Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday's racing coming your way from Ascot, Haydock Park, Bagor-on-Dee and Kempton Park on 6 September 2024.
ASCOT
Race 2 No7 ISAMBARD BRUNEL (Nap)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
ISAMBARD BRUNEL is an imposing specimen who looks a galloper rather than a colt with a turn of foot. That was evident in his Newbury debut where after being ridden prominently he fell away to finish just out of the money. That said, the run could have brought him on in bundles, while this stiff track should play to his strengths.
Race 4 No2 FORT AUGUSTUS
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
Hills is being parsimonious with his runners but FORT AUGUSTUS can claim a cheque for his trainer in this 1200 metres novice. The son of Blue Point made a good impression when like Isambard Brunel he finished on the heels of the principals on debut at Newmarket. He could easily step up sufficiently to trouble the best of his rivals here.
Race 5 No6 PEARLE D’OR (Each Way)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
PEARLE D’OR discovered his best form at around this time last season and showed a particular liking for Ascot. Four 2024 outings have proved almost fruitless, but he’s definitely one to have on your side in the coming weeks, and this could be his day.
Race 7 No5 JIMMY SPEAKING
Trainer: Chris Dwyer – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
JIMMY SPEAKING is of serious interest in the nightcap run up the final seven furlongs of the straight mile. He pluckily landed a Class4 over 1200 metres here in the spring, and following a couple of outings in June has had his mark preserved in a subsequent break. With the move up to 1400 metres set to suit, he can with a big run endorse his position as his veteran handler’s flagship horse.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 1 No12 SCOTTISH REEL (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Andrew Mullen
For all his inexperience SCOTTISH REEL could have a big say in the outcome of a competitive opener. The son of Highland Reel has given the assessor little to go on but as he’s sure to be all the better for the belated return to the fray at Windsor that earned him a mark, he might have been let in lightly, especially as this move up to a mile and a half can prove beneficial.
Race 6 No9 PUMALIN PARK (Each Way)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Tom Marquand
PUMALIN PARK opened his account in a Class5 at Salisbury in June and was far from disgraced when claiming a minor cheque in a higher grade at Newmarket last time. He’s up another notch in grade for this Class3 but went well in his final work for the race, suggesting he can profit.
BANGOR-ON-DEE
Race 5 No1 MR MACKAY (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
MR MACKAY is very interesting competing off top weight in a first outing over fences. He was regularly in the money in Class2 and Class3 handicap hurdles and has schooled well for the switch of obstacles. He’s tuned up for this first run since April and should prove hard to beat.
Race 7 No3 MOTAZZEN (Each Way)
Trainer: Henrietta Knight – Jockey: Brendan Powell
MOTAZZEN left the best until last in a fruitless first season with Knight, his second to Ambassador at Uttoxeter in July being the closest he got in nine outings split between hurdling and the Flat. Although no star, he looks weighted to have a say in this weak race at a course where his trainer saddled her first winner.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 1 No6 FITZMAURICE (Nap)
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Cieren Fallon
FITZMAURICE attracted support on his Newbury introduction, and though staying on past beaten horses was unable to trouble the judge. The Wootton Bassett colt has learned plenty from that initial experience, giving himself the chance in this first run round a bend to get into the shake-up.
Race 3 No1 AMILOC
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
AMILOC was heavily supported before converting on his first run at this track over 1400 metres. He reappears over a suitably longer trip under a penalty, but has a much better draw than market rival Green Storm and can remain unbeaten.
Race 4 No7 PREVAIL
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
Ulysses filly PREVAIL was easy in the market and occupied only a midfield finish on her Yarmouth introduction. She’s worked well on a Polytrack surface in Newmarket, and can raise her game to earn in a maiden that might not take too much winning.
Place Accumalator Perm (Races 1-7)
6, 4 x 1 x 1 x 7, 8 x 1 x 5, 6, 7 x 2, 4
R24
