Neil Morrice brings you all of his best bets and tips from Saturday’s racing at Sandown Park, Leicester, Haydock Park, Beverley, and Carlisle.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 2 No4 CAME FROM THE DARK
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Tom Marquand
CAME FROM THE DARK has looked a different horse since returning on the back of a wind operation and being gelded to run well in each of his three starts in 2021. The grey must be looked upon as unlucky not to have beaten Lazuli in the Palace House Stakes in which he suffered an impaired run, and has a racing style that will surely lend itself to this stiff track. He has a great chance of taking his revenge on Lazuli, who has to concede 3lb.
Race 5 CORAL-ECLIPSE (Group 1)
No4 ST MARK’S BASILICA
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
The last time such a small field gathered for the historic Eclipse Stakes was when Mill Reef beat Caro way back in 1971. It’s impossible for any of the four runners to reach the heights of that great champion, but it does contain two French Derby winners as well as a French Guineas hero, not to mention a dual Group 1 winner in Australia who landed the Champion Stakes at Ascot last autumn, and a Saudi Cup winner that took out the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March. In order, the three main protagonists are ST MARK’S BASILICA, Addeybb and Mishriff.
St Mark’s Basilica has a first outing outside France this year, having taken out their Guineas at Longchamp and Derby at Chantilly. The son of Siyouni enjoys a healthy weight concession from his older foes, and can add to the excellent record of three-year-olds in this. The William Haggas-trained Addeybb scooped his Group 1s Down Under beating Verry Elleegant in the same race at Randwick in 2020 and 2021.
His chance would improve should the ground soften, and thunderstorms are part of an unclear forecast in the next 24 hours. Mishriff is the winner of all but one of his six career starts for John and Thady Gosden and like St Mark’s Basilica competes on English soil for the first time this season.
Prediction: 1st ST MARK’S BASILICA, 2nd Addeybb, 3rd Mishriff
Race 7 No1 RUN TO FREEDOM (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
I’m looking forward to RUN TO FREEDOM on his return to Sandown for this Class 3. The son of sprint champion Muhaarar possibly did just too much in front when yielding to Silent Film’s late thrust last month, and if consenting to settle can go one better and set himself up for a bountiful summer ahead.
LEICESTER
Race 1 No7 FLASH BETTY (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
Now contesting humble sellers after ruining her chance on her last three outings by hanging, FLASH BETTY is worth risking under a new pilot who has ridden the filly at home. The selection ran far better than her finishing position suggests here in May, and contested one of the best sellers run this year at York when last seen.
Race 4 No2 PORTFOLIO
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Pat Dobbs
Deep Impact filly PORTFOLIO was only a length and a half behind Irish Legend at Newcastle last time, and should appreciate this switch back to grass. She has scope for improvement on only her fifth career start, and can halt the hat-trick bid of Jewel In My Crown.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 2 No2 DHUSHAN (Nap)
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
After a couple of costly defeats, DHUSHAN showed that the penny had dropped when trotting up in a novice here and then gaining a snug victory on handicap debut at Musselburgh. Returning to a track that suits him, the grey can prove a worthy favourite and complete a hat-trick.
Race 4 No17 LONGSIDER
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
The Old Newton Cup is ferociously competitive, with potentially well-treated contenders like Grand Bazaar, Valyrian Steel, and My Frankel taking the eye. However, the gaze is drawn to lightly-raced and well-weighted improver LONGSIDER, who greatly impressed on seasonal return and first outing for the Prescott stable at Lingfield. On what is only the Ruler Of The World gelding’s fourth career start he’s now ready to take a class jump and bag a race worth over £50,000 to the winner.
Race 7 No6 SIR TITUS
Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: Graham Lee
SIR TITUS is the least experienced runner in this sprint handicap, but his claims are second to none. He opened his account with something up his sleeve at Newcastle back in January, and returned to gamely pip Navajo Spring on turf debut at Redcar. With a pedigree that’s all about speed, he can give short shrift to his foes.
BEVERLEY
Race 1 No1 UNCS (Nap)
Trainer: George Boughey – Jockey: Nicola Currie
If in the same form as when scoring over course and distance last month, UNCS will be very hard to beat under a penalty. He simply destroyed the opposition and looks an exciting addition to the juvenile ranks.
Race 7 No2 CUBAN DANCER
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Joe Fanning
CUBAN DANCER wasn’t beaten that far in a Class 4 at Chester last time, having troubled the judge in each of his three previous outings this season. A poor draw hampered his cause on the Roodee but breaking from the rail tonight could see him dominate, as so many of his trainer’s horses do.
CARLISLE
Race 4 No4 ZORAVAN (Nap)
Trainer: Keith Dalgleish – Jockey: Billy Garrity
ZORAVAN has looked unlucky not to win this season and deserves a change of luck. He’s often denied racing real estate at crucial moments, but if enjoying the ‘rub’ tonight can swoop to conquer up the steep finish.
