UK racing tips – Tuesday 30 January 2024

CHEPSTOW

Race 2- CASTLEFORT 6/5

CASTLEFORT looks a horse with plenty of potential and is taken to come out on top in the Hozier Live In July Junior “National Hunt” Hurdle.

Jane Williams’ charge was 17 lengths clear of the third when runner-up at this course on his racecourse debut behind Balboa, who has since gone on to compete in much better company.

The French import still seemed far from the finished article when rallying late on to edge out Ithaca’s Arrow at Sandown in testing conditions, form which has been franked by the well-beaten third and fourth scoring since.

Castelfort has been given a couple of months off to develop further and the feeling is that connections believe there is still lots of improvement to come with this sure-fire future chaser.

Race 3 – HASTON CLERMONT 7/2

HASTON CLERMONT is fancied to complete a hat-trick for Noel Williams and Jonathan Burke in the Chepstow Summer Sessions Handicap Chase.

After hinting at ability in point-to-point, bumper and hurdles events, he has really begun to blossom since being put over fences and upped in trip.

The seven-year-old won with far more in hand than the official margins suggest at both Lingfield and Wincanton and, although now 11lb higher than his first success, there is every chance he is still at least one step ahead of the handicapper.

Race 4 – SUPREMELY WEST 9/2

SUPREMELY WEST does not seem harshly treated for his first step out of novice company in the Cuffe And Taylor Handicap Hurdle.

A three-time bumper winner, the son of Westerner started off this campaign by scoring at Carlisle and Sedgefield over timber before a double penalty proved too much when second to Bugise Seagull at Southwell.

His conqueror that day is held in high regard by Charlie Longsdon, so the form looks solid.

Race 5 – AUTORISED SPEED 6/4

AUTHORISED SPEED was just below top class in bumpers and over hurdles and can make it third time lucky tackling bigger obstacles in the Live Music In Summer 2024 Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase.

Gary Moore’s charge took a tumble at the second-last when still ahead at Ascot and may just have suffered a hangover from that experience when third at Plumpton, where he made several mistakes.

Connections could have switched him back to hurdles for a confidence booster, but reports suggest he has always schooled well at home, so keep the faith for now.

NEWCASTLE

Race 2 – LEWA HOUSE 10/1

LEWA HOUSE is below the mark he won from at Hexham last season and ran well to finish second on heavy ground at Ayr four weeks ago and has a good chance.

Rickety Gate has fallen steadily in the weights this term and finished second tackling 3m1/4f at Musselburgh two runs ago.

Secret Secret went up 8.8lb for winning by 14 lengths at Kelso in November. Held only appearance since but is 2.2lb lower again.

Gine Sacre returns from a long absence but makes some appeal based on the pick of her French form.

Race 4 – FLORIDA DREAMS 4/9

Nicky Richards will be keen to get FLORIDA DREAMS back on track in the Download The Quinnbet App Novices’ Hurdle.

A Grade Two bumper winner at Aintree last April, he got off the mark over timber at Ayr last month when gamely wearing down Phantomofthepoints, with subsequent scorer Joshua Des Flos back in third.

The six-year-old faced a tough task when returning to Liverpool for a red-hot Grade One contest on Boxing Day and was not disgraced, despite being beaten by a fair distance in fifth.

Florida Dreams has been crying out for this step up to two and a half miles and can make his class count in lesser company.

Race 5- READYSTEADYBEAU 11/4

READYSTEADYBEAU could hardly have been more convincing when making all at Ayr last time out, justifying strong support in the betting ring by jumping superbly and galloping on enthusiastically from the front.

A 7lb uplift means Lucinda Russell’s charge must improve again, but the eight-year-old now appears to be hitting his peak and appeals in the Quinnbet Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase.

Race 6 – GOLDEN GLANCE 2/1

GOLDEN GLANCE was fully 19 lengths clear of the third when chasing home the well-treated and highly regarded Cherie D’Am at Aintree.

It is frustrating that this likeable sort picked up a 5lb rise for that effort but she still gets the nod in the Quinnbet.com Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.

SOUTHWELL

Race 1 – BLUEBOTTLE BLUE 5/1

The William Haggas-trained BLUEBOTTLE BLUE has improved recently at Newcastle AW when a head second in a lower class handicap over this trip.

Has a leading chance on that form and even more so with Tom Marquand in the saddle.

Soames Forsyte found success in a course and distance handicap when dead-heating prior to a neck victory at this level at Wolverhampton and should be respected.

King Of York ran well here three weeks back when a close third tackling a higher grade track and journey handicap, so will be in the mix.

Yorkstone dead-heated with Soames Forsyte at this venue last month, so stick on the shortlist.

Race 4 – SMOKY MOUNTAIN 10/3

SMOKY MOUNTAIN is fancied to continue his fine run of form in the Best Racing Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Handicap.

After hacking up in a maiden at short odds, the son of Frankel was an unlucky second on his handicap bow but quickly gained compensation when staying on strongly to score at Wolverhampton earlier this month.

Charlie Fellowes now steps him up from seven furlongs to a mile and everything suggests he will relish that move.

Race 6 – BACK TOMORROW 15/8

BACK TOMORROW scored by 1 length in a course and distance handicap before a second at this level at Kempton over this journey. In strong form and rates a leading chance.

Revolucion won in this handicap company three outings back over this trip at Wolverhampton and posted a fair fifth there tackling seven furlongs a month ago.

Kath’s Toyboy placed third contesting a seven furlong handicap at this venue three runs ago. Could feature.

Zargun ran with credit here when fifth over course and distance. Each-way hope.

Race 8 DISTINCTION 6/1

DISTINCTION found success by a neck in this handicap class at Wolverhampton two weeks back. Racing well and rates as the top selection.

Femme Patronne showed plenty of ability at Newcastle when a strong handicap second tackling 1m2f. Can go close once more.

Hazel Bear ran well at Wolverhampton Wolverhampton when runner-up behind the top pick and has a good chance.

Trusty Scout placed second over this trip at Kempton two runs ago has has claims.