UK racing tips – Monday 22 January 2024

WARWICK

Race 2 – LIGHTENIG MAHLER 5/6

LIGHTENING MAHLER made a winning hurdle debut at Hereford earlier this month.

Jumped left there so this track could suit. Leading chance for the in-form Skelton duo.

Jeune Belle won by three lengths delivering initial hurdle outing at Lingfield during December.

Up three furlongs in trip here and needs a mistake free round for the in-form Lucy Wadham team.

Either Or ran second here contesting a jumpers flat in November. Interestingly attempts hurdles so soon but shouldn’t be ruled out.

Race 3 – SMILING GETAWAY 13/8

SMILING GETAWAY was a comfortable winner at Ludlow on her first outing for Nigel Twiston-Davies and can double up at Warwick, where she goes in division two of the Welcombe Hills Vineyard Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

A point-to-point winner, she began life with Dan Skelton under rules and finished fourth in a Southwell bumper, but then had almost a year off before reappearing for her new yard.

Between Waters was a hot favourite in that Ludlow race, but she had no answer to Smiling Getaway after the last, with the selection doing it comfortably on what was her hurdling debut.

Race 5 – TOP CLOUD 9/2

TOP CLOUD has improved this season since joining Robbie Llewellyn. Comes here on the back of two wins with the latest by a head at Ascot in December.

Has a leading chance here and good ground would suit even more.
Seefin was last seen running second at Ascot in November and is worth considering.

Edison Kent in a first time visor is back hurdling having pulled up chasing at Fontwell during December. Prior to that won by 23 lengths hurdling at Fakenham in December.

Feivel was a winner at Exeter start of the month in first time blinkers. They remain on and the nine-year-old should be thereabouts off this mark.

Race 7 – TEA CLIPPER 4/6

Tom Lacey’s TEA CLIPPER stands out by some way in the Willoughby De Broke Open Hunters’ Chase.

Only nine, he has run with credit in the last two versions of the Ultima at Cheltenham, finishing fourth and sixth from marks in the mid-140s.

He is without a win since October 2021 but has been keeping good company and the last time he was seen a month ago, he ran right up to his mark.

NEWCASTLE

Race 2 – BONITO CAVALO 13/8

A switch to the all-weather worked the oracle for BONITO CAVALO earlier in the month and now he has got his head in front, he can strike again in the Bet £10 Get £40 At BetMGM Handicap.

Perhaps it was no surprise an artificial surface would suit Jim Goldie’s five-year-old, as his trainer knows the family exceptionally well and many of them are all-weather scorers.

Steadied and squeezed just a touch leaving the stalls, he spotted the leaders a fair start but made very nice progress through the final two furlongs to win cosily.

He is 6lb higher for that but could have more to come, so that is not too off-putting and nor is the move to seven furlongs.

Race 6 – WHATWOULDYOUKNOW 11/1

Three-time course and distance winner WHATWOULDYOUKNOW is just 1.1lb above the mark from which he won here in November.

Not at his best on Friday but an improved showing would not surprise.
Elveven Eleven won by 1.5L over course and distance. Maintains a rating from which he can be competitive and has a chance.

Veteran Danielsflyer is 4.4lb lower than when winning here last March. A must for the shortlist after showing promise on two most recent runs.
The in-form Panama City can also be considered.

Race 7 – DORNOCH CASTLE 13/2

DORNOCH CASTLE has come a long way down the weights since being highly tried as a juvenile.

Likely retains most of his ability following a light campaign last summer. Can make a bold bid.

Swiss Ace is yet to win attempting this journey. Ran a track and trip third which was encouraging.

Irish Flame won a novice over course and distance in December 2022. Likely to win races from this mark soon.

Recent Southwell second Star Zinc also warrants respect at a venue he has succeeded at before.