Thursday’s UK racing tips come your way from meetings at Southwell and Chelmsford on 11 January 2024.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 – BLUE VIRTUE 6/4
BLUE VIRTUE looked in need of the experience on her racecourse bow at Chelmsford, but a better result awaits in the BetUK. Home Of The Acca-Fenwa Fillies’ Novice Stakes.
The Blue Point filly posted a decent effort on her only outing to date last month, coming home third behind a couple of runners who had the benefit of at least one previous start.
Blue Virtue ended up two and a quarter lengths adrift of the winner, with the second-placed Roman Emperor having subsequently franked the form with victory at Southwell last week.
Roger Varian has found a nice opportunity in this six-furlong heat.
Race 4 – SUNNY STREET 15/8
After three luckless runs in novice and maiden company, SUNNY STREET can finally get off the mark in the Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Handicap.
James Tate’s charge has made steady progress since an initial fourth place at Kempton in October, finishing third the next time out and then second on his most recent run at Wolverhampton last month.
He switched up to a mile from seven furlongs on that occasion, with the son of Exceed And Excel just falling short behind an odds-on Godolphin favourite.
Beaten just a length, Sunny Street begins life in handicap company off a mark of 79 and while that represents top weight in this event, Tate’s colt could still be underestimated.
Race 6 – LEAP DAY 4/1
LEAP DAY maintains solid form with a seven-furlong Newcastle third preceding a course and distance novice success, so has a strong chance of another triumph.
Goldsmith recorded a good second tackling a handicap on the all weather at Lingfield before winning by half a length at Wolverhampton.
Hortzadar has been a smart performer over the years. Ran well when third last month at Newcastle in this handicap grade and makes for appeal.
Race 9 – SWAFFHAM BULBECK 7/2
SWAFFHAM BULBECK won here attempting a two mile handicap hurdle on the turf track before a good Chepstow second during October.
Mixed jumps form since but did place second in most recent flat attempt last January at Kempton. This looks an ideal opportunity to score again.
Smokey Malone ran a fair fourth tackling this handicap grade and trip at Bath in September and will be of interest.
Cold Henry could feature following a creditable fifth in a Newcastle two mile handicap last week and hold claims along with Scarborough Castle.
CHELMSFORD
Race 1 – REVERBERATION 5/2
REVERBERATION only managed fifth when well-fancied to follow up his recent success here at Wolverhampton.
May return to winning ways revisiting this venue down in trip.
Hellavapace enjoys this grade and could be in the mix after finishing third at Wolverhampton in latest.
Dual course winner Sirius White would hold claims on his victory tackling seven furlongs at this track in November.
Headshot cannot be ruled out after a fair third-placed finish in a Class Six course and distance handicap.
Race 6 – LOVE DE VEGA 7/2
LOVE DE VEGA can take his turn in the spotlight in the Support Racing Welfare Handicap.
He has finished second in his last two outings for Charlie Johnston, with the reopposing Riot and Revolutionise behind him.
Love De Vega is a four-times turf winner, but he has yet to strike on a synthetic surface and his head defeat at Chelmsford on his penultimate start was as close as he has come to victory.
Eked up 1lb for that defeat, Love De Vega then found a reenergised Hieronymus a shade too good at Kempton, but a repeat of that run should certainly put him in the mix here.
Race 7 – SPARKLING SPIRIT 9/4
SPARKLING SPIRIT can finally get her head in front at the 15th time of asking in the Chelmsford City Racecourse Membership Handicap.
She now sits on her lowest-ever mark of 55 and had she had a bit more luck at Newcastle earlier in the week, she could well have been carrying a winner’s penalty here.
Clearly in fine heart at present, she will have the assistance of Hollie Doyle in the saddle for this swift return.
