UK Racing tips – Wednesday 19 July 2023

CATTERICK

Race 1 – CAMPAIGN TRAIL 4/6

A case can be made for all of these but marginal preference is for CAMPAIGN TRAIL, who arrives here on the back of two second-placed finishes in handicap company in recent months.

A reproduction of either of those efforts would give him a big chance here, while Palio has shown promise on both previous starts and may prove to be the main threat.

Child Of Lir was second in a claimer on his sole start to date and cannot be discounted on debut for new connections.

Race 3 – WILLOLARUPI 15/8

Declan Carroll’s team obviously expected a decent run from WILLOLARUPI on his debut as he was only a 5/1 chance when he finished second at Musselburgh.

On another day he might have won as he was slowly away and green throughout before coming off second best to a Karl Burke-trained juvenile who had the benefit of a run.

Given two weeks to get over those exertions, the son of Camacho is likely to be all the sharper for it, and he looks the one to beat in the British Stallion Studs EBF Restricted Novice Stakes.

Race 4 – CATCH CUNNINGHAM 11/1

CATCH CUNNINGHAM‘s form figures are less than inspiring to say the least but he is beginning to looks dangerously well handicapped.

Kevin Ryan’s sprinter began the season with a rating of 82, having won a decent pot at York in September off 79.

In two of his four runs this season he has lost almost any chance coming out of the stalls while in his other two races he was too keen for his own good.

Should he do things the right way round then he will begin to look extremely well treated off just 72 in the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery Handicap.

Race 5 – DIAMOND VEGA 15/8

DIAMOND VEGA appears to have been found a good spot to get back to winning ways when Ralph Beckett sends her to Catterick for the Download The Vickers.Bet App Handicap.

Just two starts ago she was sent off a 4/1 chance for the Listed Bosra Sham Fillies’ Stakes at Newmarket and now finds herself in a 0-80.

That seems a fair fall from grace, but she has only had one outing this season, which was not devoid of promise.

She reappeared at the end of June in a six-furlong fillies’ handicap at Newmarket but was too keen to do herself justice, fading in the closing stages.

Dropped 2lb to a mark of 81, on the basis of her debut second at Kempton and easy Haydock win she would look well treated.

BATH

Race 1 – BAZBALL 6/4

BAZBALL has stepped forward since being applied with a visor and Karl Burke’s filly is more than capable of shedding the maiden tag following her second off the same mark on nursery debut at Catterick last Wednesday.

Vidi Vici improved on his latest start when runner-up in a Goodwood seller and a repeat of that effort would see him enter the reckoning.

Lyndsanda may benefit from first-time cheekpieces and is also noted.

Race 3 – TANGLED UP IN BLUE 11/4

TANGLED UP IN BLUE caught a bit of a tarter last time out and may find things easier in the Bailey Cook Financial Planning EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes at Bath.

Third to the 82-rated Matloob on debut, Adam West sent her to Yarmouth last week but she was no match for Burke’s Harvanna, who has now won two out of three and looks above average.

On both occasions Tangled Up In Blue has been doing her best work at the finish so the extra half a furlong here should be right up her street.

Race 5 – BOBBY KENNEDY 15/2

BOBBY KENNEDY has been a beaten favourite the last twice, nevertheless, a first-time visor may help the five-year-old to return to winning ways.

Big Jimbo isn’t taken lightly in these slightly calmer waters than last time and Gary Moore’s gelding may prove to be the chief threat, ahead of Molliana, who arrives here on the back of a success in Jersey earlier in the month.

Race 7 – VILLALOBOS 4/6

VILLALOBOS hasn’t been beaten far on each of his last three starts, including once over course and distance, and this looks like a good opportunity to regain the winning thread.

Simon Hodgson’s charge gets the vote ahead of the Wolverhampton-scorer Mr Trick and Luxy Lou, who must be a key player stepped up in trip after a highly creditable performance at Brighton last month.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 1 – ALLAIN TU 7/1

The key to this race looks to be the recent clash over course and distance between Glory Call (first) and ALLAIN TU (third), with preference for the latter on this occasion.

Stan Moore’s charge had a bit more work to do than the winner when beaten half a length on that occasion, and a 2lb swing at the weights can aid her cause this time around.

Flying Barty and Ma Famille are capable of being in the shake-up also.

Race 3 – BATTISTA 8/15

BATTISTA should also open his account at the third time of asking in the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Restricted Novice Stakes.

Fourth behind the 86-rated New Business on debut, he was third to Imperial Emperor next time, who went off 5/2 in a Listed race last week behind Nostrum.

Race 4 – DAME SARRA 10/1

DAME SARRA produced her best effort to date when runner-up on turf at Lingfield and she makes a fair amount of appeal on her first start in a classified event.

Optik is likely to be in the mix once again, having finished second on his last four starts, while Alioski is expected to improve from his first run of the year when third at Lingfield.

Race 6 – ANNALEE LASS 15/2

ANNALEE LASS produced a below-par display on her debut for Peter Niven at Newcastle at the end of last month, but the filly, who has already won twice this year, is capable of bouncing back to form here.

The return to the all-weather is likely to benefit Captain St Lucifer following a brace of underwhelming efforts on turf, while others to note include Twistaline and Night Traveller.