Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing at Wolverhampton, Brighton, Uttoxeter and Pontefract.
Wolverhampton Best Bet
Race 4: FORUS (3) (Each Way)
Trainer: Jaime Osborne
Jockey: Nicola Currie
Although not able to get into the money FORUS caught my eye on his Lingfield debut and could easily leave that effort a fair way behind. As a 25-1 roughie he dwelt at the start but when straightening kept on encouragingly to finish only four and a half lengths adrift of the winner Miss Matterhorn. This might not be the warmest of heats in which case FORUS can get into the shake-up.
Brighton Best Bets
Race 3: MOMENTARILY (3)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Callum Shepherd
Since changing stables MOMENTARILY showed a first modicum of ability when third in a Class 6 here a week ago and now drops back in trip but up in grade. The hood she wears at home is not evident but this is a poor race and if she can find even a small amount of improvement she can prevail.
Race 4:: YOU’RE HIRED (1)
Trainer: Amanda Perrett
Jockey: Pat Dobbs
The giant YOU’RE HIRED has to look back a long way to his last win but his trainer appears to have find a terrific chance for him in a race that is sure to turn into a tactical battle. He wasn’t beaten far when posting a mid-division finish at this level on the Kempton Polytrack last month and he just gets the nod over recent Newcastle scorer Francophilia.
Uttoxeter Best Bets
Race 2: PACIFY (2)
Trainer: Jamie Snowden
Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
This features some interesting prospects but now that he’s shown he can cut the mustard over hurdles, PACIFY should prove very hard to beat for a stable that is in form and gave us a nice winner on Sunday. The 7yo was easily the best of these on the Flat and has his tail up after getting up close home to beat Purple King, who is a good yardstick, at Southwell.
Race 7: TAKINGITALLIN (3)
Trainer: Donald McCain
Jockey: W Kennedy
Three in this mares’ handicap hurdle are last time out winners but the one with the best credentials is TAKINGITALLIN. She has placed in each of her last six outings and when scoring at Newton Abbot last time made every yard without ever looking like being reeled in. It is an open race but she should have the measure of Slaine and Organdi.
Pontefract Best Bets
Race 3: PATTIE (9) (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Ben Curtis
With form lines tieing in a number of these the race cries out value and PATTIE will give us that in abundance. There’s not much to choose between her and Colin Coulis on Chelmsford running back in March and my selection ran well back there as a 50-1 shot in the race won by Billesdon Brook last month. She has also shown a liking for this track, having placed in the corresponding race 12 months ago.
Race 5: MECCA’S GIFT (5)
Trainer: Michael Dods
Jockey: Conor Beasley
MECCA’S GIFT hails from a family that get better with age and following a wide margin triumph at Hamilton, for which she carries a 6lb penalty, she can go in again. The blinkered 3yo faces interesting opposition from Li Kai and Garrison Commander but after that seven lengths demolition job she can take this step up the class ladder in her stride.
