Friday’s UK racing tips come your way from meetings at Sandown and Wolverhampton on 27 January 2024.
SANDOWN
Race 1 – SOUTHOFTHEBORDER 4/6
SOUTHOFTHEBORDER was a disappointing favourite on his last trip to Esher, but can make amends in the Cardinal Wolsey “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.
Very deep ground took its toll in a Grade Two affair, as he unshipped his rider when looking pretty tired at the penultimate flight.
Race 3 – MOUNT TEMPEST 9/4
MOUNT TEMPEST bids for a hat-trick with a course and distance handicap chase success preceding a higher-graded victory at Wetherby two weeks ago. Will go well here.
Sir Psycho won attempting this level on seasonal return at Ascot by four lengths over 2m3f before a smart second at Exeter and should be included on your shortlist.
Keep Running found success at Taunton contesting a lower standard 2m novices handicap chase. Holds claims.
Kotmask shouldn’t be dismissed after an impressive Plumpton win three starts back. Posted a decent fourth at Kempton a month ago too.
Race 4 – ROSE OF ARCADIA 7/2
The highlight of the card is the Grand Military Gold Cup, in which ROSE OF ARCADIA is favoured at the weights.
A six-times winner under rules, Rose Of Arcadia got the current campaign off to a cracking start with victory over hurdles at Newton Abbot in October and she has not run terribly in defeat since.
A premier handicap at Cheltenham proved beyond her but she produced a career best when third in a Listed mares’ chase at Newbury, beaten just two lengths by Pink Legend.
An extended three and a half miles at Plumpton subsequently stretched her stamina, so dropping back to three miles again here looks ideal, particularly given her handy 7lb mares allowance.
Race 6 – BOLD REACTION 7/2
BOLD REACTION ran well at Doncaster last month when second in this grade over 2m3f and is a serious player.
Gyllen bids for a hat-trick following a pair of Taunton victories. Could go close once more up in level.
Toonagh Warrior arrives in strong form with a Wetherby 2m novices hurdle success preceding a close Ascot second. Makes for appeal.
Elle Est Beau placed third contesting a course and distance mares handicap hurdle. Consider.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 2 -LANDLORDTOTHESTARS 3/1
LANDLORDTOTHESTARS only just failed to make it a double on his most recent run, being beaten a head at Lingfield just under two weeks ago.
Racing off a 5lb higher mark and in slightly better company, the four-year-old only just fell short against a rival who had also been on a hot streak of form.
The handicapper has raised James Evans’ charge a further 2lb for that effort, but he can race off his old mark in the Win £2,000,000 With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Handicap and should be able to take advantage.
Race 3 – JUST A SPARK 7/2
JUST A SPARK roared back to form on her return earlier this month and can keep up the good work in the BetUK. It’s Where The UK Bets Handicap at Wolverhampton.
Rod Millman’s charge was a four-times winner last term, racking up a hat-trick on the all-weather between February and April before adding a turf success at Newmarket in June for good measure.
However, her fine form petered out in the high summer months and Millman pulled stumps at the end of September, opting to give her an extended break that kept her on the sidelines until January 2.
Just A Spark reappeared over the same six furlongs she faces here that day and duly showed her rivals – including the reopposing Intervention – a clean pair of heels, tracking the early pace before sprinting two and a quarter lengths clear at the line.
She was getting 14lb from Intervention on that occasion and her advantage is reduced to 11lb this time, but the manner of her victory suggested she could now be ready to defy a career high mark.
Race 6 – BIG R 15/8
This may go the way of BIG R. The Eve Johnson Houghton four-year-old won with authority over this distance when dropping to Class Six level for the first time at Kempton nine days ago and can make light work of the 5.5lb penalty.
Alafdhal finished third behind an in-form horse over course and distance last-time and requires the utmost respect given he is dangerously well-treated on exploits of last year.
Warminster produced a good effort to fill the runner-up position at Newcastle a week ago and must be considered off the same mark.
Astrophysics will be more than capable of getting involved for the placings.
Race 7 – UPEPO 10/11
It’s hard to get away from the claims of UPEPO following back-to-back wins at Lingfield.
He is 1.1lb well-in at the weights under his penalty and can complete a hat-trick under Rossa Ryan.
Easter Island shaped nicely when second at Newcastle following four months off. May take a step forward with that run under his belt.
There was plenty of market support behind a Classic Speed stable debut at Lingfield in December. Could only finish sixth that day but remains of interest off this falling mark.
