We share our UK racing tips for Tuesday 9 May’s meetings at Fakenham, Lingfield and Newcastle.
FFOS LAS
Race 1 – MANORBANK 23/20
There is plenty of action over obstacles and MANORBANK, who has had his fair share of problems over the years, finally put it all together to score at Chepstow last month.
It is hard to tell how strong the opposition was that day but he was visually impressive and the step up to two and a half miles should hold few worries in this novices’ hurdle at Ffos Las.
The Same wasn’t disgraced when finishing third over course and distance last month and a similar effort should see him in contention once more, while Lelant ran his best race to date when runner-up here in March.
FAKENHAM
Race 2 – LEGENDARY RHYTHM 5/2
LEGENDARY RHYTHM could make it a hat-trick in this handicap chase at Fakenham.
He has made all with aplomb the last twice and could be able to dictate once again in conditions which should suit. Jigginstown King only narrowly denied over an extended 2m3f at Fontwell last month, there is likely more in the locker and he can post his best run to date.
Abaya Du Mathan bolted up at Ffos Las most recently and is another to consider off 9lb higher. Auditoria has paid a price for consistency of late and has to shoulder top-weight.
LINGFIELD
Race 4 – SOLANNA 8/11
John Butler’s SOLANNA romped to victory at Yarmouth last week and could prove tough to stop under a 5lb penalty in the fourth at Lingfield if transferring that form to the all-weather with Oisin Murphy booked to ride once again.
Race 6 – DRAGON ICON 11/8
DRAGON ICON can breathe fire on the opposition when he lines up in this novice stakes. Roger Varian’s son of Lope De Vega created a deep impression at Kempton on debut when scorching to a clear-cut three-and-a-quarter-length success over seven furlongs.
That victory was in November and the form has a strong look to it with the third beaten a neck in a good Salisbury contest next time, while the fourth has also acquitted herself well among useful company since. The 360,000 guineas buy now makes his seasonal bow up at a mile and as a full-brother to Breeders’ Cup winner Aunt Pearl, another above-average performance can be expected from this exciting colt.
NEWCASTLE
Race 2 – LION’S PRIDE 85/40
LION’S PRIDE looks an interesting newcomer in this maiden stakes. John and Thady Gosden’s Roaring Lion colt is owned by Derby and Arc winning owner-breeder Anthony Oppenheimer and is related to a plethora of winners that have worn the famous black and while silks.
But what is of real interest about this debutant is that he holds an entry for the Group Two King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot – so he must be giving connections the right vibes to have that ticket ready to be stamped.
Race 3 – SNAFIYA 13/10
Experience could be the order of the day in this maiden fillies’ stakes at Gosforth Park where SNAFIYA gets a tentative nod in a race which could possess some useful sprinting youngsters. George Boughey’s filly looks another fast learner from the first crop of Blue Point and gave a more than adequate account on her first start at Nottingham.
She bumped into a well-drilled rival with a run under her belt that day, but was only beaten a neck following a sluggish start and if she is sharper away here, she could build on that encouraging first outing to open her account.
