Tuesday Racing Tips: Solray ready to shine at Newcastle

We have a fairly quiet Tuesday on our hands in the UK and Ireland, with just three meetings taking place across the afternoon and into the evening.

First off is Taunton, before they go at Market Rasen and the day’s action is completed with an evening meeting at Wolverhampton.

Amongst our Tuesday fancies is one for trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam, who is being sent on the long trip up to Newcastle and could still be unexposed.

15:40 Taunton - Into The Park @ 13/8

The door is open for a horse with some secrets from the handicapper in this competitive affair and Phillip Hobbs’ handicap debutant Into The Park certainly fits the bill.

A son of Walk In The Park, the five-year-old has only had three starts to date over hurdles and managed to get off the mark in good style at Newbury last time out.

It was an eye-catching performance that day as he was noticeably keen in the early stages of the race. He clearly possesses an engine as he had plenty of fuel left in the tank at the business end of the race.

Michael Nolan eased him down in the final 110 yards and the gelding still managed to score by eight lengths. He’s entitled to continue improving and the switch to handicaps can facilitate further progress.

Third behind Epatante’s half-sister over course and distance on his penultimate start, that suggests there was no fluke about his latest performance and 120 looks like a reasonable opening mark. A big run is expected and there should be plenty more to come.

15:55 Market Rasen - Royale Dance @ 9/4

Noel Williams’ Royale Dance returned to winning ways on just her second start for this yard at Leicester last time out and that victory should be a massive confidence-booster.

The daughter of Muhtathir travelled like a dream and the race was over before the second last flight. She pulled clear to win by over eight lengths and the handicapper has responded by allotting her a reasonable 6lb rise in the weights.

It’s fair to say that the extra weight wouldn’t have stopped her that day and, if she reproduces a similar effort here, she should be bang in the mix once again.

Her cosy victory at Hexham on hurdling debut back in November 2022 for previous connections suggested that she had plenty of potential and, although she hasn’t quite lived up to that, winning more races in this sort of grade should be no problem at all.

18:30 Newcastle - Solray @ 2/1

Look out for Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Solray at Newcastle, as this four-year-old colt is lightly raced in handicaps and there could well be more to come.

The son of New Bay finished second and third in two starts on turf, but switching to the all-weather and Newcastle in particular has facilitated plenty of improvement.

He got off the mark in impressive fashion over course and distance in September, when pulling clear to win a novice event by four lengths. Having been held up in the early stages of the race, he improved his position to lead before the furlong pole and the result never looked in doubt.

Chapple-Hyam’s colt got off to a slow start on handicap debut next time, but kept on well and wasn’t beaten far despite finishing fifth. He had no such issues last time out and was a comfortable winner here at Newcastle once again.

The handicapper has responded with a 7lb rise for that latest win, but he should be capable of continuing on his current upward trajectory.