Neil Morrice brings us his best bets and tips for Haydock Park, Newbury, Nottingham, Hamilton Park and Newmarket on Friday 16 July 2021.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 1 No6 STEEL AN ICON (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: George Bass
Multiple scorer STEEL AN ICON had her sequence halted when beaten in a head bob over course and distance last time. A winner of her previous four starts, the Sixties Icon filly might have won had her jockey elected to try to cash in on a big early lead rather than giving his mount a breather at halfway. Back in the saddle today, he will be determined not to make the same mistake.
Race 7 No7 NINE TALES
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
Kingman colt NINE TALES needs to show he’s ready after an eight-month absence, but his form stands up to the closest inspection. When second on debut at Kempton he went down narrowly to the more experienced Bullace, after attracting market support. If he can build on that he will be hard to beat.
NEWBURY
Race 2 No6 HARROW (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
The eye in this interesting novice stakes is drawn to Reach For The Moon, but one that can give him plenty to think about at a longer price is HARROW. The grey stepped up considerably from debut to chase home Great Max at Newbury, and will probably benefit from today’s slightly longer trip.
Race 3 No11 MAJESTIC GLORY (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Hellene and Banshee both showed promise on their respective introductions but MAJESTIC GLORY could improve past them. The daughter of Frankel failed to cut the mustard on debut at Windsor but has shown in her work that the experience has brought her forward.
Race 5 No1 BOND CHAIRMAN
Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: Graham Lee
This Listed feature can go to sole Northern raider BOND CHAIRMAN. The Kodiac colt has good form at this level, as his fourth placing in Royal Ascot’s Windsor Castle Stakes bears out. He faces stern opposition from hat-trick seeker Bosh but can see off that rival on the way to better things.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 2 No8 WHISTLEDOWN
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Thore Hammer Hansen
The light-framed WHISTLEDOWN has always promised to find her niche in nurseries, and though her stable is enduring a quiet spell, looks worth chancing. She still appeared green when fourth at Ripon, suggesting she can progress.
Race 4 No3 POSSIBLE MAN (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: David Probert
On just a fifth career start POSSIBLE MAN can step up to the plate. The son of Le Havre has been freshened up since a disappointing effort at Sandown and can start to live up to the promise shown in his juvenile campaign.
Race 5 No1 STAR SEEKING
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: David Probert
From the same stable, STAR SEEKING can shrug aside a 7lb penalty to remain unbeaten. The Gleneagles filly scored on debut in a Leicester novice last summer and has been given plenty of time to come to herself. Her recent work has been encouraging, suggesting she can floor likely favourite Sweet Believer.
HAMILTON PARK
Race 2 No5 MADAME BONBON
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Ben Curtis
All five in this maiden have claims of sorts, each having troubled the judge at least once, but MADAME BONBON is outstanding on the strength of her second to Sadmah at Haydock. Having subsequently put in another sound earning run at Carlisle, she can play the experience card to good effect and open her account.
Race 5 No3 TITLE (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: Cameron Noble
The nicest horse on view at the Glasgow suburbs track is TITLE. Nothing works as well as the Camelot colt at home, and that manifests itself on the course as he always travels strongly. Placed in a Group 2 at Royal Ascot last time, his form claims are outstanding. He downed a useful rival in Sea Karats on his previous outing at Yarmouth and just needs to repeat what he’s already shown to take out this Listed feature.
NEWMARKET
Race 4 No1 HYDROS (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
The quickening ground conditions that has reduced field sizes should not inhibit the impeccably-bred HYDROS on his first start following wind surgery. The Frankel colt returns from a more than nine-month absence but if running to the standard of his impressive home work will be very hard to beat.
Race 6 No5 LOVELY BREEZE
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: James Doyle
Following her much deserved first win of the season at this course, and with the blinkers that assisted her retained, LOVELY BREEZE can consolidate. The Sepoy filly galloped all the way to the line, and from her revised mark is in a good place to follow-up.
Place Accumulater Perm (Races 1-7)
2 x 2 x 4 x 1 x 5, 1 x 5 x 1, 3, 9
R6
