Horse Racing Tips: Bella bliss!

There are six scheduled meetings across the UK and Ireland on Wednesday - they race at Thirsk, Uttoxeter and Bath in the afternoon, as well as at Killarney, Yarmouth and Ffos Las in the evening.

I've picked out three to follow including a mare with decent claims in the concluding handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter for my horse racing tips for Wednesday, July 17.

Today's Horse Races

14:40 Uttoxeter - Masked Artist @ 25/1

The first selection is MASKED ARTIST in the second division of the Class 4 2m Mares' Maiden Hurdle from Uttoxeter, representing Robert Bevis with Gavin Sheehan in the saddle.

Sheehan is a notable 5-25 (20 per cent +£48.88) when riding for Bevis and Masked Artist holds better claims than a first glance may indicate.

The selection finished fourth, fifth and second in three Irish points between November 2021 and April 2022. Her one-length second to Moviddy at Dromahane in April 2022 stands out in this company. Moviddy has won twice over hurdles subsequently and registered an RPR of 125 over fences in January.

She was pulled up after a 771-day absence on her hurdles debut at Cartmel in May, but returns from another small break with the aid of a first-time tongue-tie and is capable of outrunning her odds.

15:40 Uttoxeter - Jean Genie @ 11/2

JEAN GENIE is thought capable of gaining a deserved first chasing success under Rules in the Class 5 3m2f Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter, representing Tim Vaughan.

Vaughan had a novice hurdler run second at the previous meeting at this course and Jean Genie stayed on into second over a slightly shorter trip on decent ground here last month.

The eight-year-old Turgeon gelding features off a mark of 90 having registered a peak Racing Post Rating (RPR) of 120 over fences on heavy ground at Taunton in February 2021 during a period of going close in chases under Rules without hitting the target, including 11 seconds and thirds.

The selection won a 3m point-to-point on good to soft ground at Friars Haugh in March, though, and the step up in trip on an easier surface seems likely to suit on this second start back over regulation fences.

This is an Extra Place race, therefore Betfred will be paying 4 places instead of 3 at 1/5 odds.

17:45 Uttoxeter - Bluebella @ 4/1

BLUEBELLA makes significant appeal in the second division of the Class 5 2m4f Handicap Hurdle at Uttoxeter, representing Tom Lacey with Sam Twiston-Davies in the saddle.

The six-year-old mare by the French sire Blue Bresil finished a close second over this course and distance in June 2023 and ran third over the same course and distance from a 4lb higher mark that August.

She was then fifth over a slightly longer trip on easier ground at Uttoxeter in September, before returning to competitive form after a break when sixth over an extended 2m2f on quick ground at Stratford earlier this month.

The September Uttoxeter form on easier ground has been significantly franked since. The winner is now rated 25lb higher following two more wins and the third and fourth have also done plenty for the form.

The return to this intermediate distance should suit the selection, back on easier ground at this venue.

Lacey is 23-133 (17 per cent +£9.20) on this course and Twiston-Davies is 2-14 (14 per cent) when riding for the yard.

This is an Extra Place race, therefore Betfred will be paying 4 places instead of 3 at 1/5 odds.

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