UK Horse Racing Tips

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The Griffiths and Armour Handicap (2.35) at Haydock on Friday is one of the most competitive races of the day and, with recent winning form in short supply, a ‘surprise’ winner is a distinct possibility.

Anonymous John is on a losing run of 16 but, consequently, races off the same mark as when successful in a better race on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton last December and wouldn’t be without a chance on his best form. Indeed, David Evans’ 3-year-old wasn’t beaten far over 7 furlongs at Ascot two weeks ago and struck a purple patch at around this time last year, so he’s a must for our shortlist.

The other one who takes our eye is Big Time, now in the charge of “Sprint King” David Nicholls after completely losing for his way for John Joseph Murphy. The Kheleyf gelding was only beaten half a length in the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh as a juvenile, but finished nearer last than first on all five starts for the yard as a 3-year-old and 4-year-old. He fared a little better on his first start for his new trainer, finishing sixth of ten, beaten 6¾ lengths, in a 0-90 contest over 7 furlongs at Haydock six weeks ago and can be expected to improve a little.

Selections: Haydock 2.35 Anonymous John, Big Time

The Veolia Handicap (2.20) at Ascot on Friday is run over the same straight 7 furlongs as the Totescoop6 Challenge Cup on Saturday and should provide some clues with regard to draw bias at the Berkshire track. Of course, an 18-runner handicap also provides us with a rare opportunity for a weekday ‘tilt’, so we’ve highlighted a couple that we think could belie generous starting prices by running well.

Cincuenta Pasos has never won over a mile, or on Polytrack, so his latest effort, when only twelfth of 16, beaten 8¾ lengths, behind Georgian Bay at Kempton last month, is best forgotten and his earlier form bears close inspection. The form of his previous win, over 7 furlongs on the July Course at Newmarket, has worked out well enough to suggest that a 6lb rise in the weights may not be beyond him. Talented apprentice Edward Greatrex, who won on him at Newmarket, replaces John Egan and must have a decent chance of improving his 5-14 (36%) strike rate for trainer Joseph Tuite this season.

Ogbourne Downs has yet to win over 7 furlongs, but is only 1lb higher in the weights than when edging out Starlit Cantata in a 0-90 contest, over a mile, at Bath in June, so merits consideration from a handicapping perspective alone. He ran well over course and distance, when sixth of 15, beaten 3½ lengths, behind Peril in a ladies’ race in July and, with rising star Tom Marquand taking off 3lb, another good run looks on the cards.

Selections: Ascot 2.20 Cincuenta Pasos, Ogbourne Downs

Wesley A. Ward’s 2-year-old Acapulco attempts to become the first juvenile to win the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (3.40) at York on Wednesday since Kingsgate Native in 2007 and, having justified favouritism in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, seems sure to be popular once again. However, the twice-raced daughter of Scat Daddy faces a field of race-hardened older sprinters and may be worth opposing at a very short price.

Sole Power isn’t getting any younger, but remains a force to be reckoned with at the highest level over the minimum trip and, having already won this race twice from four attempts, looks decent value at around the 8/1 in the very early price lists. Edward Lynam’s 8-year-old has yet to win on going softer than good, but finished a close third in this race on good to soft going two seasons ago, so should run his race unless the heavens open.

The Kyllachy gelding has 1½ lengths to find with Goldream and 1 length to find with Muthmir on their running in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, but his record on the Knavesmire speaks for itself and he may be able to reverse the form. Regular partner Richard Hughes has retired, but Frankie Dettori is a more than able deputy.

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Selection: York 3.40 Sole Power (8/1 generally available) to win

The Bathwick Tyres St. Hugh’s Stakes (3.55), run over 5 furlongs and 34 yards and open to 2-year-old fillies only, is the feature race at Newbury on Friday. A total of 14 fillies are set to face the starter, but there are reasons to believe that the return to the minimum trip can help Kurland resume winning ways.

The Kheleyf filly took a keen hold when tried over 6 furlongs in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket five weeks ago, weakening in the final hundred yards to finish seventh of nine, beaten 4¾ lengths, behind Illuminate. However, she holds Little Voice, Pity Cash and Shaden on her previous form over 5 furlongs, when fourth of 20, beaten 6½ lengths, behind Acapulco in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot and a reproduction of that performance may be good enough.

The third at Ascot, Besharah, was subsequently beaten a nose in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes and won the Princess Margaret Juddmonte Stakes, back at Ascot, two weeks later, so the form looks strong. Officially, Kurland has 5lb to find with Whatdoiwantthatfor, but a line through Besharah suggests she may have the beating of Richard Hannon’s filly and she remains open to improvement after just three starts.

Selection: 3.55 Newbury Kurland to win