Friday’s UK racing tips come your way from Wolverhampton and Newbury on 18 August 2023.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 1 Q TWENTY BOY 7/1
Gatwick Kitten has won three of his last four and did it comfortably at Yarmouth last week so deserves respect, but he isn’t guaranteed to defy his 5lb penalty so the tentative selection is Q TWENTY BOY.
Mark Usher’s runner was beaten just a length into third behind surprise scorer Nazca in a classified event at Chelmsford and he is fancied to reverse that form. Lancashire Life heads the remainder.
Race 2 – LEXINGTON BELLE 63/100
This appears to revolve around LEXINGTON BELLE, who was a bloodless winner over 7f at Thirsk last week and she looks primed to follow up that success.
Alice Haynes’ filly justified favouritism by the best part of five lengths on that handicap debut and a 6lb penalty doesn’t appear likely to halt her progression. Between Me And U is feared most on his nursery bow after a consistent start to his career, while Catena heads the remainder.
Race 4 – BRAVE KNIGHT 15/10
Having finished second in a 0-95 handicap at Sandown last month, BRAVE KNIGHT has a lot going for him based on his scope to improve on what will be only his second start over this distance.
That near-miss reads well in the context of this task and given he already has experience on Tapeta, he is fancied to double his career tally. Dual C&D winner Lady Percival is feared most, although World Without Love also appeals back down in trip.
Race 6 – AUTUMNAL BREEZE 28/10
AUTUMNAL BREEZE seemed to have more in hand than the one-length winning margin suggested when she struck over the minimum trip at Chelmsford on Tuesday night, and she is hard to oppose turned out quickly under a 6lb penalty.
Jack Of Clubs and Mine That Ship both arrive on the back of solid performances and are chief among the opposition, although Byefornow has a reasonably solid chance of at least making the frame.
NEWBURY
Race 1 – AL HUJAIJA 9/4
The Roger Varian yard can do little wrong at the moment and AL HUJAIJA is fancied to continue the stable’s fine form. This daughter of Kodiac has shaped in her career to date as if a win could be just around the corner, especially when running with credit over 7f at Newmarket last time – a race that is working out nicely.
Bourgeoisie is fancied to pose the biggest threat after successive seconds over C&D and most recently over 7f at Newmarket, while Queen Of Mougins heads the remainder.
Race 3 – INVINCIBLE TIGER 7/2
INVINCIBLE TIGER has performed with consistency in her career to date and she shed her maiden tag on her latest outing at Bath. She can follow up that success on her nursery debut.
James Tate’s charge showed a willing attitude to get her head in front and this opening mark of 75 doesn’t appear out of reach. Kingswood Flyer is also making his nursery bow and shouldn’t be too far away, while Mariamne commands attention too.
Race 5 – BE PREPARED 6/1
Narrowly denied over C&D last time out, BE PREPARED has been in fine form of late and he can gain compensation on this occasion off a mark which is still much lower than his career-high rating.
A winner over C&D in June, Flying Secret has performed with plenty of credit in the interim and must enter calculations, along with the unexposed Halla Dubai. Snuggle and Vape can also have a say in proceedings.
Race 6 – AL HARGAH 7/2
AL HARGAH has not been outside the first three home in each of his last three starts and that consistency can be rewarded with a second career win on this occasion.
Richard Hannon’s charge is narrowly preferred to the in-form Carp Kid and Mrembo, who won here over slightly further in June. Completing the shortlist are the likes of Eton Blue, Lady Reset and Meleri.
