By Ashley Iveson, PA
Canoodled looks well placed to follow up an impressive recent Newmarket success in the Arete Foundation Handicap at Haydock.
Ed Walker’s mare has four victories to her credit in all, three of which have been achieved at Flat racing’s Headquarters, while she has also been placed on seven occasions.
The five-year-old, who can be a slow starter, made an inauspicious start to her season when last of six at Nottingham, but she fared better when third on the Rowley Mile next time out before she again failed to recover after missing the break at Ascot in July when favourite.
However, she got her act together in some style when dropped back in trip from a mile to this seven-furlong distance on the July Course last month, scooting clear in the hands of William Buick, who is once again on board.
A 7lb hike to a career-high mark of 85 makes life tougher, but if Canoodled jumps off on terms she should nevertheless prove hard to beat on Merseyside.
The Owen Burrows-trained Raqiya can defy a penalty in the Oakmere Homes EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes.
An eyecatching fourth on her introduction at Newbury in mid-July, the daughter of Blue Point confirmed that promise when readily justifying cramped odds at Salisbury four weeks ago.
Raqiya’s half-brother Ribhi won twice as a juvenile before going on to earn himself a three-figure rating and his younger sibling can follow suit by doubling up at Haydock.
Richard Spencer appears to have his string in good heart at present and can add to his tally with Give It Up in the Events At Ascot Christmas Parties British EBF Restricted Novice Stakes at Ascot.
Too free to do himself justice when sixth on his debut, the son of his trainer’s one-time stable star Rajasinghe was at least a little more amenable when outrunning odds of 40-1 when filling the runner-up spot at Newmarket recently.
While no match for the smart looking newcomer Eben Shaddad, Give It Up was nicely clear of the remainder and he is expected to make it third time lucky.
The presence of Aidan O’Brien’s Kestrel is clearly significant in the Charbonnel Et Walker British EBF Maiden Stakes.
A son of star stallion Justify, the unraced two-year-old is the Ballydoyle handler’s only runner at this two-day meeting, which in itself is notable.
What is perhaps even more intriguing is that in the same race last season O’Brien saddled Paddington, who could finish only fifth but improved hugely to become one of this season’s star performers.
Kestrel may also need this initial experience, but on the other hand he is unlikely to have been sent across the Irish Sea half-cooked and market confidence could prove ominous for his rivals.
Tafreej sets the standard in the Bet With Ascot Classified Stakes.
The gelded son of Shamardal opened his account for the current campaign with a ready win at Yarmouth at the end of June, earning him a mark of 90, which makes him the highest-rated runner in this field.
Since then he has run well in defeat in competitive handicaps at Newmarket and York and he is expected to make the most of this slight ease in grade.
Dark Encounter looks the best bet at Newcastle as he looks to break his duck in the Gowland & Dawson Nursery Handicap.
Karl Burke’s grey ran his best race to date when a close fourth in a valuable nursery at York’s Ebor Festival last month and there is no doubt he has less on his plate in the north east.
Evening all-weather fare comes from Kempton, where Copy Artist can reward those who keep the faith in the NFRC/Irish EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.
The three-year-old has finished second in three of her six races so far and is readily forgiven a disappointing showing in testing conditions at Haydock last time out.
Top tips for today’s UK meetings
TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.
HAYDOCK: Race 1: 14.30 Feud, Race 2: 15.00 Raqiya, Race 3: 15.35 Muker, Race 4: 16.10 Dazzling Jewel, Race 5: 16.45 CANOODLED (NAP), Race 6: 17.20 Fools And Horses, Race 7:17.55 Marmara Sea.
ASCOT: Race 1: 14.50 Give It Up, Race 2: 15.25 Kestrel, Race 3: 16.00 Seaward, Race 4: 16.35 Shaladar, Race 5: 17.10 Tafreej, Race 6: 17.45 Ouzo, Race 7: 18.20 Metahorse.
NEWCASTLE: Race 1: 15.10 Prince Achille, Race 2: 15.45 Don't Look Back, Race 3: 16.20 Emperor Caradoc, Race 4: 16.55 Kats Bob, Race 5: 17.30 Dark Encounter, Race 6: 18.05
Apocalyx, Race 7: 18.40 Thunder Princess, Race 8: 19.10 Global Tycoon. KEMPTON: Race 1: 18.55 Due Consideration, Race 2: 19.30 Fire Demon, Race 3: 20.00 Battle Of Omdurman, Race 4: 20.30 Copy Artist, Race 5: 21.00 Mighty Gurkha, Race 6: 21.30 Prosecco, Race 7: 22.00 Liberated Lad.
ALL TO COME: Raqiya and Canoodled (Haydock, Races 2 and 5).
For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab4racing.com