Thursday’s UK racing tips come your way from Thursday’s racing coming your way from Haydock on 4 July 2024.
HAYDOCK
Race 2 – SECRET MISTRAL 9/4
SECRET MISTRAL returned from 159 days off with a smooth course and distance success under this apprentice. The pair may prove up to completing a double.
Nogo’s Dream was collared late wearing first-time cheekpieces over six furlongs at Lingfield last time. Must enter calculations back down tackling the minimum trip.
Fahrenheit Seven is unexposed. Warrants respect racing off the same mark as when third on handicap debut at Ffos Las.
RACE 4 – GRANT WOOD 13/2
GRENT WOOD can complete a Haydock sprint double in the Supalite Group Handicap.
The five-year-old joined Paul Midgley last term after the retirement of previous trainer Eric Alston, but he had only a couple of turf starts before a lengthy break that saw him return with a fair third on the all-weather in December.
Grant Wood quickly notched up two wins in that sphere, which saw his mark rocket from 68 to 80, with a run of four lacklustre efforts snapped when he emerged victorious at this track last month.
Off 77 that day, Grant Wood clearly relished quicker ground after meeting with soft conditions previously and a 3lb ease in the weights was likely another factor in his return to form.
That 3lb is added again this time but with his confidence riding high, and given the comfortable nature of his recent win, Grant Wood can yet defy a career-high mark.
Race 5 – SIR PAUL RAMSEY 4/1
SIR PAUL RAMSEY should be able to build on a debut third as he tackles the ODL Queen Of The North EBF Novice Stakes.
A half-brother to three winners, including multiple Group-race victor Sandrine, Sir Paul Ramsey is bred to stay a bit further as a son of Sea The Moon and he certainly kept on well to be beaten less than two lengths at Doncaster last month.
Given he hung across the track a little in the finish, the previous experience should help him here and he certainly appears to have enough ability to hit the target.
Race 6 – SMOULDERING 7/2
SMOULDERING ran on well getting off the mark over seven furlongs at Kempton at the second time of asking. This opening mark may well underestimate her and the Clive Cox trained filly can make a successful handicap debut.
The progressive Kode Secret bids for a hat-trick following wins tackling this trip at Catterick and Redcar.
The top-weight Mostar Dreams scored by a neck over this distance at Carlisle last outing and cannot be ignored.
Mereside Madness maintains good form and is another to consider.
