UK Horse Racing Tips: Newbury

YAA SALAAM finished a close third in a competitive handicap at Kempton earlier this month and would prove tough to stop if replicating that level of performance. David Pipe's representative receives plenty of weight from recent Catterick hero Ashutor, who carries a 7lb penalty for that success earlier this week. Hit The Rocks is another who merits consideration after two decent runs at Plumpton.
Prediction : 1st Yaa Salaam 2nd Ashutor 3rd Hit The Rocks

LOVERBOY struck on heavy ground at Chepstow on stable debut for Alan King earlier this year and, given that run came after a 26-month absence, the nine-year-old is expected to take a step forward despite an 8lb rise. Aintree My Dream seldom runs a bad race at this level despite his advancing years, while fellow veteran Dell' Arca is on a fair mark and ran his best race for a while here recently.
Prediction : 1st Loverboy 2nd Aintree My Dream 3rd Dell Arca

Le Rocher is never handed much help from the handicapper as a result of his consistency and might run well again here without winning. Theatre Guide isn't getting any younger but showed up bravely for a long way when third at Sandown last month, while Singlefarmpayment has plenty of ability but saves his best for Cheltenham. JOE FARRELL is competitively weighted on his best form and, having being dropped 2lb for finishing seventh in the Ladbrokes Trophy, is fancied to go close.
Prediction : 1st Joe Farrell 2nd Le Rocher 3rd Singlefarmpayment

ELUSIVE BELLE still appears to be a fairly handicapped individual on the pick of her best form and she can reverse the form of her most recent Kempton meeting with Miranda on 5lb better terms. The latter has been progressive since a disappointing start to the season, following up her win with a placed effort at Musselburgh, while Khage, who finished third when returning to timber at Wetherby, and the hat-trick seeking Le Ligerien appeal most of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Elusive Belle 2nd Miranda 3rd Khage

Six of the last nine renewals have been won by Paul Nicholls and his trio in this all have claims. Secret Investor stayed on well when second to Native River over further here last time, with Valdez well back in fifth, while San Benedeto won this last year and is only 3lb higher having slipped down the ratings of late. Mont Des Avaloirs should be happier over this trip than he was over a longer trip here earlier in the month, but it may be worth opposing Nicholls' battalion with CLONDAW CASTLE. Tom George's gelding despatched Gala Ball, who was runner-up in this last year, at Warwick last time and a 6lb rise for that easy win might underestimate him.
Prediction : 1st Clondaw Castle 2nd Secret Investor 3rd San Benedeto

The heavy ground may have found out FAUSTINOVICK at Ascot last time but his previous form in novice hurdles suggests that a mark of 122 may underestimate his ability. Karakoram has proven to be a consistent performer in recent months and he should be in the mix once again. Others who merit consideration in an open race are Captain Blackpearl, Fibonacci and Escrime D'Art.
Prediction : 1st Faustinovick 2nd Karakoram 3rd Captain Blackpearl

Master Tommytucker is clearly very talented and he is more than capable of winning a race of this nature, but his jumping has to be a big concern. With that in mind, preference is for MOONLIGHTER, who struggled in a Grade 2 last time but he had previously won a handicap over 2m here off a mark of 137. All of the rest have claims but Tidal Flow is the pick of them.
Prediction : 1st Moonlighter 2nd Master Tommytucker 3rd Tidal Flow

RED ROOKIE has to be given the utmost respect having beaten a subsequent winner on his Rules debut in January, despite having to carry a 7lb penalty. Es Perfecto is entitled to improve for his recent placed effort at Kempton, while any market support for either of Hometown Hero or Staithes would have to be noted on their first start under Rules.
Prediction : 1st Red Rookie 2nd Es Perfecto 3rd Hometown Hero