UK racing tips – Tuesday 8 August 2023

Catterick

Race 2 – Rum Runner 6/1

Rum Runner has been unlucky to fill the runner-up spot on each of his last three starts, with the latest of those efforts coming at Beverley in a class 6 handicap and he should be more than capable of taking a race of this nature in his current mood.

Doomsday won’t make it easy for the selection after finishing second in a similar event at a big price in first-time cheekpieces at Musselburgh, while last-time-out Wolverhampton winner Tea Garden could have a say if transferring her recent form to the turf.

Race 3 – Winklevi 7/1

Winklevi is the pick in the Hugh James Handicap.

Victorious on the all-weather back in January, David Evans’ charge is 2lb lower than his winning mark of 60 that day after a string of winless runs subsequently.

However, he showed a little more sparkle last time and might take advantage of his falling rating.

Race 6 – Mrs Bagerran 9/2

Shesadabber recorded a first success of the season when making all and holding on by a neck at Bath recently, but the daughter of Heeraat could be worth taking on now burdened with a 4lb penalty.

Mrs Bagerran has been in fine form of late and a reproduction of her latest C&D second may be good enough for Tracy Waggott’s five-year-old to regain the winning thread.

Last-time-out winner Golden Gal and Zoom Star also enter the equation.

Ffos Las

Race 1 – Golden Shot 1/1

Golden Shot only just found an improving rival too good at York last Saturday and, although a 5lb higher mark in this contest makes life harder, the four-year-old likely has more races in him this season.

Captain Kane is only 3lb higher than last month’s all-weather success at Lingfield and merits respect on this switch to turf, while any market support for stable/seasonal debutant Black Kalanisi would increase interest in the veteran.

Race 2 – Devil’s Point 13/10

Devil’s Point is of definite interest in the Forever Puppy / EBF Maiden Stakes.

The David Menuisier-trained colt was a 475,000 guineas yearling purchase on behalf of ebullient owner Clive Washbourn and made his competitive debut in what looked a strong race at Sandown last month.

While he was ultimately unable to land a telling blow, he could be spotted making late headway and in the end was not beaten far into fifth place.

The winner Starlore is set for a step up to Group class in the Acomb Stakes at York, while the third, Arabian Crown, has since returned to Sandown and won comfortably, so the form looks solid.

Devil’s Point makes the journey to deepest Wales for his second start and with improvement expected and Oisin Murphy booked for the ride, everything points to a big performance.

Race 4 – O G Beachwear 1/3

O G Beachwear has not been beaten far on any of her three starts to date and Hugo Palmer’s filly has been found an ideal opportunity to get off the mark here.

That said, Margaret’s Fuchsia was only beaten a head in handicap company last time and should not be underestimated, while Done Decision cannot be discounted on his belated racecourse debut.

Race 6 – Moulin Booj 1/1

Moulin Booj got off the mark at the sixth attempt at Wolverhampton last week and a reproduction of that level of form would make him hard to beat here, despite the 6lb penalty.

Reve De Magritte was useful when trained in France and a mark of 62 should be workable on her UK debut.

Rhubarb and Exquisitely both have claims but the former is just the pick of the pair.

Ripon

Race 1 – Temper Trap 33/20

Temper Trap has secured a double recently and he is hard to oppose in his bid for a hat-trick, even with 5lb extra to carry.

Jewel Of Kabeir showed a lot more on her return to the fray when third at Beverley last month and she goes off 1lb lower here.

Chagall’s success at Lingfield last time over 1m2f also gives him an obvious chance.

Race 2 – Seven Questions 1/1

Seven Questions got off the mark at the third attempt for George Scott, with the British EBF 40th Anniversary Restricted Novice Stakes a logical next target.

The form of his initial run looks very strong, coming home fourth behind Hala Emaraaty at Redcar, with subsequent Windsor Castle and Molecomb winner Big Evs in second.

Beaten a neck by Cuban Secret at Yarmouth next time, Seven Questions was withdrawn at the start of the Windsor Castle after getting upset in the stalls, but made minor amends when getting his head in front back at Yarmouth three weeks ago.

The ground that day was officially good, but it looked softer than that and was later changed, suggesting the recent wet spell might not derail Seven Questions’ challenge.

Race 4 – Whispering Royal 13/2

A step up in trip can see Whispering Royal make it third time lucky for the season in the Book Now For Saturday 19th August Handicap.

A debut winner at Dundalk in the autumn for Irish trainer Barry Fitzgerald, the three-year-old was subsequently snapped up by Chelsea Thoroughbreds for 75,000 guineas and sent to Alan King.

There was definite promise to be taken from his first start for new connections at Doncaster in June as while he beat only one home, he was just a length and a half behind the winner.

He stuck to the mile and a quarter on his next appearance at Windsor and was beaten the same distance, this time placing third behind Tiffany, who has since followed up and is now rated 84.

With a further hike in distance to a mile and a half expected to suit, Whispering Royal looks dangerously well treated off a mark of 73 and will take some stopping.

Race 6 – Profitable Edge 15/10

Profitable Edge finished a very respectable second on her seasonal/stable debut at Redcar in June and the daughter of Profitable appears to have been found a suitable opportunity to record a first success.

Your Spirit has made the frame the last twice and a further 1lb drop in the ratings makes Paul Midgley’s filly of interest too, while coure and distance winner Jazzagal may do best of the remainder.

Chelmsford

Chelmsford

Race 1 – Arcadian Friend 3/10

Arcadian Friend was only beaten a nose into second over 2m at Lingfield three weeks ago and a 2lb rise in the ratings may not be enough to stop him from going one better here.

Capricorn Prince has made the frame on his last couple of starts and could prove to be the main threat to the selection, ahead of Longuerue.

Race 2 – Happy Tears 28/10

Happy Tears can strike in the Autism In Racing Nursery Handicap.

She has shown flashes of ability in three runs for George Boughey, though quicker ground at Yarmouth on her last run was perhaps not totally in her favour.

Her rating of 72 looks workable though, and with a good bit of experience now under her belt, she can kick on with a minor win under William Buick.

Race 4 – Monaadhil 3/1

Irish Dessert hit the frame at Leicester on his latest outing, which was his best performance to date and he has to be considered off 1lb lower.

However, he will need to transfer that form to the all-weather and, for that reason, three-time course winner Monaadhil just shades the vote.

The nine-year-old did well to finish fifth over course and distance last month, as the race seemed to favour prominent runners, so that performance can be upgraded and he ought to go close off a 1lb lower rating.

Flying Barty looks best of the rest.

Race 6 – Mudskipper 10/1

Yeoman made it two wins from as many visits to Wolverhampton when scoring by a neck over an extended 1m last time and he should be suited by this extra yardage, but he has been raised 4lb for that neck success.

With that in mind, the vote goes to Mudskipper, who shaped as if a step up in trip is just what is needed on his latest outing at Sandown over a mile and, with the addition of first-time cheekpieces another possible source of improvement, he could go close off 1lb lower.

Beautifulasalways has William Buick booked, which suggests more can be expected on only her second handicap start.