UK Horse Racing Tips

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The 32Red Handicap (7.40) at Kempton on Wednesday is a competitive heat for the grade, but may provide Mezmaar with an opportunity to supplement his win over 7 furlongs at the Sunley-on-Thames course three weeks ago. Kevin Morgan’s lightly-raced 7-year-old is just 4lb higher in the weights than when driven out to beat Dutiful Son by half and length, in this grade, on that occasion and, with the runner-up beaten, but far from disgraced, in a better race at Lingfield next time, still looks reasonably treated.

On his last attempt over course and distance, the Teofilio gelding finished a never-nearer fifth, beaten 2¾, behind subsequent winner Noble Deed in a 0-75 contest, off a 3lb lower mark. He’s drawn a little wider on the track than ideal, but there should be no hanging about and, hopefully, Shane Kelly can deliver him fast and late to lift the spoils. Suffolk trainer Kevin Morgan has a fair, if unspectacular, 5-32 (16%) strike rate with his older horses on the Polytrack at Kempton, for a very healthy 47.50 points profit, over the last five seasons, so Mezmaar could go well at generous odds.

Selection: Kempton 7.40 Mezmaar to win

In the British Stallion Studs EBF Mares “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (2.30) at Market Rasen, Buttercup is an interesting contender. Formerly in the charge of top French jump trainer François-Marie Cottin, for whom she remained a maiden after eight starts, the Limnos mare made a promising debut for new trainer Venetia Williams over 2 miles 5 furlongs at Warwick twelve days ago. She came to challenge at the second last flight on that occasion but, having been carried left after the last, she could only stay on at one pace to finish third, beaten 1¾ lengths, behind the winner Savingforvegas.

Nevertheless, that form looks decent, with the second, Surtee De Berlais, and the fourth, Mia’s Storm, having previously run creditably in defeat in Listed company and dropping back half a mile or so in distance could be a shrewd move on the part of her new connections. Venetia Williams has a healthy 8-30 (27%) strike rate overall at Market Rasen over the last five seasons, so it could be time for Buttercup to blossom.

Selections: Market Rasen 2.30 Buttercup to win

The Openbet Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle (4.30) wouldn’t be the most reliable selection source, but may provide Pandorica with an opportunity to record his second win over obstacles. Bernard Llewellyn’s 8-year-old mare has been well beaten in better company on both starts this campaign, but may be better judged on her form in this sort of grade earlier in the year.

The daughter of Indesatchel is 5lb lower in the weights than when third of six, beaten 4½ lengths, in a mares’ handicap hurdle at Chepstow in March and merits close attention on that form, especially as she appears versatile with regard to underfoot conditions. Interestingly, Welsh point-to-point champion rider, and erstwhile assistant trainer to Tim Vaughan, Rhys Hughes, has his first ride under National Hunt rules for six years, so the hint may be worth taking.

Selections: Ludlow 4.30 Pandorica to win

The going at Doncaster is currently good to soft, good in places and faster underfoot conditions have attracted over 100 runners in seven races on Friday. The Sky Bet Thanks Jen Noble Maiden Hurdle (3.40) is the most competitive race on the card, numerically, but there are reasons to expect a forward showing from Kingussie, trained in Gloucestershire by Ben Pauling.

Although an 8-year-old, the Diktat gelding didn’t see a racecourse until last May, when making a winning debut for Shaun Lycett in a ‘bumper’ at Stratford. Now with a yard that’s undeniably going places, he made a satisfactory debut over obstacles when fourth of 14, beaten 6½ lengths, behind Que Sera in a maiden hurdle at Towcester in December. That form has yet to be properly tested but, while the runner-up, Ballypoint, finished last of six in a Grade 2 contest at Haydock last week, the sixth, Scooter Boy, won a better maiden hurdle at Huntingdon earlier this month.

The form appears strong enough, in the context of this race, and Kingussie should improve for his first run for over a year. Indeed, having won on good going at Stratford, drying ground is almost certainly in his favour and his running style suggests that the step up to 2 miles 3 furlongs won’t do his chances any hard either. Jockey Nico De Boinville has a 10-40 (25%) strike rate for the yard this season, so there’s every reason to expect Kingussie to go well at a decent price.

Selection: Doncaster 3.40 Kingussie