UK racing tips – Thursday 4 January 2024

HEREFORD

Race 2 – GOBLET OF FIRE 15/8

GOBLET OF FIRE is given another chance to show he has a decent future over jumps in the Best Odds Guaranteed At PlanetSportBet Juvenile Maiden Hurdle.

The son of Saxon Warrior won three of his last four Flat races for Nigel Tinkler before joining Nicky Henderson and was a well-backed second favourite for his National Hunt debut at Sandown.

Having set the pace with market leader Castelfort, Goblet Of Fire faded out to finish fourth behind that victor after fluffing the second last, but that was on heavy ground and he is worth sticking with for now.

Race 3 – LIGHTENING MAHLER 6/4

Melusine De Pail sets a solid standard in the first division of the Download The PlanetSportBet App Mares’ Maiden Hurdle after placed efforts at Ludlow and Lingfield but LIGHTENING MAHLER could be a fly in the ointment.

She impressed when quickening clear to land an Irish point-to-point last April and the next three home that day all went on to win between the flags afterwards.

Lightening Mahler looked a good buy at £72,000 when subsequently put through the sales ring and is in good hands with Dan Skelton.

Race 4 – BETTY’S TIARA 4/1

Stratford bumper winner BETTY’S TIARA faced tough tasks under a penalty in hot contests at Aintree and Cheltenham.

But Ben Pauling’s charge could find the company in Download The Planetsportbet App Mares Maiden Hurdle the far more conducive again in the second division.

The six-year-old is preferred over Kit’s Coty who produced a good effort when fourth in a maiden hurdle at Exeter.

It’s tough to ignore the claims of Dromlac Jury given he looked set to play a major role when falling at the last attempting his point-to-point in March.

After Many Days might feature from an each-way perspective.

Race 5 – INVINCIBLE NAO 9/4

INVINCIBLE NAO is backed to maintain Gary Moore’s fine run of form by landing the Read Harry Cobden’s Blog At PlanetSportBet Handicap Chase at Hereford.

The six-year-old did not exactly set the world alight after switching to West Sussex on the back of an easy victory at Auteuil, with a hefty price tag of €155,000.

However, there were some more encouraging signs during the second half of last season, with a placed effort at Huntingdon followed up by a decent staying-on fourth at Kempton.

Invincible Nao was nibbled at in the betting prior to his chasing debut in mid-November but looked in need of that outing, making some headway from the rear before not being knocked about late on.

There was a lot to like about his next effort at Lingfield later that month, though, when competitive throughout and finishing a close third behind Passing Well and Heva Rose.

That winner has since run well enough in a higher grade at Newbury and the second went one better in a valuable mares’ event at this venue next time out, so the form appears rock-solid.

NEWCASTLE

Race 5 – BYSTANDER 3/10

Karl Burke’s well-related BYSTANDER will be all the rage to complete a quick double in the Boost Your Acca At BetMGM Novice Stakes after bolting up a week ago.

Hopeful clearly had issues as not seen since making a promising debut when fourth at Newmarket in October 2022.

It’s interesting top connections have persisted with keeping her in training and she looks an obvious threat to the main selection.

Newcomer Golden Echo could feature if strong in the betting and Run Simba heads the remainder.

Race 7 – ROYAL PROSPEC 3/1

Royal Prospect was pulled up hurdling at Ayr last time. Will find this much more suitable as the three-time course winner produced a solid fourth-placed finish over 1m here in November and looks the most attractive proposition.

Stepping back up to 1m could pose no problems for Rum Runner who was a good fourth attempting 7f at this track.

It is tough to rule out True Nation among classified company based on ratings alone.

Retirement Beckons rates a live each-way hope.

Race 8 – ENDERMAN 8/1

ENDERMAN ran well enough at Southwell last month after a 107-day break to suggest he could be worth keeping on side.

Paul Midgley’s six-year-old has only won twice from 36 outings and is 0-13 on an artificial surface, but he has been placed five times at all-weather tracks.

Some of his best efforts have come at Gosforth Park and a mark of 58 looks manageable ahead of the first division of the BetUK. Home Of The Acca-Fenwa Handicap over six furlongs.

Race 9 – IGNAC LAMAR 4/1

IGNAC LAMAR ran on nicely to finish third over course and distance and can go a few spots better with this race likely set up nicely for him from a pace perspective.

Flash The Dash maintains winning course form and may give a bold bid having finished a good third tackling track and trip on his penultimate outing.

Carlton and Co finished fifth in the same course event the main selection ran third in and must be respected off this rating.

The Princes Poet completes the shortlist.