Wednesday’s UK racing tips come your way from meetings at Bangor and Kempton on 28 February 2024.
BANGOR
Race 1- THATZA DAZZLER 13/10
THATZA DAZZLER found success for the first time running 6.5L clear in this grade over 2m on soft ground at Ludlow last week and will be a leading contender again.
Robins Field brings strong form with a trio of runner-up efforts including a 22L defeat at Plumpton over 2m1f on Monday. Include if racing again.
Yellow Jacket did well attempting a course and distance handicap chase on similar going when second before a below par Market Rasen fifth.
Shady B can improve further making chase debut.
Race 4 – PITWOOD ROAD 20/21
PITWOOD ROAD has plenty going for her in the Camden Stout Mares’ Maiden Hurdle.
County Cork trainer Terence O’Brien brought her over to win a bumper at Ayr and he has now moved his attention from Scotland to Wales.
The six-year-old mare is owned by Derrick Mossop, who saw his colours carried to victory by Anglers Crag in the valuable Eider Chase last weekend, so he is on the crest of a wave currently.
Having chased home the useful Annalecka on her debut under rules having won a point to point, she was prominent in the betting at Thurles before Christmas but failed to lay a glove on Willie Mullins’ Femme Magnifique, who ran in a Grade Two next time out.
Brought to Ayr earlier this month, she won in a canter under Brian Hughes and he maintains the ride in a race in which his main employer Donald McCain has two runners.
Race 5 – GUARD THE MOON 8/11
The testing ground should suit Nigel Twiston-Davies’ GUARD THE MOON in the Ruabon Novices’ Hurdle.
The winner of two bumpers, he made his hurdling debut at Chepstow where he ran too keen to do himself justice.
It was to his credit he was beaten just over seven lengths into third and if he settles better, he should take all the beating.
Race 6 – CATCH HIM DERRY 11/8
CATCH HIM DERRY won with more in hand than the official three-quarter-length verdict suggests at Southwell in January.
Dan Skelton’s charge had shown glimpses of promise but always threatened to do better once handicapping.
Harry Skelton rode him with plenty of confidence for a horse racing over a mile further than he had ever tackled before but it was never really in any doubt.
Raised 6lb, that should not be enough to stop him.
KEMPTON
Race 2 – LADY IN HAVANA 7/2
LADY IN HAVANA has been going well with a Southwell victory preceding a strong third at Chelmsford tackling this trip. Up in class and rates a leading player.
Silver Trumpet produced a good fourth in this handicap grade attempting the journey at Lingfield and should be considered.
Just Rita is open to plenty of further progress after just three outings and may feature.
Race 3 – CREATIVE STORY 5/2
Charlie Appleby’s CREATIVE STORY is bred to be smart and can make a winning debut in the Unibet Zero% Mission Novice Stakes.
The son of Too Darn Hot is a half-brother to National Stakes winner Quorto, also trained by Appleby.
While Quorto was out in the June of his juvenile season, Creative Story is making his debut at three but his dam, Volume, was third in the Oaks so the pedigree is not all about early speed.
Race 4 – LADY OF ARABIA 4/1
Eve Johnson Houghton’s LADY OF ARABIA is worth following as she goes for a third successive win in the Try Unibet’s Improved Bet Builder Handicap.
Umberto showed plenty of ability tackling a track and trip handicap last August when a close third in this grade. Include him on your shortlist for seasonal return.
Gavi Di Gavi posted a strong one length second behind the Lady of Arabia here a month ago and makes for appeal.
Hieronymous recorded a decent Lingfield fourth attempting seven furlongs and shouldn’t be dismissed.
Race 7 – TORTURED SOUL 4/5
TORTURED SOUL holds solid form with a close third contesting a 1m5f handicap at Lingfield preceding a one length success in this handicap grade over 1m3f at Southwell, so has a good chance here.
Fravanco went well at Lingfield during December when one length runner-up tackling this handicap grade and trip, so include on your shortlist.
Where’s Tom ran with credit at Lingfield finishing a decent 3L fifth attempting a 2m handicap among this company and holds claims.
