UK Racing Tips – Friday 7 April 2023

NEWCASTLE 

Race 1 – Arabian Storm 11/4 

Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy should also be on the mark with Arabian Storm in the opening TalkSPORT Burradon Stakes at Newcastle. He finished second in a Newmarket maiden towards the end of last term, with the third, fourth and fifth all subsequent scorers to give plenty of depth to the form. Balding sent the beautifully-bred Arabian Storm to Gosforth Park to open his account last month, winning as a 1/4 favourite should in a seven-furlong contest. Moving up a to mile in Listed company should not be an issue and this 2000 Guineas contender could book his Newmarket ticket here.

Race 3 – BERKSHIRE ROCCO 7/4

Berkshire Rocco can also strike for Balding and Murphy in the Betuk All-Weather Marathon Championships. He snapped a losing streak that stretched back well over two years when upped to two miles to win a qualifier for this event at Southwell in January, while he lost little in defeat to Earl Of Tyrone at Kempton on his subsequent run.

Race 4- FOREST OF DEAN 13/8

Forest Of Dean is the pick in the highlight of Good Friday’s action, the £200,000 BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Championship. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the Godolphin stalwart landed a qualifier over the course and 10-furlong distance in January before heading for the Winter Derby at Lingfield as one of three contenders for the Clarehaven team. He proved no match for now three-times Dubai Turf scorer Lord North, but he surprisingly also had to give best to reopposing stablemate Harrovian, who set the early gallop and held on for fourth while Forest Of Dean was sixth.

Race 5 – POSITIVE 7/2

POSITIVE can spring a minor surprise in the Spreadex All-Weather Mile Championships Conditions Stakes. He is on a hat-trick after wins at Kempton and Southwell and is nearly back to the kind of rating he achieved in 2020 when fourth at Group One level.

Race 6 – MANAAFITH 1/1

It is hard to look past Manaafith, who beat the boys in Listed company over a mile at Lingfield. A drop in trip may not be enough to stop the Roger Varian-trained filly adding to her tally because she accounted for Aramis Grey over this distance at Southwell on New Year’s Day. Queen Aminatu progressed at a rate of knots towards the back end of 2022 and is feared most on her return to the fray. Aramis Grey has held her form since that Southwell defeat at the hands of the selection, and saw off last week’s impressive Cammidge Trophy scorer Vadream at Lingfield.

Race 7 – VADREAM 4/1

Vadream landed last week’s Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster, an effort which sets her up perfectly for the BetUK-backed final of the Sprint division. Others to note include Annaf who has taken his game to a new level this winter and completed a hat-trick when keeping on strongly to land Listed honours at Lingfield. Diligent Harry was denied by the selection at Lingfield and after then defying top weight in handicap company here, struggled in France. He still merits consideration, as does Mums Tipple.

LINGFIELD

Race 4- ADEB 11/2

Adeb goes for gold in the BetUK All-Weather Vase Sprint Handicap at Lingfield. He successfully stepped up to seven furlongs to win at Newcastle on his most recent start, but has proved equally as adept over six furlongs this year, winning at Newcastle back in January.