By Nick Robson, PA
Bankrupt can complete a five-timer in the Always Gamble Responsibly With BetUK Handicap at Southwell.
Trained by Chelsea Banham, he had struggled to make much of an impact in his first couple of years racing, starting life handicapping with an opening mark of 69.
That proved to be an overestimation of his ability because it took him 13 races and a basement rating of 46 before he eventually broke his duck.
Raised 8lb, he initially struggled off his new perch the next twice but from 1lb lower, his winning run began at Kempton in October.
Victories at Wolverhampton and Lingfield followed, and last time out he was back at Wolverhampton winning comfortably off 64. Now back up to 69, the handicapper might feel his initial assessment was not far off correct.
There are several interesting contenders having their first runs out of novice and maiden company in the Stay Golden With BetMGM Safer Gambling Nursery Handicap.
Perhaps one with the best solitary piece of form, though, is Ed Walker’s Morindoo.
Her career has very much been up and down. Denied a run ahead of her intended debut when she reared over in the paddock, she then showed little when 80-1 a few weeks later at Kempton.
However, she was then fourth at Lingfield, once again at 80-1, despite showing inexperience in what looked an above-average race.
The winner is rated 80 for Charlie Hills, the William Haggas-trained runner-up had been second on debut and the third cost 200,000 guineas from Tattersalls Book One.
Morindoo then disappointed when last of eight at Wolverhampton but that meant she was given a handicap mark of 65, which looks workable.
Karl Burke has had more juvenile winners than anyone in 2023 and another couple could be on the cards in both divisions of the Bet £10 Get £40 At BetMGM EBF Novice Stakes.
First Alliance cost Steve Parkin of Clipper Logistics 500,000 guineas and is by Dubawi out of German 1,000 Guineas winner Main Edition, who is also a half-sister to the smart Major Cadeaux.
Night Raider is a son of Dark Angel, who cost the same connections 155,000 guineas, and the fact Burke has made an early entry for both in the Irish 2,000 Guineas might mean absolutely nothing – but it might also mean they have shown a fair bit at home.
Burke will be keen to get a good run into each before the spring.
Roarin’ Success looks sure to be suited by stepping back up to a mile in the Best Racing Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM EBF Fillies’ Handicap.
Trained for the moment by Harry and Roger Charlton, before Roger heads off into retirement, she has only had six runs, so has scope to improve.
She won a decent pot at Ascot in July and we have only seen her twice since, when last of 17 at Goodwood when clearly amiss, and then 104 days later at Kempton, when a close third of eight over seven furlongs.
Her Ascot win was over a mile, so she should strip fitter and be better suited to this distance.
Strong Johnson ran in some big sprints in Ireland and, while not quite the force of old, he has been consistent enough since joining Paul Midgley.
A winner three starts back at Newcastle, he ran a very creditable race last time out from the widest stall at Wolverhampton, when second only to the smart Clarendon House.
He runs off the same mark of 83 and should go well again in the Betuk. Home Of The Acca-Fenwa Handicap.
Over the jumps at Ffos Las, Grain d’Oudairies appeals in the At The Races App Market Movers Handicap Hurdle, despite carrying 12st.
Donald McCain’s JP McManus-owned seven-year-old showed a good attitude to get up late on at Uttoxeter in testing conditions last month and still has scope for more improvement after just five career starts.
Kay Tara Tara took a while to get the hang of things before scoring on her debut over timber at Huntingdon and is worth following in Fontwell’s Best Racing Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Lump Sum should also have learned plenty from his successful jumping bow, when again showing he has a big engine, and Sam Thomas will be hoping his charge can defy a penalty in the Wincanton Novices’ Hurdle.
Top tips for today’s UK meetings
TAB is betting on 3 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.
FFOS LAS: Race 1: 14.20 Minella Double, Race 2: 14.52 The Jukebox Man, Race 3: 15.22 Steel Ally, Race 4: 15.52 Annie Day, Race 5: 16.22 The King Of Ryhope, Race 6: 16.52 Grain d'Oudairies, Race 7: 17.22 James Jet.
FONTWELL: Race 1: 14.40 Quel Destin, Race 2: 15.10 River Gold, Race 3: 15.40 Flintara, Race 4: 16.10 Herakles Westwood, Race 5: 16.40 Kay Tara Tara, Race 6: 17.10 Moytier, Race 7: 17.40 What's My Line.
WINCANTON: Race 1: 14.45 Lump Sum, Race 2: 15.15 Cooleenymore, Race 3: 15.45 Queen Annie, Race 4: 16.15 King Turgeon, Race 5: 16.45 Sizing Pottsie, Race 6: 17.15 Fame And Fun, Race 7: 17.45 Lightning Flash.
SOUTHWELL: Race 1: 19.00 Morindoo, Race 2: 19.30 First Alliance, Race 3: 20.00 Night Raider, Race 4: 20.30 BANKRUPT (NAP), Race 5: 21.00 Roarin' Success, Race 6: 21.30 Strong Johnson, Race 7: 22.00 Kiss My Face, Race 8: 22.30 Evening Story.
ALL TO COME: Bankrupt and Strong Johnson (Southwell, Races 4 and 6).
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