MY GIFT TO YOU FANCIED FOR ANOTHER FAKENHAM WIN

By Adam Morgan

My Gift To You could prove the perfect present for punters in Fakenham’s Cool Roxy – The Fakenham Favourite Novices’ Handicap Chase.

James Owen’s charge has been a consistent operator since joining the Newmarket handler from Paul Webber in the summer and claimed his third victory since the switch when impressing over course and distance in November.

He receives a 5lb rise for that clear-cut four-and-a-half-length success, but the winning distance was set to be even further before a mistake at the last stunted some of his momentum.

That was just his second outing over fences and having shown a real liking for the larger obstacles on both starts, he could have lots more to come.

Neil Mulholland has a live chance in the concluding Racing Again On 21st January Handicap Hurdle with Hobb’s Delight.

He managed to get a dead-heat with Naturally High at Fontwell on Boxing Day despite being far from fluent at the obstacles and has scope for more improvement.

Irish handler Stuart Crawford has plenty of hopes when making his customary raid on Ayr.

Crawford is no stranger to success on the Scottish west coast and could land the Quiz Night At Golf Inn Prestwick Maiden Hurdle with Joshua Des Flos.

Owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, the gelding has visited this track twice this term, finishing third on both occasions and shaping like he has more to offer.

It is interesting that his previous try over timber saw him produce arguably a career-best third to subsequent Grade One runner-up Absolute Notions at Punchestown in November 2022.

The travelling party also have a strong hand in the Ayr Completes Julia’s Racecourse Journey Handicap Hurdle with Ambush Annie.

Formerly trained by the afore mentioned Mulholland, the daughter of Fame And Glory looked in need of this step up in trip when third here just before Christmas.

The quality at Ayr is provided by Nicky Richards’ Aubis Walk, who is backed to show her class in the Ayrshire Wedding Show Novices’ Handicap Chase.

Although her novice hurdling season ended with disappointment when a beaten favourite for a hot Newbury event, chasing was always thought to be her game and she hit the ground running over the larger obstacles over course and distance last month.

She travelled stylishly through that contest before her jumping sealed the deal in the closing stages and although she looks extremely versatile trip-wise, she continues her chasing education over the same track and trip.

This could be just the beginning of a profitable career over the larger obstacles and she could take some stopping in this grade before tougher assignments await.

Richards will also bid for success in the Jim ‘Havana’ McPherson Handicap Chase with Marown, who made an encouraging reappearance when second to the well-backed Readysteadybeau at this venue.

Also hard to stop at present is Mick Appleby’s Intervention, who is easily the one to beat in the BetUK. It’s Where The UK Bets Handicap at Wolverhampton.

He arrives at Dunstall Park on a four-race winning streak and although three of those efforts have come up at seven furlongs, a drop back to six will hold no fears for this course-and-distance scorer.

He races under a 4lb penalty for a narrow success here on Boxing Day, but a handy apprentice negates that with his 5lb claim and the in-form gelding is rapidly rising through the ranks.

There could also be long-awaited all-weather joy for Tom Clover’s Rogue Rosie, who has been knocking on the door of late.

She was a real eyecatcher when third at Lingfield last time and can now open her account off the same rating in the BetMGM: It’s Showtime Handicap.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 3 UK meetings today. Here are the tips:

FAKENHAM: Race 1: 14.30 Jessie Lightfoot, Race 2: 15.00 Just Gino, Race 3: 15.30 Ya Know
Yaseff, Race 4: 16.00 Lady Salvador, Race 5: 16.30 MY GIFT TO YOU (NAP), Race 6: 17.00 El
Jefe, Race 7: 17.30 Hobb’s Delight.

AYR: Race 1: 14.45 Esprit Du Potier, Race 2: 15.15 Ambush Annie, Race 3: 15.45 Marown,
Race 4: 16.15 Aubis Walk, Race 5: 16.45 Barbados Buck’s, Race 6: 17.15 Joshua Des Flos,
Race 7: 17.45 Fearless.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 19.00 Reve De Magritte, Race 2: 19.30 Gold Standard, Race 3:
20.00 No Diggity, Race 4: 20.30 Le Geyt, Race 5: 21.00 Intervention, Race 6: 21.30 Rogue
Rosie, Race 7: 22.00 Darlo Pride, Race 8: 22.30 Hill Station.

ALL TO COME: Aubis Walk (Ayr, Race 4) and My Gift To You (Fakenham, Race 5).

For fields, betting and more information go to www.tab4Racing.com