Neil Morrice brings you his best bets & tips from Doncaster, Chester, Sandown Park, and Salisbury.
DONCASTER DAY 3
Race 3 Wainwright Flying Childers Stakes (Group 2)
No1 ARMOR (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Ryan Moore
ARMOR hasn’t done much wrong in four career starts, showing a liking for this course with a snug debut success, finishing just out of the money in the money in the Windsor Castle, stylishly landing the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood and making the frame in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville. The No Nay Never colt should relish conditions in this Group 2 dash, and prove a worthy favourite.
Race 4 Doncaster Cup (Group 2)
No2 STRADIVARIUS
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Frankie Dettori
STRADIVARIUS had to battle to get his career back on track when thwarting Spanish Mission in the Lonsdale at York. He now finds himself with a more straightforward assignment and can repeat his 2019 triumph in this historic race. The Sea The Stars entire should be more at home on these quickest conditions than main market rival Trueshan, leaving Rodrigo Diaz as a possible exacta horse at much longer odds.
Prediction: 1st STRADIVARIUS, 2nd Rodrigo Diaz, 3rd Trueshan
Race 5 No9 HMS PRESIDENT (Each Way)
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton – Jockey: Ryan Moore
HMS PRESIDENT spoiled his chance by pulling too hard from close to the pace in the mile and a half handicap at York. This most consistent of operators has Ryan Moore in the irons for the first time, and if settling the gelding looks set for another frame finish, with Sovereign Duke one to note in the betting following his improved display last time.
Race 6 No7 CHAIRMANOFTHEBOARD (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: David Egan
Any rain would boost the chances of CHAIRMANOFTHEBOARD, who after a number of quietly likeable efforts is a winner waiting to happen. While he operates on good ground, the terrain was too quick for him at Newmarket two starts back, and he got no run at Thirsk last time. As a hold-up performer he also requires racing real estate at the business end of his races, but if getting it can make this a first success in more than a year.
CHESTER
Race 4 No9 NEBULOSO
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
The hooded NEBULOSO represents a trainer with a fine record at the track, as well as being perfectly berthed to get a handy early position. The daughter of Archipenko has given signals she’s ready to regain the winning habit.
Race 5 No4 HAPAP (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
Dark Angel colt HAPAP has the wherewithal to make winning improvement in this maiden and rates the best bet on the card. He put in an eye taking first effort when just out of the money at Sandown, and is bred to enjoy the step up in trip.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 6 No6 PEARL BAY
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: George Rooke
PEARL BAY didn’t go unpacked when scoring on second start at Salisbury but couldn’t make the step up the class ladder when well held at Newmarket last time. She cuts back to seven furlongs for this first run in a handicap, and a big earning run is in the offing.
Race 7 No1 SKY POWER (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Ron Hornby
Top weight SKY POWER has never failed to step up to the plate, taking home a cheque in each of his six career starts spanning almost two years. While not without issues, he can be relied upon to deliver on the track, and on just a second run for his current trainer can do just that.
SALISBURY
Race 5 No2 QUICKTHORN (Each Way)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Cieren Fallon
QUICKTHORN is taken to make a race of it with odds-on Berkshire Rocco in a race that remembers staying stalwart Persian Punch. The selection boasts a Royal Ascot triumph on his CV as well as a narrow defeat in the ultra-competitive Ebor Handicap at York. He could easily become a Group horse over Cup distances next year and if there’s any weakness in the favourite, who is returning from a break, he can exploit it.
Race 6 No5 TRES SPECIALE (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Hector Crouch
The best bet on the card is TRES SPECIALE who is surely destined to take out this nightcap. The Siyouni filly proved costly to her supporters when turned over at long odds-on at Carlisle, but should be afforded another chance, and can open her account.
