UK racing tips – Tuesday 25 July 2023

MUSSELBURGH

Race 1 – BRAES OF DUNE 33/1

SCRATCHED

It could be a good afternoon for jockey Paul Mulrennan as he partners Jim Goldie’s Braes Of Doune in the opening Support Musselburgh Athletic FC Classified Stakes.

A winner at Ayr last month, he arrives in good form and although the step up in trip will test every ounce of stamina, this looks a very winnable assignment.

Race 2 – ELUSIVE EMPIRE 23/20

Mulrennan can quickly add to his tally aboard Archie Watson’s ELUSIVE EMPIRE in the British Stallion Studs EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes.

The son of Territories produced a career best when dropped back to seven furlongs at Salisbury and racing over that distance once again, can build on that second /to open his account at the fourth attempt.

Race 4 – INDICATION SPIRIT 7/4

INDICATION SPIRIT blitzed the opposition at Musselburgh earlier this month and is poised to double her tally at the track in the Celebrating Musselburgh Festival 2023 Nursery Handicap.

Following a solid showing to finish second at Hamilton on debut, where the daughter of Magna Grecia made some eyecatching headway from a slow start, Karl Burke’s youngster headed across Scotland to the Edinburgh track for her second start and never saw a rival as she blazed a trail from the front over the minimum five furlongs.

She showed plenty of tactical speed over this sharp sprint track and that combined with a more than adequate turn of foot makes her the one to beat in this nursery handicap.

Race 6 – BARROLO – 13/10

BARROLO came up just short as he went in search for the hat-trick at Catterick last time but, returned to further, this looks an ideal opportunity for the Havana Grey gelding to regain the winning thread.

Cuban Rock is feared most raised 4lb for his recent course success, while first-time cheekpieces could elicit some improvement from the Liam Bailey-trained Keeponbelieving.

SOUTHWELL

Race 1 – AL ZARAQAAN 4/7

AL ZARAQAAN seems to have plenty in his favour having won all three starts over fences.

He does need to be ridden patiently and has an added 4lb from the handicapper, but this looks like another decent opportunity. Impulsive One was best of these over hurdles and warrants plenty of respect on his chasing bow.

He might get the better of Valentino Dancer, who finally switches to the larger obstacles, in the fight for second.

Race 3 – SUNDAY SOLDIER 4/1

In a competitive contest Manimole seems likely to go well upped in trip after coming home second at Uttoxeter over two miles, while there may be little to choose between Ma Belle Noire and the improving River Of Joy.

All three have serious chances, but if SUNDAY SOLDIER takes to hurdles she could shock them all.

Third in a Bangor bumper last time, she gets 7lb from the previous winners here and is bred to do better over obstacles.

Race 5 – IMPERIAL DATA 13/8

A switch to handicap company should do the trick for IMPERIAL DATA over the jumps at Southwell.

Successful in the Irish point-to-point sphere in the spring, the six-year-old has finished second in a couple of novice hurdles at Hexham since joining Rebecca Menzies.

He looked likely to take top honours on his most recent visit to Northumberland, but an awkward leap at the final flight gave odds-on favourite Champagnesocialist a sniff and he took full advantage.

With a step up from two and a half to three miles expected to suit, the Menzies runner looks feasibly treated off a mark of 103 ahead of the Sponsorshipbranding@Signsolutions.org Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

Race 6 – METHODTOTHEMAGIC 13/2

METHODTOTHEMAGIC has a good chance to prove that her impressive last time out course and distance success wasn’t a fluke and a 9lb higher mark looks fair given the winning margin that day.

Clean Getaway is consistent and also warrants consideration now that he has been cut some slack by the handicapper, while the recent Worcester-scorer Bensini and Coconut Twist are also taken seriously.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 1 – BREGUET BOY 7/2

Serena Brotherton and the Easterbys have an imperious record in races of this nature and Point Louise looks set to play a prominent role despite having to carry top weight.

However, the one that appeals most on these terms is BREGUET BOY, who exploited a drop in the ratings courtesy of a brace of wins earlier in the campaign. He is a previous course winner and a highly tempting proposition on debut for Archie Watson.

Inexplicable and Hellavapace are others to consider.

Race 2 – BELLE STORM 8/1

The best bet at Wolverhampton could be BELLE STORM in the At The Races App Expert Tips EBF Fillies’ Restricted Novice Stakes.

James Tate’s youngster has made the podium on both starts so far, including over course and distance on debut.

She raced keenly when fading in the final 110 yards at Beverley last time when third behind a winner who has subsequently franked the form.

That came over seven and a half furlongs, but this is back at seven and she can put her experience of the track and trip to good use to open her account.

Race 4 – BOMB SQUAD 9/2

It looks only a matter of time before John Mackie’s BOMB SQUAD blasts his way back on to the scoresheet and the consistent operator could be the answer to the In the Follow @attheraces On Twitter Handicap.

Second in his last three starts, the five-year-old is just 2lb higher than when beaten a length on his penultimate outing and just a 1lb higher than when also hitting the bar at Newcastle over six furlongs most recently.

Race 8 – BATTLE POINT 17/2

Red Walls drops a class after some poor efforts but he has won here three times, with two off higher marks. Preference, though, is for BATTLE POINT.

His last win was off this mark and although he has raced three times since, he returns from wind surgery here and may bounce back to form.

Of the others, it could be worth considering Yaahobby judged on his recent placed form.

CHELMSFORD

Race 1 – BUNGLE BAY 3/1

BUNGLE BAY earned a narrow Wolverhampton success two weeks ago and he does not look overburdened by a subsequent 3lb rise in the handicap.

Joe Leavy gave the four-year-old a positive ride from the front that day and, berthed to attack in stall one here, he could repeat the dose.

A winner in classified company last time, Kodi Dancer merits respect, while others to note include Jumira Bridge and handicap-debutant Dunmore East.

Race 4 – SEMSER 14/1

SEMSER looks the one to be on. The six-year-old remains unbeaten here after two wins over course and distance, the latest of which came in May off just 2lb lower, and he may get back to winning ways returning to the all-weather.

Wild Hurricane sports cheekpieces on only his fifth start and could also go well if the headgear has a positive effect, while Totnes is another to be interested in.

Race 5 – ALEXANDRETTA 11/8

Atlantic Dream was beaten a long way when third on his debut at Nottingham, but the three-year-old did look as if he would improve considerably for the experience.

Arctic Mountain is a newcomer to note being related to numerous winners and he is worthy of a market inspection, as is ALEXANDRETTA.

A beaten favourite over seven furlongs at Salisbury recently, the extra furlong and return to the all-weather might see her get off the mark.

Race 6 – WILDE AND DANDY 4/1

Inverinate has been running well of late with a success here over seven furlongs in June followed by two second-placed finishes.

He can go well, but a chance is taken on WILDE AND DANDY, who strolled home in a similar race at Doncaster in June before a sixth at Newmarket.

Daarree is also of interest having been gelded since his last run and with a first-time visor added.