UK Racing Tips – Friday 24 March 2023

NEWBURY

Race 1 – THE CARPENTER 5/4

THE CARPENTER looked a nice prospect for Nicky Henderson when winning on his first outing for the stable and holds sound claims of following up in the opening novices’ hurdle today at Newbury. Second behind a now 139-rated rival in a bumper for Stuart Crawford in March 2021 at Navan, he was subsequently bought privately by the ever-expanding Owners Group.

Unfortunately, he then picked up a problem which kept him off the track for 701 days, but he has clearly retained all of his ability. He needed every yard of the extended two miles and two furlongs to get on top close home at Exeter but the strongest part of his race was the finish, so it is no surprise to see him upped to two and a half miles. Of course, there is the dreaded bounce factor to overcome, but a break of 40 days should be just about enough to negate that.

Race 2 – OUR JET

Dan Skelton’s OUR JET only faces three rivals in the second but none can be ruled out with confidence. Our Jet is conceding weight to all three and despite a slightly disappointing effort last time out, he still remains the one with the most potential. Third to Gemirande at Wetherby, the winner almost won the Greatwood Gold Cup on his next start off a 6lb higher mark and the fourth came out and won next time, so the form is strong. Our Jet is taken to resume his progress on what will be his ninth career start and fourth spin over fences.

Race 3 – RUSSIAN RULER 5/2

Henderson’s RUSSIAN RULER holds less obvious claims having failed to complete in his last two races, but there is no denying he possesses an engine. Things have not gone his way since winning a bumper on his debut and he has had the misfortune of bumping into some smart types. Not totally disgraced in the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle last season behind Aucunrisque, his 15-length third to Stay Away Fay now looks much better than it did at the time in November. He subsequently finished lame at Chepstow, then had wind surgery and looked booked for second until falling at the last most recently. Russian Ruler looks well-treated off 120 here and can score at 5/2.

Race 4 – KNOWSLEY ROAD 11/4

Paul Nicholls can continue his good run with KNOWSLEY ROAD in this handicap hurdle. Course specialist Zanza is in here off a much lower mark than he would have to run over fences – 16lb to be precise – but his hurdles form is not a patch on the level he has achieved over the bigger obstacles. Knowsley Road has two wins at Chepstow to his credit this season and enhanced his reputation when third behind Grey Dawning in the Grade Two Leamington Spa Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick. We will like not see the best of Knowsley Road until he tackles fences, but a mark of 134 seems fair enough.

MUSSELBURGH

Race 1 – QUARESOME 6/4

QUARESOME, an £85,000 purchase by Owners Group having won a Roscommon bumper for Kieran Purcell, should win this maiden hurdle at Musselburgh on his debut for Donald McCain. Those up against him do not set an exacting standard and it will be disappointing for all if he is beaten.

Race 2 – LONE STAR 85/40

Philip Kirby has two live chances in the second at Musselburgh, but slight preference is for LONE STAR over Ravenscar. Lone Star has won four of her last five and is clearly on an upward trajectory, going up 25lb in the weights. The handicapper rates her 10lb higher than for her last win, but she was in a different league that day and her improvement may not have stopped yet.