Thursday’s UK racing tips come your way from meetings at Newbury and Ludlow on 8 November 2023.
NEWBURY
Race 1 – BRENTFORD HOPE 2/1
BRENTFORD HOPE could have more to offer with hurdles this season. Probably would have finished closer than sixth in the G3 Swinton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock if jumping cleaner down the straight. This represents a drop in class upon return. Consider.
WHIZZ KID won a Class Three handicap hurdle with plenty to spare at Wetherby and may go well racing off this 6lbs higher mark.
BROOKIE scored on stable debut at Fontwell. May appreciate conditions. Others to note include CASTEL GANDOLFO and GRIVETANA with the latter resuming after a wind operation.
Race 3 – THEATRE MAN 6/1
A competitive novices’ handicap chase. THEATRE MAN looked a staying chaser in the making producing an all-the-way success in a novice hurdle at Cheltenham in April. Steps up in distance and now chasing could prove well-treated on first handicap outing.
NEON MOON returned to action with a commanding handicap chase victory at Ludlow and must be respected off a 7lbs higher mark.
KNOWSLEY ROAD disappointed attempting a handicap hurdle here in March however did show some decent form in novice hurdles. There is plenty of scope for progress now switching to fences. Worcester chase debut winner MY BOBBY DAZZLER cannot be ignored.
Race 6 – NORTHERN BOUND 3/1
NORTHERN BOUND can come out on top in this open-looking handicap chase. The Ben Pauling-trained runner won his sole outing over course and distance and could go close on the back of a decent third-placed finish over 2 ⅜m at Wetherby last month.
KANDOO KID encountered a potentially smart chaser when runner-up delivering first fences outing at Warwick. Finished well-beaten back in second that day but may come on for the experience.
RAFFLE TICKET, looked to be going well when falling three out at Uttoxeter last time. Might be prominent if none the worse for that mishap. BELARGUS and KILLER CLOWN look live each-way chances.
Race 8 – HISTRIONIC 2/1
HISTRIONIC sold for a fair price at the Goffs Punchestown NH Sale 2023 on the back of his Irish point-to-point success. This gelded son of Walk In The Park looks good on paper and can make a winning debut under rules.
Fellow Irish point-to-point winner RYAN’S ROCKET may go well for a stable who does well in jumpers flat contests. Newcomer GROOVY BLUE makes for appeal representing a yard going well this season.
Others to include for the placings are NAVAJO INDY and I’M A LUMBERJACK.
LUDLOW
Race 1 – RAMO 7/2
RAMO maintains a consistent profile. Scored twice last season including at Plumpton posting a 3L victory tackling a higher level 3 ¹⁄₁₆m handicap hurdle there in March three outings ago. Leading player.
REGAL RENAISSANCE ran well here finishing 4.25L second attempting a course and distance mares handicap hurdle. Main danger.
CALL ME TARA showed ability at Worcester in September managing third in a 2 ⁷⁄₁₆m handicap hurdle. Thereabouts having placed here twice previously.
THE BOMBER LISTON cannot be dismissed representing top connections.
Race 4 – FLORENCEANDTHEMACHINE 9/4
FLORENCETHEMACHINE represents a top stable. Showed plenty of promise on rules debut last month when second in a 2 ⁵⁄₁₆m novices hurdle at Chepstow. Progress likely raised in trip and rates a leading contender.
BETWEEN WATERS posted a creditable sixth at Ascot first up in February contesting a 2m jumpers flat race. Represents top trainer and improvement is expected.
GIRLS IN SKIRTS placed third on debut at Newbury in March tackling a 2m jumpers flat event. Holds claims now hurdling.
LILTING VERSE drops in grade and brings hurdle experience. Consider.
Race 7 – ECEPARTI 9/4
ECEPARTI found success on seasonal return by an impressive 29L at Chepstow attempting a similar journey in this handicap chase grade. Top chance.
ROBYNDZONE won tackling this standard at Hereford before showing plenty of ability again when 1.75L second in the grade at Ffos Las during April. Respect.
JAYTEE scored twice at Southwell earlier this year and may go close.
LORD SPARKY managed a good second at Huntingdon in this grade during April and is one to note.
Race 8 – CARVED IN STONE 4/1
CARVED IN STONE profiles well on paper. This three-year-old is a half-brother to five winners on the flat. Rates as a rare runner in this sphere for the stable and holds appeal.
GIDDYUPADINGDONG made a winning debut a month ago running 0.5L clear in a 1 ¾m jumpers flat race at Huntingdon. Main danger.
MARIA’S FLAME is an interesting newcomer for a notable yard.
Could feature alongside LIGHTNING FLASH who warrants a market check.
