Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday's racing coming your way from Newbury, Newmarket, Thirsk and Doncaster on 18 May 2024.
NEWBURY
Race 2 No11 ADAAY IN DEVON
Trainer: Rod Millman – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
This Listed sprint provides a good blend of ability from both sexes but ADAAY IN DEVON can put one on the board for the girls and give her veteran trainer lots to look forward to in the weeks ahead. The selections was a clear cut winner of a Listed race at Bath and didn’t enjoy the rub of the green in an Ascot Group 3 won by Jasour. She gives every impression that she’s still operating on an upward curve, and can repel the challenge of last season’s Super Sprint winner Relief Rally.
Race 3 No3 KING’S GAMBIT
Trainer: Harry Charlton – Jockey: William Buick
Beckhampton runners in this sizzling three-year-old only handicap have a good record over the years, and KING’S GAMBIT can uphold that tradition. The Saxon Warrior colt obtained his mark with three visits to this course resulting in a first success in August and a narrow defeat when last seen in September. He appeals as a horse to follow, and one that could go on to even better things.
Race 4 AL SHAQAB LOCKINGE STAKES (Group 1)
No9 ROYAL SCOTSMAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Breeders’ Cup winner INSPIRAL bids to lengthen her winning sequence at four and the only distaffer in the field could make life tough for her rivals. Enthusiasm is tempered by the fact that she normally needs a run back, with attention also drawn to last season’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner BIG ROCK on debut for Maurizio Guarnieri. The son of Rock Of Gibraltar had to play second fiddle to Inspiral in the Jacques Le Marois at Deauville, but is considered more than ready for this mouth watering rematch.
CHARYN has looked an improved performer in his two 2024 starts for Roger Varian while the Simon Crisford-trained POKER FACE also needs to be taken seriously. If there’s a joker in the pack then ROYAL SCOTSMAN fits the bill. Last season’s 2,000 Guineas third was nursing a problem when underwhelming on his other two starts in a season that had to be cut short. But he’s come back to show all his old sparkle at Whatcombe, and absolutely flew in his winding up gallop on Summerdown whilst clocking a time that stamps him as ready to get back in the game.
Race 5 No5 FERROUS (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
FERROUS can demonstrate that he’s a new boy on the sprinting black ready to head towards the upper echelons of that division. The grey switches to turf after all-weather successes at Wolverhampton and Kempton gained with eye-taking efficiency. Now asked to strut his stuff in a Class 2, he is a bet I’m looking forward to, with Probert remaining in the hot seat. His work has been of a high order, and necessitated an entry for a Group 1 at Royal Ascot…….let’s see.
Race 6 No7 METAL MERCHANT
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
METAL MERCHANT leap frogged an opportunity at York to return to the scene of his Spring Cup triumph owing to unsuitable going on the Knavesmire. Today’s terrain should be perfect for the Make Believe gelding who produced a smart turn of foot for his C/D success and can again use it to telling effect at the business end of the contest.
NEWMARKET
Race 7 No4 TIRIAC (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
TIRIAC raised his game under a peach of a ride to score at Windsor where he reacted positively to a pair of cheek pieces. He’s up in the weights, but Bass’s 3lb claim can prove a useful asset and enable him to follow up.
THIRSK
Race 4 No4 NIGHT HORN
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Joshua Parr
NIGHT HORN showed promise in two juvenile outings in the colours of a top patron of Park House Stables. The Golden Horn colt can make life difficult for the penalised Los Toldos.
Race 7 No13 MOUNT KING (Each Way)
MOUNT KING needed his first run of the season when easy to back. That effort has put an edge on the four-year-old, who is well-treated and should do better.
DONCASTER
Race 4 No3 KIND OF BLUE (Nap)
Trainer: James Fanshawe – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
KIND OF BLUE is closely related to the high-class Deacon Blues, who excelled for Fanshawe, and after scoring at the first time of asking at Kempton could have the extra required to thwart Ananda, the only other winner in the field.
