UK racing tips – Saturday 23 December 2023

HAYDOCK

Race 4 – FAMOUS BRIDGE 5/2

FAMOUS BRIDGE can make it back-to-back wins at Haydock in the Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase.

The seven-year-old always looked like making up into a quality staying chaser in the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings and this once prestigious handicap looks the ideal next port of call after scoring over the course and distance four weeks ago.

Famous Bridge devoured the Merseyside mud before being produced with a late run on that occasion by the excellent Sean Quinlan and a 6lb rise does not look insurmountable for a horse who should still have more to give after just six starts over fences to date.

Race 5 – BOIS GUILLBERT 4/1

BOIS GUILLBERT has been running well so far this prep with a two-length success over two miles at Kelso before a smart Cheltenham third in October tackling the trip.

This outing will be easier and the four-year-old rates a leading player.
Risk D’Argent showed plenty of ability at Warwick last month when second contesting a lower class 2m handicap hurdle and may go close.

Goobinato won after an absence a flat handicap on heavy ground at Catterick during October. Interesting back jumping.

ASCOT

Race 3 – TRIPLE TRADE 11/4

The ultra-consistent TRIPLE TRADE gets the vote in the Howden Handicap Chase.

Bar an unfortunate unseat at Kempton in the spring, Joe Tizzard’s seven-year-old has not finished out of the first three in eight other starts over fences in 2023 so far.

After finishing second on his seasonal debut at Cheltenham in October, Triple Trade returned to Prestbury Park to go one better the following month and was then third behind the talented Boothill when turned out just eight days later for a competitive handicap at Ascot.

Tizzard has given his charge a short break ahead of his latest assignment and with a slight step up in distance viewed as a positive, another bold bid looks assured.

Race 4 – PAISLEY PARK 7/1

PAISLEY PARK is backed to bring the house down at Ascot by claiming his fourth victory in the Howden Long Walk Hurdle.

It is five years since Emma Lavelle’s veteran stayer first lifted the traditional pre-Christmas feature, and he doubled his tally in 2020 before also claiming a rescheduled running at Kempton on Boxing Day last season.

There is no doubt the soon-to-be 12-year-old is not the force he was in his absolute pomp, but he showed there is still plenty of fire in the belly when narrowly failing to reel in Dashel Drasher in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury three weeks ago and he can only improve for that comeback outing.

With a run under his belt, he is fancied to turn the tables on Dashel Drasher, while another of Paisley Park’s old rivals Champ – winner of this race in 2021 – also merits respect on his reappearance, having won first time out in each of the past two years.

Add a few improving younger guns to the mix in West Balboa, Crambo and Botox Has and it is clear this Grade One prize is up for grabs, but Lavelle’s popular old stager looks the solid option.

Race 5 – VICTTORINO 9/2

VICTTORINO can defy top-weight to provide the in-form Venetia Williams with yet another winner in the Howden Silver Cup.

Yeah Man is without a win after seven fences outings. This Gavin Cromwell Irish raider looked to hold every chance when crashing out at the second last attempting a G3 handicap chase won by Victtorino over course and distance last time.

However, is better off at the weights with that rival here and can win if that tumble hasn’t left its mark.

Race 6 – IBERICO LORD 5/2

An 8lb rise might not be enough to prevent Nicky Henderson’s IBERICO LORD supplementing his Greatwood Hurdle win in the concluding Betfair Exchange Trophy.

Impose Toi went up 11.0lb for scoring on handicap hurdle debut at Cheltenham last time out. Could have plenty more to offer.
Altobelli shaped nicely when runner-up over course and distance upon return last month.

Newbury handicap hurdle winner Hansard will give weight all round but could be firmly in the mix with some smart form in the book.