Thursday’s UK racing tips come your way from the meetings at Taunton, Ludlow and Chelmsford on 29 February 2024.
Taunton
Race 1 – ACTIVIST 9/4
ACTIVIST was off the mark with hurdles producing a five-length success last time. Up in trip and can win again.
Imperial Measure found the frame both starts over course and distance including when second recently and could get involved.
Wellwillya was a well beaten fifth last month however holds minor claims judging on previous third.
Whynotnowroy finished sixth against a big field earlier this month and might place.
Race 3 – JACKPOT D’ATHOU 6/4
JACKPOT D’ATHOU is fancied to redeem his lofty reputation by claiming victory in the Blackdown Motor Company Novices’ Hurdle.
The French import looked set to justify his big price tag of €165,000 when returning from a spell on the sidelines to win going away at Chepstow in early November.
Runner-up Party Vibes has since franked that form by scoring at Wincanton and Market Rasen to earn a rating of 121.
Paul Nicholls initially planned to step Jackpot D’Athou up to Grade One company at Aintree on Boxing Day, only for heavy ground to rule out a trip to Liverpool.
Instead, the five-year-old returned to Chepstow, where he let favourite-backers down by finishing a distant fourth, fading badly after coming under pressure three out.
However, despite all the recent rain, the hope is that he will encounter better conditions at Taunton, which should allow him to show his true worth and get back on track.
Race 4 – KINGOFTHEWEST 10/3
KINGOFTHEWEST has been running well for David Pipe and gets the nod in the Richard Williams Memorial Handicap Chase.
He showed a good attitude to get up late on at Chepstow last month and was unlucky to run into a well-treated winner in Clonakilty when second at Lingfield recently.
Race 7 – SORCELEUR 4/11
SORCELEUR can be another scorer for Nicholls and title-chasing jockey Harry Cobden in the Free Racing On Monday 11th March Open National Hunt Flat Race.
He has been placed in a couple of decent bumpers behind hot prospect Kel Du Large, who again impressed when making a successful debut over hurdles at Hereford on Sunday.
Ludlow
Race 1 – HARA KIRI 13/8
HARA KIRI can kick things off at Ludlow by landing the intriguingly named Prestigious Loo Of The Year Awards Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.
Having shown promise in bumpers for Willie Mullins, this gelding lost his way a bit after joining Alex Hales.
However, another switch to Olly Murphy seems to have rejuvenated him, with an encouraging third at Leicester followed up by a nice Market Rasen success.
Hara Kiri came with a late surge to quicken up past a well-backed previous winner in Good Lord close home that day, and the first two pulled 13 lengths clear of the third.
Race 3 – DELLA CASA LUNGA 2/1
DELLA CASA LUNGA has only had five British starts and scored by eight lengths tackling 2m5f at this course earlier in the month.
Booking of a claimer removes the rise in weights and has strong claims.
Time In The Sun rebounded from a disappointing display to finish second at Wincanton in latest. Will be a key player if able to reproduce that performance tackling the new trip.
Midnightreflection was below her best recently. Won at Ascot earlier in the season and cannot be discounted.
Sandown winner Pretending is another who might do better now up in journey.
Race 4 – ONE TRUE KING 5/1
ONE TRUE KING has slipped down to an attractive mark over fences and is worth support in the Forbra Gold Cup after chasing home the progressive Rockinastorm recently.
Race 5 – FOURTOWNS 11/8
FOURTOWNS shaped with promise on hurdling debut at Newbury. Already demonstrated ability in jumpers flat contests and looks sure to win races.
Schmilsson opened his hurdling account by seven and a half lengths at Sedgefield earlier in the month. Must concede weight all round as a result though unlikely to be far away.
Jour D’evasion filled second spot in a course and distance novice during December. Produced another big race at Huntingdon since and has definite claims.
Chelmsford
Race 2 – MEHMO 13/2
MEHMO is just 2.2lb above his last winning mark. Maintains good form having placed in three of six starts at this venue and another good run is anticipated.
Cabeza De Llave was a last-gasp winner attempting course and distance and enters the equation from just 3.3lb higher.
Top weight and former track and trip winner Dark Side Prince drops to a good mark. Interesting each-way chance.
Four-time winner Munificent is below his last winning rating. Most recent run was encouraging.
Race 4 – LUNARSCAPE 13/2
LUNARSCAPE maintains a low strike-rate but could come good for this stable soon.
Finished second in a similar course and distance handicap last start and rates a serious contender from an unchanged mark.
Dion Baker is another infrequent winner. Recent efforts put him right in the mix from this mark. Might take advantage of the inside draw.
Monkmoor Pip rebounded from a quiet lay-off to finish third in a 1m1/2f Wolverhampton handicap. Has Oisin Murphy in the saddle so chances improve.
Last start Kempton winner Ivasecret is another to take seriously under a penalty.
Race 6 – UNIVERSAL GRACE 4/1
Previous course winner UNIVERSAL GRACE has finished second on her last two appearances tackling course and distance and is expected to go close.
Q Twenty Boy is another former course winner and has been in terrific form at Wolverhampton recently, so will be a strong challenger.
The versatile Admirable Lad has won tackling five furlongs and finished third over seven furlongs at Kempton in recent weeks. Plenty of positives but was behind the top selection the last time they met here.
Race 7 – HOTSPUR HARRY 9/2
HOTSPUR HARRY could be worth waiting for in the closing bet365 Each Way Extra Handicap.
Robert Eddery’s charge returned to form when a well-backed runner-up here last week, just failing to catch a winner which was allowed too much rope out in front.
