Thursday’s UK racing tips come your way from meetings at Southwell and Huntingdon on 25 January 2024.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 – TROJAN STORM 9/4
TROJAN STORM can make a winning start for Ian Williams in the BetMGM: Its Showtime Restricted Novice Stakes.
This son of Ulysses was beaten a short head on his racecourse bow at this track earlier in the month when trained by Ralph Beckett, with new connections subsequently snapping him up for 35,000 guineas.
That could prove a shrewd investment as Trojan Storm showed plenty of promise that day when his inexperience was evident.
Race 4 – THE FOXES 15/8
THE FOXES could set up a trip to Saudi Arabia with victory in the BetUK Winter Derby Trial Conditions Stakes.
While the four-year-old is entered in the Winter Derby itself next month, trainer Andrew Balding has indicated the Saudi Cup meeting is a more likely option should his charge prevail in this 11-furlong conditions test.
The Foxes enjoyed a fine start to his Classic campaign last year, coming home second in the Craven Stakes before successfully stepping up to register a narrow victory over White Birch in the Dante at York.
That rival turned the form around in the Derby at Epsom, taking third place while The Foxes was fifth, with a stumble hardly helping his cause although he was never going to trouble the winner Auguste Rodin.
The Foxes then headed to America for the Belmont Derby but a tardy start proved costly as he came home second, having far too much ground to make up at the business end, while the Juddmonte International at York just proved a step too far.
It was a disappointing end to his season but his mark of 113 puts him 4lb ahead of his nearest rival for this all-weather debut, with his class hopefully negating his lack of a recent run.
Race 7 – DAAFY 9/2
Course and distance specialist DAAFY followed up a success here with a good second under the same conditions a week ago.
Might not have much in hand off this current rating but remains the most solid option in this tricky-looking handicap.
Kitaab was disappointing when a well-beaten sixth tackling track and trip recently however remains too well-handicapped to ignore representing an in-form yard.
Flash The Dash caught the eye when fifth over 6f here in November and cannot be left out of calculations.
Race 9 – THANK THE LORD 13/2
THANK THE LORD has been holding his form well during the winter and may prove favourably positioned in stall ten.
The Simon Hodgson-trained runner produced another decent effort when third over this distance at Chelmsford a month ago and just edges preference racing off the same rating.
She’s The Danger scored tackling five furlongs here in the first-time visor and could remain competitive up 6.6lb in weights.
Kempton Class Six handicap winner First Company needs respect while Hiatus finished fourth that day and cannot be ruled out from an each-way perspective.
HUNTINGDON
Race 1 – LIME DROP 4/1
LIME DROP finished runner-up Ludlow on both fences outings to date. Could prove the answer to this tricky handicap chase.
Immortal was extremely disappointing at Ascot in latest however is clearly thought capable of better and may prove a different proposition now sent chasing for a top stable.
Talented dual-purpose performer Aggagio landed a Class Two handicap hurdle at Haydock when last seen 292 days ago. Must be respected making chasing debut.
Race 5 – BRIDES HILL 8/11
BRIDES HILL can launch another successful raid for Gavin Cromwell in the Pertemps Network Lady Protectress Mares’ Chase.
The Irish handler has eight British victories to his credit this term, although Brides Hills’ previous trip to these shores ended in a first-fence fall in another Listed heat at Perth last April.
She has since scored twice in Ireland, hacking up by eight lengths back in September before returning last month to secure a head verdict at Fairyhouse, where she looked value for the official margin.
Race 6 – STEAL A MARCH 6/1
STEAL A MARCH should strip fitter for the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle qualifier after returning from a year on the sidelines at the end of December.
Victorious in one of these races at Wincanton on Boxing Day 2022, Steal A March did not run again until Newbury 26 days ago when he came home last of five finishers after just running out of petrol at the finish.
Better is expected here with a run out under his belt.
Race 7 – CRAZIERTHANDAISY 6/4
Walk In The Park mare Crazierthandaisy catches the eye on paper and is considered making debut for the Nicky Henderson yard.
Seas The Day looks the pick of those with experience following her pleasing initial second-placed finish over 2m in a Wetherby jumpers flat.
Just A Memory can leave behind a disappointing debutante effort at Aintree given she was strong in the market that day.
