Thursday’s UK racing tips come your way from meetings at Southwell and Wetherby on 28 March 2024.
WETHERBY
Race 3 – ROYAL MER 15/10
David Pipe has been firing in a few winners of late and ROYAL MER can help maintain the momentum in Wetherby’s Bulloughs Cleaning Services Handicap Chase.
The six-year-old has shown a liking for soft ground on a number of occasions and picked up his third success of the season when scoring comfortably at Leicester earlier this month.
Race 4 – KNOWWHENTOHOLDEM 4/1
Title-chasing Harry Cobden can make the trip up to Yorkshire worthwhile by landing the Full Circle Series At Punchestown Festival Handicap Hurdle on KNOWWHENTOHOLDEM.
He was in the saddle when the nine-year-old prevailed by eight lengths at Newbury for Anthony Charlton recently and retains the ride despite Neil Mulholland now taking over training duties.
Race 5 – IMPERIAL ALEX 67/100
IMPERIAL ALEX ended a frustrating sequence of runner-up efforts in fine style when hacking up by a wide margin at Chepstow on heavy going and can go in again in the Vickers.Bet Handicap Chase.
Taste The Fear did well on penultimate attempt at Hereford when a good third in a 2m5f handicap chase and is worth considering.
Pats Dream placed third among similar company over 2m7f at Kelso two starts ago and holds claims after a break.
Race 7 – MARTIN PLAGE 28/10
MARTIN PLAGE placed third making rules debut at Cheltenham before a fair fourth in a Sandown two-mile jumpers flat event last November. Open to plenty progress and rates a top selection.
Dangerous Touch showed promise attempting an Irish point-to-point during December running second. Could go well when resuming under rules.
Job finished seventh at Newbury contesting a two mile jumpers flat race in January. Likely to improve delivering second attempt.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 – JEANS MAITE 5/1
JEANS MAITE recorded a fifth track and trip success making virtually all the running eight days ago. A replication of that victory is anticipated under her 4.4lb penalty.
The Defiant can remain competitive racing off 5.5lb higher than when scoring over the minimum distance at Chelmsford in latest.
Lingfield runner-up Darlo Pride is respected now back tackling five furlongs, while Sir Benedict responded well to first-time cheekpieces winning here attempting the journey and could be firmly in the mix once more.
Race 4- KING’S FOUNTAIN 2/1
KING’S FOUNTAIN catches the eye in the Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Novice Stakes from the in-form Andrew Balding yard.
The son of Too Darn Hot made a promising racecourse debut when staying on to finish fourth at Sandown last September and there was just a feeling that a subsequent Newmarket sixth may have come too soon after that.
Having been given a full winter break to strengthen up, this half-brother to four winners should now be well set to start showing his true worth.
Race 5 – LOUGH LEANE 67/100
LOUGH LEANE goes for a five-timer in the first division of the Stay Golden With BetMGM Safer Gambling Handicap and another 5lb penalty may not be enough to stop him judged on a facile success at Wolverhampton last time out.
Race 9 – TYKE 4/1
TYKE disappointed contesting five furlongs at Newcastle recently however is worth another chance revisiting his favoured venue where all three of his all-weather wins have come over course and distance.
Trained by Mick Appleby and in decent form attempting six furlongs prior to his recent disappointment.
Safari Dream looks well handicapped resuming with Oisin Murphy a positive booking.
Cliffcake scored comfortably tackling track and trip two starts ago. Cannot be dismissed representing a stable who excels here.
