Thursday’s UK racing tips come your way from the All-Weather meetings at Chelmsford and Southwell on 18 January 2024.
CHELMSFORD
Race 1 – NEW YORK BAY 5/6
Wide-margin Wolverhampton winner NEW YORK BAY followed up with a hard-fought course and distance success a week ago.
The second scored comfortably at Wolverhampton earlier in the week and Gay Kelleway’s gelding can complete the hat-trick.
Reset Button should appreciate going back up in distance after finishing fifth in a 1m4f classified event at Southwell last time while, Duveen, who was fourth behind New York Bay in the aforementioned handicap, cannot be ignored for the placings.
This Ones For Fred heads the remainder.
Race 2 – KITBAG 10/3
KITBAG was a bit too keen last time out but if he can settle better, the Beverley Knight Plays Ladies’ Night 2024 Handicap looks within his range.
He won in a first-time visor last month and has turned in two reasonable efforts since, including his fourth place at Southwell nearly two weeks ago.
Not beaten far in either contest, Kitbag has been eased 1lb subsequently.
Race 4 – CONQUEST OF POWER 7/2
CONQUEST OF POWER probably wasn’t seen to best effect when fifth at Wolverhampton last time.
However, he’s found the frame on both visits to this venue and a repeat of his third-place finish over seven furlongs at Kempton recently may suffice.
Glencalvie has tumbled down the weights of late but bounced back to form when runner-up over 1m1/2f at Wolverhampton recently.
It remains to be seen if he can back that up but if doing so, surely a bold bid will be on the cards.
L’Argent could do significantly better now dropped dramatically in distance and Boafo Boy shouldn’t be ruled out.
Race 6 – CURTIZ 11/2
CURTIZ should give a good account of himself in the Ministry Of Sound 31st August Handicap.
Successive placed efforts at Lingfield have suggested his winning turn is not far away and, off a falling mark of 56, he is very well handicapped.
SOUTHWELL
Race 2 – SIEMPRE ARTURO 7/4
SIEMPRE ARTURO looks to have been found a gilt-edged opportunity to double his tally in the BetUK. Its Where The UK Bets Restricted Novice Stakes.
Never a factor when running too green to do himself justice on his Wolverhampton introduction, the four-year-old looked to have a much better idea of what is required on his next start at Chelmsford.
While the strength of that race can be questioned, Siempre Arturo could do no more than win comfortably by four lengths and there should be more improvement in the locker.
Daniel and Claire Kubler’s inmate must concede weight all round in his bid to follow up, but this is a race that may not take much winning.
Race 4- TENERIFE SUNSHINE 3/1
TENERIFE SUNSHINE is backed to warm up punters in the Build Your Acca With BetUK Handicap.
A Newmarket maiden winner as a two-year-old before finishing down the field in the Group Three Zetland Stakes, Charlie Johnston’s charge did not resurface until August, when making a successful switch to handicap company on his all-weather debut at Kempton.
On the whole, subsequent results have been a little underwhelming for the son of Lope De Vega, but a recent staying-on fourth on his return to Kempton was a step in the right direction.
Being 1lb below his last winning mark, Tenerife Sunshine is handicapped to add to his tally and it could be the more demanding nature of Southwell is just what he needs to be seen in his best light.
Race 6 – CATESBY 7/4
CATESBY could prove the safest option. Local trainer Scott Dixon unsurprisingly does well at this venue and his previous course and distance winner holds strong claims following a decent fourth-placed finish tackling this trip at Wolverhampton.
Trulie Good produced his first worthwhile piece of form when second over five furlongs here. May go close back up to six furlongs if replicating the effort.
First-time tongue-tie could have a positive impact on Amber Dew while Cubanista is starting to look too well-treated and cannot be ignored.
Race 8 – WARMING 5/1
The George Boughey-trained WARMING looks a likely candidate for the BetMGM: It’s Showtime Handicap.
While three outings in maiden and novice company were nothing to write home about, the Too Darn Hot filly ran much better when third on her handicap debut at Newcastle a fortnight ago.
With cheekpieces fitted for the first time, Warming made much of the running at Gosforth Park before faltering late on and she is another who could be aided by the more demanding nature of this track.
