UK Horse Racing Tips
We have three selections today, one at Yarmouth, one at Newbury and one at Salisbury.
Tip 1 – 2.00pm Yarmouth
Our first selection of the day comes in the 1m4f handicap at 2.00pm. Those that head the market are solid but don’t set a particularly taxing standard. As such, I’m prepared to take a chance on handicap debutant Ace Rothstein.
He had three runs in relatively quick succession last autumn and showed improvement in each of those runs. He shaped like a stayer and that he would need an increased test of stamina before coming in to his own. At both Wolverhampton and Newcastle, he got outpaced as the race developed but saw out it well on both occasions.
There are doubts on pedigree whether this trip will be suitable but his run style suggests it is needed. It is, admittedly, a little disconcerting he has been absent for so long. Nevertheless, this isn’t a strong race and it looks a suitable opportunity on handicap debut. Michael Bell has his string in reasonable form with winners and a few near misses in the last week. Stepping in to handicap company and being gelded could illicit the improvement needed. This isn’t the strongest race for the grade and Ace Rothstein is worth chancing at the current prices.
2.00pm Yarmouth -1pt win Ace Rothstein 6/1 general
Tip 2 – 5.45pm Newbury
Our second tip comes in the 0-100 handicap at Newbury and it is a good race. The favourite, Troll Peninsula, is a cracking prospect and could well be ahead of his mark. The initial mark he’s been allocated doesn’t look burdensome. However, he’s been off since March and has presumably had a setback. At the prices, he’s worth opposing.
Bear Force One is of interest. He has won at Newbury as three-year-old and also won a mile handicap at Newmarket last season. Bear Force One is now back down to his last winning mark of 92. Judged on his record in previous seasons, he takes a couple of runs before finding the winning thread and looks primed to go close today under optimal conditions.
Running at Ascot last time, he shaped nicely and did the best of those who raced prominently. After turning for home, he was short of room and lost momentum and he could well have finished somewhat closer. Returning to a straight course will suit and he looks overpriced. Ryan Moore takes over today and has a good record when riding for the yard (6-19).
5.45pm Newbury – 1pt each way Bear Force One 12/1 general
Tip 3 – 6.05pm Salisbury
Despite only three runners going to post, this is a good little race. Albasheer sets the standard on his two-year-old form. He finished a close second in the Champagne Stakes before a mid-division finish in the Dewhurst. If he runs to that level, he is most certainly the likely winner. He is, however, priced accordingly and there are negatives. Firstly, he has been absent for nearly a year. Secondly, he’s not really bred to be a sprinter but, as a caveat to that point, undoubtedly has plenty of pace.
Saint Lawrence is a solid yardstick and goes particularly well at Newbury. I have a slight suspicion that he doesn’t fully apply himself and it’s questionable whether this tactical three-runner affair will see him to best effect.
By process of elimination, Jumby is a bet at the prices. He has form in some of the strongest three-year-old handicaps. His latest conqueror, Great Ambassador, is highly progressive and will be plying his trade in group company in due course. Quite remarkably, he’s been dropped 1lb for his latest run when conceivably he could have been given a rise.
He isn’t favoured by these weights, he has to give 4lb to both of his rivals and that’s a big disadvantage. In spite of that; he is tough, hardy, experienced and if both of his rivals have chinks in their armour then he will expose them. It will be a different scenario for him today with a small field. It won’t be a surprise to see Oisin Murphy take him out front and try to expose any weaknesses in the other two. At the prices, I think he’s worth chancing.
6.00pm Salisbury – 1pt win Jumby 4/1 general (some 9/2 available)
