Grab all of our UK racing tips for Friday’s meetings at Ascot and Haydock Park on 8 September 2023.
ASCOT
Race 1 – GIVE IT UP 25/2
Richard Spencer appears to have his string in good heart at present and can add to his tally with GIVE IT UP in the Events At Ascot Christmas Parties British EBF Restricted Novice Stakes.
Too free to do himself justice when sixth on his debut, the son of his trainer’s one-time stable star Rajasinghe was at least a little more amenable when outrunning odds of 40/1 when filling the runner-up spot at Newmarket recently.
While no match for the smart-looking newcomer Eben Shaddad, Give It Up was nicely clear of the remainder and he is expected to make it third time lucky.
Race 2 – KESTREL 18/10
The presence of Aidan O’Brien’s KESTREL is clearly significant in the Charbonnel Et Walker British EBF Maiden Stakes.
A son of star stallion Justify, the unraced two-year-old is the Ballydoyle handler’s only runner at this two-day meeting, which in itself is notable.
What is perhaps even more intriguing is that in the same race last season O’Brien saddled Paddington, who could finish only fifth but improved hugely to become one of this season’s star performers.
Kestrel may also need this initial experience, but on the other hand he is unlikely to have been sent across the Irish Sea half-cooked and market confidence could prove ominous for his rivals.
Race 5 – TAFREEJ 33/20
TAFREEJ sets the standard in the Bet With Ascot Classified Stakes.
The gelded son of Shamardal opened his account for the current campaign with a ready win at Yarmouth at the end of June, earning him a mark of 90, which makes him the highest-rated runner in this field.
Since then he has run well in defeat in competitive handicaps at Newmarket and York and he is expected to make the most of this slight ease in grade.
Race 7 – PASTICHE 7/2
PASTICHE finished fourth over 1m at Newmarket in July in a race that didn’t go to plan.
This might be run at a truer gallop and with Ryan Moore booked she can retain her unbeaten record over seven furlongs.
Kimnkate has done nothing wrong this season and commands the utmost respect after managing a neck-second tackling 7f at Newmarket last month.
It’s hard to dismiss Gulmarg who found only a course specialist too strong when runner-up at Kempton last time.
HAYDOCK
Race 2 – RAQIYA 9/4
The Owen Burrows-trained RAQIYA can defy a penalty in the Oakmere Homes EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes.
An eye-catching fourth on her introduction at Newbury in mid-July, the daughter of Blue Point confirmed that promise when readily justifying cramped odds at Salisbury four weeks ago.
Raqiya’s half-brother Ribhi won twice as a juvenile before going on to earn himself a three-figure rating and his younger sibling can follow suit by doubling up at Haydock.
Race 3 – MUKER 9/2
MUKER held some high-class form at three and although probably not able to operate anywhere near that level anymore he did post a solid effort scoring over 5f at Thirsk last time.
Alex Jary seemed to get on well with him that day and the pair might complete a double.
Booking James Doyle is a plus for Level Up, who arrives seeking a fourth win in his past five outings after a nose success at Ffos Las last time.
Hamilton (5f) winner Never Dark may remain competitive up in weights, while Bayraat cannot be ignored after being narrowly denied at Redcar last time.
Race 5 – CANOODLED 9/2
CANOODLED looks well placed to follow up an impressive recent Newmarket success in the Arete Foundation Handicap.
Ed Walker’s mare has four victories to her credit in all, three of which have been achieved at Flat racing’s Headquarters, while she has also been placed on seven occasions.
The five-year-old, who can be a slow starter, made an inauspicious start to her season when last of six at Nottingham, but she fared better when third on the Rowley Mile next time out before she again failed to recover after missing the break at Ascot in July when favourite.
However, she got her act together in some style when dropped back in trip from a mile to this seven-furlong distance on the July Course last month, scooting clear in the hands of William Buick, who is once again on board.
A 7lb hike to a career-high mark of 85 makes life tougher, but if Canoodled jumps off on terms she should nevertheless prove hard to beat on Merseyside.
Race 7 – ALSHADHIAN 13/2
ALSHADHIAN comes lightly-raced and this stiffer stamina test should suit after finishing fourth over 1 ½m on handicap debut at Lingfield last month.
The Ralph Beckett yard continues to provide winners of late and the gelded son of Awtaad may help add to tally from the foot of the weights.
Double Oban appreciated stepping up to 1 ¾m when second at Wolverhampton and remains unexposed in staying handicaps.
It’s hard to leave out the consistent Can Can Girl following back-to-back placed efforts off this mark among Class Five company while Marmara Sea can enter each-way calculations.
