UK racing tips – Sunday 7 January 2024

PLUMPTON

Race 1 – THROUGH THE AGES 1/5

The biggest day of the year at Plumpton and the richest-ever raceday in the history of the track begins with a new race to the programme.

Top local trainer Gary Moore trains THROUGH THE AGES (1) who looks hard to beat following an easy 15L success in this grade at Newbury tackling a similar trip. Top selection.

NACHTGEIST (3) ran well at Hereford when third in a 2m juvenile maiden hurdle on Thursday. Makes for appeal. MACARI (2) is open to further improvement and can fight out third with CLENCHED (5) rating next best.

Race 2 – AUTHORISED SPEED 5/6

AUTHORISED SPEED (1) was unlucky to fall in the closing stages at Ascot on chase debut over 2m1f. Progress likely and this race looks an ideal opportunity to bounce back. Leading player.

OXYGEN (5) bids for a hat-trick following a Lingfield 2m4f victory prior to a course and distance success by 0.75L in this grade three weeks ago. Main danger.

SCARFACE (3) placed third that day and can build on that effort. Shortlist. RED WINDSOR (4) finished 9L runner-up attempting 2m1f here during November. Holds claims.

Race 3 – CLASSIC ANTHEM 5/6

CLASSIC ANTHEM (1) brings a promising profile following a 2L success in an easier 2m novices handicap hurdle tackling heavy ground at Sandown. Leading contender.

ROCK DANSE (2) scored by 3L at Hexham attempting a 2m4f maiden hurdle on testing going. Rates highly. WEST WARHORSE (3) improved at Fakenham when a 16L winner of a 2m4f maiden hurdle. Up in level but looks interesting.

WALKS LIKE THE MAN (8) secures a top jockey. Placed third in a 2m novices hurdle here three weeks back. One to note.

Race 4 – ELDORADO ALLEN 9/4

The inaugural running of this competitive and classy handicap hurdle. Multiple Grade 2 winner ELDORADO ALLEN (3) has posted two strong chase efforts this season with an Ascot premier handicap chase third before a fourth tackling a Newbury premier handicap chase over 3m2f a month ago.

Returns to hurdles and could be the star of the show. HITITI (5) showed plenty of ability in this handicap hurdle grade at Sandown when a neck second tackling 2m7f. Can go close.

Former Grade 2 winner CALL ME LORD (1) found success over 2m4f at Hereford last month. Makes appeal. RAMO (7) holds winning course and distance form and is respected alongside ON THE BLIND SIDE (4).

Race 5 – FOXBORO 9/2

An open and competitive renewal of the feature race at Plumpton. FOXBORO (5) placed at this meeting in 2021 and showed a liking to staying chases when a 20L winner tackling a 3m7f handicap chase at Exeter on soft ground last month. Rates highly.

TOMMIE BEAU (1) enjoys this course and is three from five here. The nine-year-old won a similar level event at Fontwell in November and holds every chance. Two-time track winner GOLD CLERMONT (9) found success by 14L at Fakenham over 3m5f last month. Consider.

ROSE OF ARCADIA (3) represents last years winning stable and posted a solid third attempting a Newbury Listed mares chase three weeks ago. Could go close. SPECIAL ACCEPTANCE (11) was runner-up in this race in 2021. Decent track record and can feature.

Race 6 – MORFEE 7/2

MORFEE (3) found success by a neck at Taunton in similar company tackling 2m7f last month. This previous course winner rates a serious player.

FLAGRANT DELITIEP (7) posted a decent fourth at Wincanton over a similar trip at this level before unseating the rider at Chepstow. Makes appeal to bounce back.

ICAQUE DE L’ISLE (2) ran well at Fakenham in November when 3L second contesting a 2m5f handicap chase. In the mix. SHAW’S CROSS (10) is not dismissed following a smart neck second over this course and distance three weeks ago.

Race 7 – BUCEPHALUS 15/4

BUCEPHALUS (8) ran well on jumping return when a good third at Kempton in a similar level 2m handicap hurdle in November. Likely player.

COLOURS ON CANVAS (4) won by 2L at Lingfield in November contesting a 2m novices hurdle.

Interesting on that form. ONE LAST GLANCE (11) showed plenty of ability at the same venue when 1L second in a lower grade 2m handicap hurdle. Holds claims.

SALIGO BAY (7) could feature for a notable local stable following a course and distance selling hurdle success by 20L.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 1 – PRINCE ALI 11/1

PRINCE ALI (6) showed good form prior to a 4.5L sixth tackling a 1m1/2f handicap at this track. Can return to form with a win.

TIO MIO (4) looks up to challenging following a neck success over 1m1 1/2f at this track. RUSSIAN VIRTUE (3) completed a double winning by 0.8L attempting a 2m1f handicap hurdle at Carlisle. Holds strong claims revisiting the flat.

SHAHEEN SAQAAR (1) is another to consider on the back of a 2L success over 1m1 1/2f at this venue.

Race 2 – DREAM OF HOPE 5/4

DREAM OF HOPE (3) took a step forward finishing 1.5L third in a 1m novice race at Lingfield during October and is selected to break her maiden at the third attempt.

WINDCRACK (9) showed plenty of ability when debuting with a 3.5L third over 1m at Lingfield. Expected to play a role.

LA FLEUR PETRUS (6) holds claims following a 1L fourth in a 1m1/2f event here on debut. VILLE NATALE (7) debuted with a 4L third in a 1m novice race at Chelmsford. Claims.

Race 3 – SAVVY BRILLIANCE 13/8

SAVVY BRILLIANCE (6) won his past two starts including by 5.5L attempting a 1m6f handicap at Southwell and is taken to complete a hat-trick.

ARTISAN DANCER (12) rates highly on the back of a 6L second in a 1m6f handicap at this venue.

SIMIYANN (8) returned from a break with a 3.5L fifth tackling a 1m1 1/2f handicap at this circuit. Shortlist stepping up in distance.

THIRTYFOURSTITCHES (7) is another with claims following a 5.5L fifth in a 1m4f maiden at this track.

Race 4 – BASS PLAYER 6/1

BASS PLAYER (2) placed both starts this lay-off including when 0.5L second over 1m1/2f at this track and is selected to deliver his second career win.

TITAN ROCK (1) performed well when 2.3L fourth in a 7f handicap here. Holds strong claims of recording a victory.

ERNIE’S VALENTINE (7) rates highly on the back of a 0.5L success in a 1m1/2f handicap at this circuit. TRUE STATESMAN (9) is another with claims following a 0.5L third in that 1m1/2f contest.

Race 5 – SMOKY MOUNTAIN 2/1

SMOKY MOUNTAIN (1) delivered a neck second attempting a 7f handicap at this venue and is selected to go one better.

ALETHIOMETER (12) won by 1L a 6f handicap at this track. Capable of delivering another big effort. POETIC FORCE (9) has been off the track since a 2.5L third over 1m at Brighton. Warrants close consideration returning to action.

DUTCH KINGDOM (11) managed to win twice prior to a 1.8L fifth tackling 7f here. Worth noting.

Race 6 – DIOMED SPIRIT 3/1

DIOMED SPIRIT (5) completed a hat-trick winning by a neck a 5f handicap at Chelmsford and can continue the winning streak.

MOON FLIGHT (8) delivered a 5L victory contesting a 5f novice race at this track. Expected to play a role.

STRONG JOHNSON (4) raced from the front when beaten 5.5L second over 5f at Southwell. Could prove dangerous.

NIGHT ON EARTH (9) finished 1.8L fourth tackling 5f in a handicap at Newcastle on his penultimate start. Claims.

Race 7 – MISS MOONSHINE 5/2

MISS MOONSHINE (1) won by 0.5L tackling 6f at Lingfield last week. Looks capable of following up.

DOVES OF PEACE (8) ended last year with a 3L third in a 7f handicap at Lingfield early November. Expected to go well returning to action.

SAVANNAH SMILES (12) resumed from a break with a 1.3L third at Lingfield attempting a 6f handicap. Shortlist. VOLTAIC (6) may register a win following a 5.5L seventh over 7f at this track.

Race 8 – WHITE MIST 3/1

WHITE MIST (11) won by 0.5L racing over 6f at this track and looks capable of following up.

MISS CALCULATION (9) came home 1.5L fourth tackling 6f here. Holds strong claims. DELLA MARE (2) returned to action with a 5.8L ninth in a 6f handicap at this circuit. Could prove dangerous with improvement expected.

HIGHER LAW (8) placed third beaten a neck in a 6f handicap at Southwell on his penultimate start. Rates a chance on form shown that day.