Neil Morrice – Best Bets & Tips – 10 July 2021

NEWMARKET

Race 1 No9 SIGNORINA MERISI (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Martin Harley

Caravaggio filly SIGNORINA MERISI put in an underwhelming performance on Newbury debut while running on in the closing stages after the birds had flown. Like so many juveniles from this stable she could show a lot of improvement with the benefit of an introductory run.

Race 5 No9 AMETIST
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand

AMETIST is on the crest of a wave and may have the wherewithal to make it four from four this year in the historic Banbury Cup. TheDutch Art gelding is showcasing the promise shown in just a couple of outings as a two-year-old, and in an admittedly hot heat can have the measure of top weight Motakhayyel and Fundamental.

Prediction: 1st AMETIST, 2nd Motakhayyel, 3rd Fundamental

Race 6 DARLEY JULY CUP (Group 1)

No1 ART POWER (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa

ART POWER displayed dazzling speed for all but the final 100 metres of the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, finishing third to the now sidelined Dream Of Dreams. If the grey can put in a more controlled performance he can again finish in the money, before cutting back to five furlongs at the Goodwood and York fixtures later in the summer. Starman could probe a fly in the ointment on the back of his success in a Group 2 at York in a May, though he’s coming back from an enforced break and may not be totally race sharp. Dragon Symbol was demoted after beating Campanelle in the Commonwealth Cup and needs to be taken seriously, a comment that equally applies to King’s Stand Stakes winner Oxted.

Prediction: 1st ART POWER, 2nd Dragon Symbol, 3rd Starman, 4th Oxted

YORK

Race 2 John Smith’s Silver Cup (Group 3)

No3 HUKUM (Nap)
Trainer: Owen Burrows – Jockey: Jim Crowley

HUKUM can show his appreciation for a class drop in the day’s feature. The son of Sea The Stars went down by three lengths to Wonderful Tonight in the Hardwicke Stakes after travelling best for much of the journey and is developing into a useful middle-distance performer who can go on to better things. The one that could run above his starting price and demands a saver is Quickthorn, winner of a handicap at the Royal meeting, but now stepping up the ladder.

Race 4 No7 ATOMIC LADY
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan

ATOMIC LADY appeals as a filly that can do well in nurseries following three solid earning efforts so far. She impressed when opening her account at Ripon last time, and does not appear harshly treated on this first handicap venture.

Race 5 No11 ASTRO KING
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: PJ McDonald

The big betting extravaganza of the day is the John Smith’s Cup in which ASTRO KING is carded to go off favourite, and rightly so. He was the subject of a big gamble for the Royal Hunt Cup, and looked unlucky to run into what turned out to be a handicap snip in Real World. Although no match for that runaway winner, he beat the remainder fair and square, and with a profile that resonates consistency, can make a bold fist of going one better. At a bigger price Surrey Pride deserves inclusion in all exotics, while Aaddeey ran well at Ascot and will be hard to keep out of the money.

Prediction: 1st ASTRO KING, 2nd Aaddeey, 3rd Surrey Pride

ASCOT

Race 3 Betfred Summer Mile (Group 2)

No6 REGAL REALITY (Each Way)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote

The now six-year-old REGAL REALITY is the joker in this pack, and capable of raising his game if in the right frame of mind. While unable to make a telling blow in the Queen Anne here last month, he has hinted in his work that it did him the power of good, and that he’ll be straighter for it. At a double figure price Happy Power is one that could get into the shake-up, having run a cracker in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee over an inadequate trip. Sir Busker loves this track, is down in grade and can also be involved.

Prediction: 1st REGAL REALITY, 2nd Happy Power, 3rd Sir Busker

Race 4 No13 SIGNIFICANTLY
Trainer: Karl Burke – Jockey: Clifford Lee

SIGNIFICANTLY did us a good turn when scoring at the Royal meeting here and on just a fifth outing of the year can surely build on that. The colt has limited experience in handicaps and this is competitive, but for his narrow success over Boomshalaa last month he exuded gritty determination.

Race 6 No8 SURREY GOLD (Nap)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Richard Kingscote

Connections of SURREY GOLD are hoping for drying conditions, having taken the Go,den Horn colt out of his intended race here last month at the eleventh hour. With hat-trick seeker Dhushan also in the field this is a red hot three-year-old handicap, but Surrey Gold was hugely impressive when last ween at Newbury back in May, while his trainer is a dab hand with his handicappers at this course.

CHESTER

Race 7 No3 CUBAN DANCER (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Oliver Stammers

After some disappointing efforts CUBAN DANCER delivered in style at Beverley. He will be more streetwise to this unique course than when running moderately here last month and could take plenty of pegging back.