UK racing tips – Tuesday 19 March 2024

EXETER

Race 1 – STRATTON OAKMONT 4/1

STRATTON OAKMONT has been a model of consistency since joining Kayley Woollacott, posting a win at Southwell, three seconds and a third.

Ben Godfrey has been in the saddle for all bar one of those runs and the duo can again be there or thereabouts in the ‘Three Miles’ Handicap Hurdle.

Race 3 – RAFFLE TICKET 85/40

RAFFLE TICKET can defy a 4lb rise and double up in the Unibet Middle Distance Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase.

Mel Rowley’s charge now sits on a career-high perch of 137 at the age of 10 due to a consistent series of runs over the last couple of years, turning in just one disappointing effort in all of his completed starts.

That lacklustre effort came at the start of the current campaign, but Raffle Ticket has not looked back since, being beaten just a head the next time at Taunton before triumphing by a similarly narrow distance at Doncaster in January.

His Town Moor success has prompted another uplift but moved to veterans’ level from open company, he could still have the required extra to prevail here.

Race 5 – DESERT FORTUNE 15/8

DESERT FORTUNE kept on well when runner-up to hot favourite Bobbi’s Beauty at Leicester on her debut for Venetia Williams after a lengthy break and should now be spot on for the Join RacingTV Today Handicap Chase.

Lightonthewing scored contesting a 3m1f handicap chase in this grade at Wincanton and also has a big chance.

River Tyne showed ability at Plumpton two weeks back running second in a 3m2f handicap chase attempting this level and that form has worked out well so she makes for appeal.

Race 6 – GRAND ROI 11/4

GRAND ROI is a former Grade 2 winner. The eight-year-old has been running well in hunter chases this season including a strong second attempting a 2m5f novices hunters chase at Stratford last week, so will be a leading contender set to go one place better.

The main danger will come from Forest Chimes who found success in the same race last Monday at Stratford.

My Reprieve showed ability at Taunton managing a good third tackling a 2m7f hunters chase and will be in the mix along with Earl Of Desmond.

WETHERBY

Race 2 – RAFFLES WONDER 5/6

RAFFLES WONDER scored by 17 lengths last week at Hexham on testing ground attempting a similar level 2m novices limited handicap hurdle and will be a leading contender here.

Hide Out brings smart placed form including a Sedgefield third in a 2m1f handicap chase and is appealing.

Lone Soldier went well at Southwell among similar company in January making the frame posting a decent third.

Race 3 – CARRIGEEN CASTLE 8/11

CARRIGEEN CASTLE can hit the target in the Colin Hawkins (Jockey) Memorial Handicap Chase.

Winner of two of his five starts this season, he has placed on a further two occasions, including when chasing home Prairie Wolf at Catterick last time out.

He was running off a 10lb higher mark that day, having been hiked up for a previous 22-length victory, but he performed with real credit, having made a couple of jumping errors that would hardly have helped his cause.

Race 4 – DONY BOY 10/3

DONNY BOY has yet to get his head in front in five starts over fences, but his time could come in the Bella Coulson’s 50th Birthday Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

He had made steady progress last time out at Doncaster before a mistake checked his momentum and saw him have to settle for fourth.

Previously beaten just a head at Newcastle before Christmas, he clearly has ability and hopefully things will finally fall his way here.

Race 6 – WORLDWIDE FURY 7/2

The grey WORLDWIDE FURY profiles well on rules debut representing notable stable. Won a point-to-point in Ireland this time last year and finds an ideal opportunity.

Castle Ivers maintains a promising profile with a Southwell success preceding a decent third tackling a higher graded jumpers flat race at Lingfield. Rates highly.

Oak Grove posted a creditable fifth at Ascot over two miles in November. Improvement expected and could go close.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 1 – OPERATE 13/2

OPERATE made a pleasing debut in what looked a smart maiden last month and is worth following on the all-weather.

The winner and second, Native Approach and Calumet, are well-bred individuals, while third-placed Jolly Jack Tar has come out and won subsequently.

Operate was nearly six lengths adrift of the winner in fourth and a repeat of that could be good enough in the Best Racing Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Novice Stakes.

Race 3 – MARMADUKE LEMON 7/2

Marmaduke Lemon brings good placed form with a seven furlong novice runner-up effort here preceding a nice third at Newcastle tackling the trip. Improving and rates a leading chance.

Arcturian produced a winning debut in December outperforming massive odds to be a shock one length winner in a 1m novice event at Kempton and makes for appeal.

Shelbourne indicated promise last season including a Catterick second over six furlongs two starts ago and could be interesting on seasonal return.

Race 5 – BUNGLE BAY 33/10

BUNGLE BAY scored a course and distance classified event before a strong second attempting a six furlong handicap here last week, so will be in the mix again.

Bernie The Bear went well at Newcastle when second in this handicap grade over six furlongs and could go close again.

Split Evens also hold claims after posting a decent fifth contesting a one mile handicap at Chelmsford.

Race 7 – PITTSBURG 3/1

PITTSBURG travelled sweetly throughout when scoring at Kempton earlier this month and could be worth keeping on side in the concluding BetUK. It’s Where The UK Bets Handicap.

Although a 14/1 chance on that occasion, the eight-year-old had previously shown promise when fourth at Chelmsford after switching back to the Flat following a successful stint over hurdles, so there seems nothing flukey about the winning performance.