out to fillies and mares in the Thames Materials Open National Hunt Flat Race.

Dan Skelton’s charge justified some strong support when powering home by eight lengths on her racecourse bow at Warwick and has plenty of scope for improvement.