Monday’s UK racing tips come your way from the meetings at Windsor, Redcar and Carlisle on 22 May 2023.
WINDSOR
Race 4 – HAYMAKER 7/2
HAYMAKER can land a knockout blow in the Fitzdares Sprint Series Qualifier Handicap at Windsor. Trained by Hughie Morrison, the four-year-old was twice a winner last season, rising from a starting mark of 75 in May to a high of 90 at the end of August.
However, he failed to make much impact off that perch and started to slide back down the pecking order a bit, finishing third off 87 on his final start of 2022. The handicapper relented another 2lb ahead of the current campaign and while Haymaker could finish only third on his first try Newbury last month, it was a decent effort to be beaten just a length and a half after racing prominently on testing ground. Haymaker should improve for that run out and can make a proper impact here.
Race 5 – GENTLE LIGHT 10/3
GENTLE LIGHT is likely to be a popular choice for this maiden fillies’ stakes. The three-year-old is a full-sister to Group Three winner Light Refrain and posted a decent effort on debut when beaten just under three lengths at Newbury.
She looked in need of the experience, both before and during the race, although the penny did seem to drop late in the day as she stayed on behind Fakhama. The fact the winner was upped to Listed level at York, and ran well in defeat, speaks volumes about the regard in which she is held and moving up to a mile from seven furlongs should suit her.
REDCAR
Race 6 – DUBAI DAWN 6/4
The James Tate-trained DUBAI DAWN can extend his unbeaten record to three in this handicap test at Redcar. A half-brother to Far Above, both his wins have come over six furlongs but he looks to have enough speed for the five furlongs he faces here.
Race 8 – MICHAEL’S PLEDGE 7/1
MICHAEL’S PLEDGE is of clear interest in the final race at Redcar today. In truth, the three-year-old’s three outings in maiden and novice company last season over trips ranging from seven to nine furlongs were fairly uninspiring.
However, having been gelded during the off-season, the son of Churchill was upped markedly in distance in a one-mile-six-furlong handicap at Wetherby on his reappearance last month and justified market confidence with a much-improved performance, beaten just a length into third place. With that run under his belt and competing from the same mark of 57, he should prove hard to beat.
CARLISLE
Race 1 – MALC 11/8
MALC was a 140,000 guineas breeze-up buy last month and should be ready to do himself justice on his first spin out in this novice stakes opener at Carlisle. The son of Calyx is a half-brother to a couple of winners, including Three Coins, a mare who won three times for Malc’s trainer Richard Fahey.
He carries the colours of Middleham Park Racing, who have been an excellent start to the season with their two-year-old string, and hopes will be high that Malc can give his owners an immediate return on their significant investment.
