Friday’s UK racing tips come your way from meetings at Ascot and Catterick on 24 November 2023.
ASCOT
Race 1 – IDEAL DES BORDES 3/1
IDEAL DES BORDES can make a winning start over obstacles in the Ascot Partners “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle.
The five-year-old won a three-mile Quakerstown point-to-point last December before joining Nicky Henderson to start his career under rules at Warwick back in May.
Sent off the 11/10 favourite, Ideal Des Bordes seemingly found the two-mile trip a bit on the short side as he had to settle for a length-and-a-half third behind a lesser-fancied stablemate.
However, there was plenty of promise in that performance and moved up to just short of two and a half miles here for his hurdles bow Ideal Des Bordes should find the distance more to his liking.
Race 3 – DODDIETHEGREAT 6/4
Henderson’s string are in flying form and there is bound to be plenty of interest as DODDIETHEGREAT returns in the Give The Gift Of Ascot Membership “Introductory” Hurdle.
The seven-year-old is unbeaten in three starts to date, winning two bumpers in the 2020/21 season before delivering a thoroughly impressive hurdles success in November 2021, hosing up by 22 lengths in an average event at Kempton.
Doddiethegreat suffered an injury in the course of that victory and has not run since, so while his fitness after a 746-day absence must be taken on trust, his ability is not in doubt.
Race 4 – MACKENBERG 9/1
MACKENBURG can make the long hike south pay dividends in the S.A.F.E. Handicap Chase.
Trained in Cheshire by Donald McCain, the eight-year-old was beaten just a short head on his seasonal bow at Wetherby last month, facing something of an impossible task in conceding 18lb to Getaway Luv in the Bobby Renton.
He was raised a further 1lb for that effort but he has won off slightly higher in the past and will relish the likely good ground.
Race 5 – GIN COCO 11/10
GIN COCO is another who seemingly saves his best for quicker conditions and he is the pick in the Garden For All Seasons Handicap Hurdle.
The ground was probably a touch too soft on his return in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las and easy conditions saw him bypass the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last week – a race in which he finished second last year.
He is just 2lb higher now and in a lesser heat, Gin Coco could take some beating.
CATTERICK
Race 2 – UNION FLAG 11/8
Donald McCain should also be on the mark with UNION FLAG. A €25,000 purchase in October after failing to strike in 11 starts for Noel Meade, he offered an immediate return with a six-length strike at Musselburgh earlier in the month and the Best Odds Guaranteed At Vickers.Bet Juvenile Hurdle offers a good follow-up opportunity.
Race 3 – FIVE DOLLAR FINE 4/1
FIVE DOLLAR FINE indicated a future with fences when third on chasing debut at Hexham.
This represents a drop in grade and with that chasing experience a bold bid is anticipated.
Royle Steel battled on to score narrowly over this distance at Sedgefield and can remain competitive racing off a 2.2lb higher rating.
Limerick Leader competes off the same mark as when runner-up tackling fences at Newcastle in May and might be suited by conditions on reappearance.
Race 5 – DOC MCCOY 6/5
Jamie Snowden maintains an impressive 48 per cent strike-rate when sending horses to Catterick and DOC MCCOY won nicely on hurdling debut at Huntingdon last month.
Can give weight all around and remain unbeaten when hurdling.
Got Your Back ran well finishing third debuting under rules at Wetherby back in April and holds strong claims now hurdling for new connections.
Irish point-to-point runner-up Bugise Seagull must be respected making initial stable outing.
Race 6 – ANTI BRIDGIE 9/2
ANTI BRIDGIE shaped as though she could step forward for the run when a close-up third on chasing debut at Carlisle in October.
That contest was fierce enough for the grade and with an unexposed profile in staying chases there could be plenty more to come
Twoshotsoftequila went down narrowly in a handicap chase on the same card and rates a strong contender stepping back up in trip.
Two-time chase winner Kayf Hernando likely needed the run when sixth at Plumpton and remains lightly-raced.
