All of the latest UK racing tips for Saturday 22 April’s meetings at Ayr and Newbury!
AYR
Race 1 – FRERE D’ARMES 6/4
Dan Skelton likes to target this meeting and looks to have an ideal candidate for this in the shape of Frere D’armes, who had to settle for second when looking to bag the hat-trick at Ascot.
The winner has scored again since, while this six-year-old gets to run off the same mark, which could prove very beneficial.
Last year’s chief protagonists Return Ticket (first) and Malystic (second) are back for more, while Elixir De Nutz had been in excellent form before a disappointing effort in the Grand Annual.
Race 2 – CITY CHIEF 2/1
City Chief took another step forward when landing the Towton at Wetherby and the steadier of 12 stone may not be enough to stop Nicky Henderson’s progressive chaser from completing a hat-trick.
Reynoldstown winner Oscar Elite was far from disgraced in fifth in the Ultima at Cheltenham and a bold bid is expected, while Sail Away is capable of better now returned to 3m.
Handicap debutant Where It All Began and Temptationinmilan represent the Irish challenge and they can’t be discounted in a competitive contest.
Race 3 – RUBAUD 13/2
Rubaud could be the solution to the Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle.
Paul Nicholls’ charge bounced back from an underwhelming Betfair Hurdle performance to win the Dovecote last time out, making all to fend off Mullenbeg by just over a length.
He bypassed a Grade One date at Aintree last week due to unsuitable conditions, but that could prove a blessing in disguise.
Race 4 – BALCO COASTAL 2/1
Balco Coastal put up no show at all at Cheltenham but the Jordan Electrics Ltd Future Champion Novices’ Chase gives him chance to get back on track.
Not beaten far at all by Gerri Colombe in the Scilly Isles on his penultimate run, Balco Coastal did not enjoy testing ground in the Turners Novices’ Chase at all so as long as conditions remain on the better side, he looks a leading player.
Race 5 – FAMOUS BRIDGE 16/1
Famous Bridge taken to go well at decent odds in the Coral Scottish Grand National.
Nicky Richards’ charge has won two of his four chase outings and while his latest trip to Ayr back in February was disappointing, he has put the record right subsequently with two wins at Wetherby.
Famous Bridge’s jumping appeared to really be coming together last time and although he only triumphed by a length and a half, there looked to be plenty in the tank.
The near four-mile trip is a huge question mark, but he is not the only contender with that doubt about him and Brian Hughes will surely have a plan in mind to maximise his chance.
NEWBURY
Race 1 – HURRICANE LANE 1/1
Hurricane Lane should have conditions to suit as he tries to recapture winning form in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes.
An exceptional three-year-old, Hurricane Lane was limited to two lacklustre starts last term, finishing third in the Hardwicke before a heavy defeat at Saint-Cloud.
His trainer Charlie Appleby felt the ground had been wrong on both occasions and while Hurricane Lane has something to prove now, the fact connections are persevering suggests they must think there is still something to give.
Race 2 – REMARQUEE 11/4
Remarquee could be a surprise package in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes, a contest better known as the Fred Darling.
She had just one run for Ralph Beckett last year, but she made quite a splash in winning a seven-furlong novice with ease, looking a fine prospect in the process.
Remarquee showed a nice change of gear which could be a useful asset here.
Race 3 – CHALDEAN 5/6
Chaldean can get his season off to a perfect start in the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes at Newbury.
As short as 5/1 for next month’s 2000 Guineas, Andrew Balding’s charge made relentless progress through his juvenile campaign, culminating in a head victory in the Dewhurst at Newmarket.
The winning margin perhaps does not do him full justice as he missed the break and while the ground at Newbury will be more testing, this Frankel colt already has a win on soft to his credit.
Race 4 – LATTAM 6/4
The low-mileage Lattam impressed when running on well to snatch victory in the Irish Lincolnshire and is an attractive proposition with ground conditions likely to suit.
A 5lb rise is fair and he looks progressive enough to cope at this stage of his development. Alrehb is interesting after back-to-back successes on the all-weather this year.
He is also on the upgrade and warrants serious consideration on his first try over a mile on turf. Aussie Banker and Bless Him are others to consider.
