Get all of Tuesday’s UK racing tips from the meetings taking place at Thirsk, Fontwell and Southwell on 4 April 2023.
THIRSK
Race 1 – LIBERALIST 4/5
On the Flat at Thirsk, Michael Bell’s LIBERALIST should not be perturbed by soft ground in the day’s opener. She is from a decent family but is crucially by Pivotal, whose offspring thrive with cut in the ground. Liberalist has run twice already and both times very respectably in Newmarket maidens. On debut she was second, admittedly beaten nine lengths – but the winner, Bright Diamond, was subsequently third in the Fillies’ Mile to the now-retired Commissioning. She was not seen again until the end of October, when the maidens were especially strong given the very quick ground through the summer. Liberalist finished third of 13 to a very impressive William Haggas newcomer in Orchid Bloom. Neither of the first two have run since so it is hard to know what the form is worth, but those experiences should stand her in good stead.
Race 2 – GEMINI STAR 4/6
Another who should go in the ground is Alice Haynes’ GEMINI STAR in this maiden stakes. She made her debut on heavy ground at Haydock last season, finishing second with the winner going on to run in a Listed race next time out. Haynes made great strides last year and even had a runner at the Breeders’ Cup meeting, so expect her to go from strength to strength this season.
Race 7 – FEN TIGER 5/2
FEN TIGER ended last season in great form and should he pick up from where he left off in the penultimate event at Thirsk, he is the one to beat. He was not out of the first two in his last six appearances, winning three, rising 12lb in the process. They were all in either apprentice or amateur jockey races and this is in open company, but Frederick Larson, an excellent 3lb claimer who won on him over course and distance last season, has been booked.
FONTWELL
Race 3 – SOMESPRING SPECIAL 5/4
Anthony Honeyball is enjoying a good end to the season and his SOMESPRING SPECIAL looks to have been found a good opportunity in this novices’ handicap hurdle at Fontwell. Something looked amiss on her debut when she jumped markedly out to her right early on and was eventually pulled up. She was given plenty of time to get over that experience before being sent off an unconsidered 250/1 chance at Wincanton in February, where she showed up well for a long way before fading to finish fifth of 10. Again not much was expected last time out back at Wincanton when 33/1, but she was only beaten four lengths by Outlaw Peter who subsequently bolted up at Kempton the day after Cheltenham finished. Should she come forward again, an opening mark of 105 looks workable.
Race 5 – FLINTARA 15/8
FLINTARA is on excellent terms with herself and can register a fourth win in five outings in this handicap hurdle test. It took Richard Bandey’s eight-year-old 14 attempts to get off the mark but the penny has well and truly dropped with her now. Her first victory came at Uttoxeter last February from a basement mark of 89 but was sent off favourite next time out at Southwell, she finished last. Clearly something was amiss because she was not seen again for another 260 days but back at Uttoxeter in December, she got back to winning ways. Another 92-day absence followed before she went to Fontwell in early March when she coasted to victory, upped to three and a quarter miles. She is back down to an extended two miles and five furlongs for this and having defied a 7lb rise last time out, she has an extra 7lb on her back, but she won by 11 lengths and was value for more.
SOUTHWELL
Race 2 – ZOOLOGY 4/5
The star of the show at Southwell could be James Ferguson’s ZOOLOGY, who was an impressive winner at Yarmouth on debut last term before having his sights raised in the Group One Middle Park Stakes. Although he failed to make his mark on that occasion, he is clearly an above-average colt and this looks a nice starting point to kick off his three-year-old campaign.
