UK racing tips – Tuesday 17 October 2023

HUNTINGDON

Race 1 – NORMAN FLETCHER 8/11

NORMAN FLETCHER looked useful attempting jumpers flat races last season.

Scored by eight and a half under a penalty at Ludlow most recently and is taken to make a winning hurdles debut.

Eagle Of The Glen could provide stern opposition. Steady progression last term culminated in a win tackling two miles at Hexham.

Penalised for that success but brings an experience edge against his rivals.

Largy Ray beat a subsequent winner tackling a jumper’s flat race last start and shouldn’t be ruled out.

Race 2 – GREAT D’ANGE 13/2

The strong-travelling GREAT D’ANGE defied top weight scoring on stable debut last month.

A winner over course and distance from an adjusted mark last season and has a solid chance.

Tedwin Hills finished behind Great D’Ange last time and receives a swing in the weights and might have more to offer tackling fences.

No Anxiety missed last season but is well treated on old form. Could strip fitter for a recent hurdle outing.

Race 5 – PARC D’AMOUR 4/1

PARC D’AMOUR was third over course and distance last outing in May and remains unexposed. Open to further progress off this mark.

Course winner Enthused bounced back from a rare disappointment to win at Ludlow six days ago.

Secured three wins the past four outings and escapes a penalty for latest success.

John Betjeman managed to win or place last six hurdle starts. Warmed up for this with a good showing on the Flat.

Six-time winner Appreciate is interesting and making debut for Dan Skelton.

Race 6 – MASTER MALACHY 7/1

MASTER MALACHY has had a wind operation since two disappointing efforts in the summer and can hopefully now recapture his former sparkle in the Racing TV Handicap Chase.

Donald McCain’s seven-year-old claimed four wins in 2022, including one at this venue, and is back down to a mark 3lb lower than his last victory.

LEICESTER

Race 2 – PRIMO LARA 2/5

PRIMO LARA made a good first impression when fourth behind Edge Of Blue at Yarmouth and is backed to build on that with a bold showing in the British EBF Maiden Stakes.

Jayne Chapple-Hyam’s half-brother to decent performers Statement and Self Belief was a 425,000 guineas purchase and attracted plenty of support in the market prior to his debut.

Race 3 – A DAAY IN DEVON 11/8

ADAAY IN DEVON may have bitten off more than she could chew when fifth in a valuable Goodwood contest last time out but is worth sticking with on her previous form in the British EBF 40th Anniversary Fillies’ Conditions Stakes.

Rod Millman’s filly had given the Horniwinks Racing Syndicate plenty of fun by completing a hat-trick of convincing victories when storming home by over four lengths at Carlisle and has established she likes plenty of cut underfoot.

Race 4 – CHRIS’S MATE 11/8

CHRIS’S MATE was just denied on handicap debut at Yarmouth and a bold bid is anticipated.

Bellestarr has only made the frame twice from ten starts however this is a moderate race in which she can make her presence felt.

Weston Court and Tres Chic should enter the calculations.

Race 7 – KING OF FURY 4/6

KING OF FURY placed both starts to date including on racecourse debut over course and distance and should be thereabouts.

Cervetto could be watched for any moves in the market returning from a substantial break representing new yard.

The Andrew Balding-trained Royal Jet reappears from over a year off the track and cannot be confidently dismissed.

Top Button is a gelding out of four-time G1 winner Starspangledbanner and shouldn’t be ignored.

NEWCASTLE

Race 2 – VASLAD 7/1

VASLAD is forgiven for a disappointing effort at Newbury last time out and looks worth another chance in the BetUK. It’s Where The UK Bets Handicap.

Harry and Roger Charlton’s charge had previously won a shade cosily in a highly competitive Racing League contest at Southwell, which featured a number of rivals that ran well either immediately before or since.

The four-year-old was then made favourite for the Autumn Cup but simply failed to handle ground officially described as heavy, but which his connections felt had become tacky.

That performance was just too bad to be true and getting back on an artificial surface can help Valsad to resume what had looked a promising upward curve.

Race 4 – SUPREME TENACITY 9/4

SUPREME TENACITY was having his first run on the all-weather when placing ten days ago at Wolverhampton. A big run is likely down in trip.

Socialise is without a placing in nine starts but delivered better displays recently with back-to-back fourth-placed finishes at this course. He takes on a race of no great depth and could make his presence felt.

Goldmine Girl is hard to recommend unless proving popular in the market, while Mister Gan may improve for the fitting of a tongue tie.

Race 6 – STAR SHIELD 12/1

STAR SHIELD has been dropping down the ratings and now goes into the Bet £10 Get £40 At BetMGM Handicap over a mile on a favourable mark compared to wins at Ayr and Wetherby earlier this term.

David O’Meara’s eight-year-old gelding can also boast a couple of victories at this course among his nine career strikes and has been a marvellous servant for his connections.

Race 9 – BLACKCURRENT 11/4

Course specialist BLACKCURRENT gained his sixth win at Newcastle and second tackling this trip last month.

Was just denied eighteen days ago over a reduced distance, but should be in the mix again.

Aclaim To Flame makes her second start for a new yard and looks set to improve on a fourth of ten effort at Catterick.

Wrenegade Lad and Guest List hold place chances at best.