UK racing tips – Tuesday 16 April 2024

NEWMARKET

Race 1 – HALLASAN 67/100

HALLASAN is one of two interesting Godolphin newcomers in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes and it must be noted that William Buick prefers this half-brother to four winners, with Group Three juvenile scorer Al Raya among those siblings.

Race 2 – TEES SPIRIT 17/2

Adrian Nicholls is already off the mark for the turf season, which bodes well for the chances of TEES SPIRIT in the It’s Never Ordinary At bet365 Handicap.

After a brilliant campaign in 2022, in which he won five times, including the Dash at Epsom and a Listed race in Ireland, he went winless last season.

As a result, his mark dropped from 104 to 91, so if he has got his mojo back, he should go well.

Race 3 – GRAND KARAT 7/2

GRAND KARAT impressed on more than one occasion last season.
Fifth of 10 on his debut at Newbury when 33/1, he was placed on his next two outings at Haydock and Kempton, latterly when a close second to the now 102-rated Orne.

Tom Marquand, fresh from another successful stint in Australia, is a notable booking and the JRA Handicap looks his off a mark of just 80.

Race 4- SLIPOFTHEPEN 9/2

SLIPOFTHEPEN was a winner of his first two starts before disappointing in a Listed event during May last year. Returns from a lengthy break but remains with potential.

Daysofourlives won two of his past three attempts including a success in latest, so could get involved.

Race 6 – KIKKULI 2/1

KIKKULI is always going to struggle to live up to his exalted pedigree but he can kick-start his three-year-old season with a win in the Alex Scott Maiden Stakes.

He is by the super-sire Kingman out of the excellent broodmare Kind, who produced none other than Frankel.

That makes Kikkuli a half-brother to the likes of Sir Henry Cecil’s great horse, Champion Stakes winner Noble Mission and Bullet Train.

Now trained solely by Harry Charlton, as his father Roger has retired, Kikkuli caught the eye on debut when second in a November Newmarket novice contest.

Had he any other pedigree, it would have been judged perhaps more favourably, but the unbeaten winner subsequently went to France to score in Listed company and the third has come out and won, so the form is red-hot.

NEWCASTLE

Race 1 – MIDNIGHT LION 15/10

MIDNIGHT LION returned to form winning at this track by 2.75L finding plenty for pressure and is the one to beat.

Gastronomy finished second over course and distance. In good form and expected to go well again.

Extinction just failed to reel in the winner at Southwell tackling 1m4f. Fresher following that effort.

Heatherdown Hero failed to feature on previous start. Did well prior and rates a top chance.

Race 4 – DRYHOLAEY 83/100

DRYHOLAY remains unbeaten after two starts. Could prove a class above the rest in the Download The Racecourse App Raceday Ready Novice Stakes.

Indicate broke his maiden tag over five furlongs at Southwell last time out. May yet improve and score again.

Queen’s Guard returns from eight months off the track. Concluded previous term with a win and could resume with a victory.

Race 6 – BROTHER DAVE 9/2

BROTHER DAVE maintains fantastic form. Recorded back-to-back wins and can make it a treble here in the Tips For Every Race At Raceday-Ready.Com Handicap.

Absolute Dream may follow up on a second at the track last time out and a bold showing expected.

Wallaroo isn’t always the easiest to get right but did perform well at Wolverhampton. In contention if on a going day.

Rockin Rosa defied odds to finish third at Southwell. Likely to play a prominent role once more.

Race 8 – BRUMMELL 4/1

The best bet of the meeting is Julie Camacho’s BRUMMELL in division two of the Download The Racecourse App Raceday Ready Handicap.

After a promising debut, he ran down the field twice but that meant he was able to start life handicapping off a lowly mark of 60.

Sent to Southwell, his chance appeared over before the start when he was drawn 12 of 12 on the six-furlong round course. However, he never saw another rival in making all.

That suggested he was well ahead of his mark and a 5lb rise should not stop him following up if he is ready to go on his first outing for 144 days.