Neil Morrice brings you all of his best bets and tips from Tuesday’s racing from Epsom, Ripon, Newton Abbot and Hexham.
EPSOM
Race 1 No7 BONITA B (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand
Perennial bridesmaid BONITA B is well drawn to attack in this nursery run round a left-handed bend into the home straight. The Oasis Dream filly takes her racing well, and though a tad disappointing at Leicester a fortnight ago is poised to bounce back.
Race 5 No5 HEY TEACHER (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
As the least exposed runner in this all-aged handicap, HEY TEACHER can follow-up his Ffos Las novice stakes success on debut in this sphere. The gelding engaged in what was a penalty kick to score at that Welsh venue and now has the added assistance of champion jockey Murphy in the irons.
RIPON
Race 3 No4 SHAMLAAN
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
Mehmas colt SHAMLAAN takes the eye in this competitive nursery. His success on handicap debut at Musselburgh has been endorsed by the recent success of runner-up Bungley. With further progression on the cards, he should get into the shake-up.
Race 7 No2 NEAR KETTERING (Nap)
Trainer: Sam England – Jockey: Cam Hardie
Although he hasn’t run on the Flat for more than 600 days, NEAR KETTERING is the one to beat following a wide margin handicap hurdle triumph at Market Rasen two weeks ago. He’s potentially very well in, and can follow-up.
NEWTON ABBOT
Race 2 No5 PETERBOROUGH
Trainer: Evan Williams – Jockey: Adam Wedge
Williams enjoys his forays to the West Country from his base in Wales, and has a good chance of taking out this handicap chase with PETERBOROUGH. The selection completed a fine hat-trick around this time last year, and while finding it harder when switched to full handicaps, signaled with a near miss at this course last week that he’s on the cusp of a return to winning ways.
Race 5 No2 SIZING CUSIMANO (Nap)
Trainer: Colin Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
With figures of 33112 in his five races through the spring and summer, SIZING CUSIMANO has plenty going for him on his first visit to Newton Abbot. The blinkered eight-year-old has a good record at Uttoxeter, and with his preference for going left-handed should be right at home on this track.
Race 6 No11 COURT DANCER
Trainer: Evan Williams – Jockey: Adam Wedge
COURT DANCER can help make it a good day for this stable by returning from a short break to follow-up his Uttoxeter success in early July. The six-year-old needs time between his races, and it’s therefore not off putting that this is his first run for almost two months.
HEXHAM
Race 1 No2 KENSINGTON ART
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Theo Gillard
KENSINGTON ART attracted on course support when chasing home Golfe Clair at Sedgefield, and should if repeating that level of form be able to open his account over jumps in what looks a straight match with Art Man.
Race 3 No2 MR TAMBOURINE MAN (Nap)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Tom Scudamore
MR TAMBOURINE MAN can make the long journey from Somerset a rewarding one, and notch a first success since moving from Ireland to Pond House Stables. The Galileo gelding put in a best run yet for connections when second at Worcester, and that’s set him up perfectly for the switch to handicaps he makes today.
Race 5 No1 SEA PRINCE
Trainer: Alex Hales – Jockey: Harry Bannister
As a lightly-raced five-year-old, SEA PRINCE has scope to do better as a hurdler before his attentions are switched to fences. The top weight opened his account at this course last autumn and was having only a second subsequent outing when gamely obliging at Cartmel at the end of June. He’s a horse that enjoys a break between his races, and is fresh and fancied to follow-up.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)
2 x 5, 3 x 2, 5 x 3 x 1, 2 x 7, 3, 6 x 4, 1
R48
