UK Horse Racing Tips

the Betway Sprint Handicap (1.25) at Newcastle on Thursday features the return of Mullionheir, who has been absent since finishing twentieth of 24, beaten 13½ lengths, behind Librisa Breeze in the Gigaset International Stakes at Ascot in July. John Best’s 4-year-old was highly progressive last season, winning five times and climbing 39lb in the weights.

Clearly, he’s had his problems, but is only 2lb higher in the weights than when fourth of 17, beaten 2½ lengths, behind subsequent Duke Of York Stakes winner Magical Memory over 6 furlongs on the July Course at Newmarket last summer and would have an obvious chance if able to reproduce that form. An absence of 117 days is a worry, but he drops into 0-95 company for the first time since winning over 7 furlongs at Newbury last August. His ability to act on Tapeta is a complete unknown but, even so, he looks worth chancing on his debut on the surface.

Selection: Newcastle 1.25 Mullionheir to win

George Bowen has had a disappointing season, failing to trouble the judge on all ten starts, but only went down three necks and a head when fifth of 21 over 6 furlongs on Town Moor last month and looks worth another try over an extra furlong. He’d previously run well, again over 6 furlongs, in the Coral Sprint Trophy at York, despite missing the break and being hampered with a furlong to run, so he may be able to round off the season with a win in the Betfred “Supports Jack Berry House” Handicap (1.50) at Doncaster on Saturday.

The Dark Angel gelding attempted 7 furlongs four times last season, without success, but has suggested more than once in recent months that a stiffer test of stamina might show him in better light. He races off the same handicap mark as when winning over the testing 6 furlongs at the Curragh last September and has winning form on good to firm going, not to mention being the choice of stable jockey Tony Hamilton, so he actually has quite a lot going for him.

Selection: Doncaster 1.50 George Bowen to win

With winter setting in and 2016 drawing to a close the Flat Season is almost over for another year. In 2016, the Flat Season runs from 2 April until Saturday 5 November where the season ends at the November Handicap.

The 2015 British Champion title was won by Brazilian-born Silvestre de Sousa, but it looks like he won’t be getting his hands on the trophy for a second year in a row.

With less than a fortnight left of the Flat Season we take a look at the most-successful jockeys in 2016 so far:

Jim Crowley

With 181 wins this season and an incredible 376 places in his 979 rides, Jim Crowley is currently leading the way The Stobart Flat Jockeys Championship. Crowley won his first British Champion Title earlier this year as part of an amazing season is he having.

Born near the famous Ascot racecourse itself, Jim Crowley began his career as an amateur flat racing jockey before switching to National Hunt Racing. He rode close to 300 winners in National Hunt before making the switch back to Flat Racing professionally, riding for his sister-in-law Amanda Perrett.

Jim Crowley’s wins so far this season include the sporting odds of 12/1 winner at Cheltenham earlier this month, riding Omeros.

Silvestre de Sousa

The 2015 British Champion Title winner with 132 runs is some 17 wins back this year on Jim Crowley. Silvestre de Sousa has an impressive 164 wins so far in 2016 with a strike rate of 17.6% and a Place rate of 37.1% – both narrowly behind the soon-to-be 2016 champion.

Born in São Francisco do Maranhão, Brazil, de Sousa joined Irish trainer Dermot Weld at the age of 22, before moving to England to work with Yorkshire-based trainer David Nicholls. His breakthrough came in 2007 before he reached his maiden century of winners in 2010,

Silvestre de Sousa’s most-notable win in 2016 may have been riding 14/1 Foie Gras at Cheltenham in October.

Luke Morris

Branded “Britain’s Busiest Jockey”, the Oxfordshire-born Luke Morris has already racked up an incredible 1,197 runs and 147 wins in 2016. In 2012, he racked up more than a mind-blowing 1,500 rides, truly earning the title. However, a strike rate of only 12.3% puts him 37 wins behind Jim Crowley.

Earlier this month Luke Morris rode Marsha to a 16/1 win at Chantilly.

Adam Kirby

27-year-old Adam Kirby comfortably sits in fourth place – some 18 wins ahead of Joe Fanning and 17 behind Luke Morris as we head into the final days of the 2016 season.

Kirby has registered came in at a brilliant 130 wins and 262 places in his 769 rides so far this season. That gives him a better strike rate than the two jockeys directly above him, but still not match to Jim Crowley’s 18.5% success rate.

The opening day of Royal Ascot 2016 is a moment Kirby will never forget. His partner went into labour at 2am, finishing less than an hour before the start of the first race!

In the 3.20 at Nottingham on Wednesday, London Prize has shown improved form since going handicapping over 2 miles earlier this month and, although he drops back a quarter of a mile in distance, looks the one to be on. The Teofilio gelding steps back up in class off a 3lb higher mark, but could be called the winner some way from home at Newbury last week and remains open to significant improvement after just five starts on the Flat. He’s clearly blessed with an abundance of stamina, so connections will be hoping for an end-to-end gallop at this distance, especially on a relatively flat track, but it’s no surprise that they’re keen to strike while the iron is hot. He once again has the services of talented apprentice Adam McNamara, who won on him at Newbury and, as the sort to keep progressing as he matures, could be one to follow.

Selection: Nottingham 3.20 London Prize to win