Saturday’s UK racing tips come your way from meetings at Newbury, Newmarket and Ripon on 19 August 2023.
NEWBURY
Race 1 – KLONDIKE
After strolling home in the Chester Vase, Arrest struggled to make an impact on faster ground in both the Derby and the King Edward VII, but the son of Frankel could bounce back with the weather forecast in his favour.
Kemari returned to winning ways in the Fred Archer at Newmarket, but he isn’t absolutely certain to back that performance up and the vote goes to KLONDIKE.
William Haggas’ colt wasn’t best positioned to challenge in the Bahrain Trophy following a slow start and he remains capable of much better.
Race 2 – SWIFT ASSET
SWIFT ASSET has been in fine fettle on his most recent outings, including when scoring at Bath on his penultimate start, and Richard Hannon’s colt warrants plenty of respect in his bid for a third career victory.
Rod Millman boasts two solid chances with Woolhampton, a winner at Ascot last time, and Four Adaay, who has the services of Oisin Murphy in the saddle once again. Others to note include Harry Brown and Katey Kontent.
Race 3 – CLASSIC
CLASSIC took the step forward required to get his head back in front at Sandown and the form of that contest has worked out nicely, with the runner-up Novus improving in two subsequent outings at Glorious Goodwood, and the fifth winning comfortably at Newmarket last week.
A 2lb rise may prove to be lenient and he gets the vote at the expense of Open Mind, who placed at Chelmsford last time, and Top Secret.
Race 4 – JUMBLY
Chindit hit the woodwork in the Lockinge before going on to finish a creditable sixth in the Queen Anne.
Those efforts set a clear form standard, but he was a well-held eighth in this last year and the winner JUMBY is preferred.
The son of New Bay warmed up for his title defence with a good second in the Criterion at Newmarket (Pogo just behind in third), and this has likely been the target all along.
The latter also merits respect, along with Marbaan, who arrives on the back of a solid third in the Lennox.
NEWMARKET
Race 1 – DIVINE LIBRA
This represents a drop in grade for the largely unexposed DIVINE LIBRA after a strong placed effort over C&D last month and the three-year-old can take advantage in this unique handicap.
Not in action since scoring at Lingfield in February, Celtic Champion is a key player, along with Music Society, who has been running into form of late. 2021 winner Mitrosonfire is another to note, as well as Magical Max and Mister Bluebird.
RIPON
Race 4 – DREAM FOR GOLD
The William Hill Great St Wilfrid is as tricky a puzzle as ever, but Kevin Ryan’s Dream For Gold could be the solution.
Racing off bottom weight in this six-furlong contest, DREAM FOR GOLD was edged out by a neck at Newmarket last time and a similar effort here might be good enough.
