Thursday’s UK racing tips come your way from meetings at Wincanton and Newcastle and on 7 March 2024.
WINCANTON
Race 2 – WINDANCE 3/1
WINDANCE will look to bounce back to form in the Newt In Somerset Handicap Chase following an unfortunate return to action last time out.
The nine-year-old, who was returning after 354 days, was eight lengths clear before he hit the last fence and unseated jockey Chad Bament at Plumpton last month.
Windance won over course and distance under Sam Twiston-Davies in March 2023 and they are paired once more as Anthony Honeyball targets another victory for the gelding.
Race 3 – TWYFORD’S DIAMOND 4/6
TWYFORD’S DIAMOND drops in class as she looks for her first win at the sixth attempt in the Women Investors Network Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Ben Pauling’s five-year-old was in touch with the leaders for a long way as she claimed third in a Class Three at Market Rasen last month, with regular jockey Ben Jones on board, and a 2lb drop in the ratings can aid her cause, especially now down a level as well.
Race 4 – MADAKET 15/8
MADAKET showed plenty of ability at Kempton finishing second among this handicap hurdle company over 2m5f. Back up in journey and rates highly.
Burrows Park handles heavy ground well including a smart second tackling a higher graded 3m handicap hurdle at Chepstow three runs ago and is appealing.
Sporty Jim could go close after a good second attempting this handicap hurdle standard at Market Rasen over 2m7f.
Paricolor was a good runner-up at Fontwell on Boxing Day contesting 3m2f and holds claims with Harry Cobden in the seat.
Race 5 – ROBBER’S BRIDGE 9/4
ROBBER’S BRIDGE brings solid placed form with a good course third in the grade before a neck second among this company on testing ground at Leicester over 2m during January and is a leading contender.
Guivinec took a step forward at Taunton finishing fifth in a 2m3f novices hurdle and could be a threat.
Orange Diamond delivered multiple wins when hurdling in France. Fell in a Hereford 2m5f handicap chase last month, but is likely to enjoy a return to hurdles.
Daany has Cobden in the saddle and placed second attempting a course and distance novices limited handicap hurdle in January three runs ago. Not to be discounted.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 – LAWMNS BLIS 10/3
LAWMANS BLIS brings strong form with a smart second at Southwell over 1m3f preceding a head success in this handicap grade at Wolverhampton tackling 1m6f.
Desert Quest did well in a course and distance handicap finishing second among this company, so should be added to the shortlist.
Super Stars could also be in the mix after posting a good third behind Desert Quest contesting a track and trip handicap.
Race 2 – INISHERIN 8/11
INISHERIN should build on his impressive debut and is well-fancied for the Win £2,000,000 With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Novice Stakes.
The Kevin Ryan colt belied his 50-1 odds as he was beaten by just half a length behind Bellum Justum at Newmarket in September and will be much shorter here.
Race 5 – BLUE VIRTUE 5/2
BLUE VIRTUE is fancied to break her winning duck in the Stay Golden With BetMGM Safer Gambling Handicap.
The Roger Varian filly finished third and second respectively in her first two starts before dropping down in class last time out.
The three-year-old could only secure minor honours on that occasion, but Spiritual Pursuit – who finished ahead of her in second – has progressed nicely since, so she is a contender to go close once again.
Race 7 – RETIREMENT BECKONS 3/1
RETIREMENT BECKONS found success by 1.25L attempting a course and distance classified event last Friday and has a big chance of scoring again.
Ana Emaraaty did well in the same race here when runner-up that day. Has been going well in recent outings and could be thereabouts again.
Copper Mountain was also in that contest finishing a close fourth and has every chance of building on that effort.
