Neil Morrice Best Bets & Tips – Friday 20 August 2021

Race 1 No12 HMS PRESIDENT (Each Way)
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton – Jockey: William Buick

HMS PRESIDENT has knocked on the door in back-to-back handicaps at Doncaster and Ascot and deserves a change of luck. He’s looked more assured since cheek pieces were fitted, while its worth noting his jockey has won on four of his five rides for the owners.

Race 2 Weatherby’s Hamilton Lonsdale Cup (Group 3)

No2 SPANISH MISSION
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: William Buick

All eyes will be on Stradivarius as the champion stayer attempts to get his season back on track in a class drop. However, the signs of deterioration in the Gold Cup leave him with work to do against SPANISH MISSION, who in finishing third to the now sidelined Subjectivist at Ascot had the champ in his wake. Spanish Mission skipped the Goodwood Cup when the ground turned testing but should find underfoot conditions ideal for what would be a deserved triumph, and one that can tee him up for a repeat bid at next month’s Doncaster Cup.

Race 3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2)

No5 FEARBY
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: PJ McDonald

Local runners should always be respected in the Gimcrack, one reason why I’m siding with Middleham-based FEARBY to take home the historic contest. The selection probably ran into a Group 1 horse when beaten by Armor in the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood. Armor’s stablemate Lusail is a potential thorn in his side today, while Coventry Stakes winner Berkshire Shadow must be respected, but Fearby is reported to have thrived since his last run and can regain the winning thread and give his rookie trainer a first Pattern race winner.

Race 4 COOLMORE WOOTTON BASSETT NUNTHORPE STAKES (Group 1)

No7 GOLDEN PAL (Nap)
Trainer: Wesley Ward – Jockey: Frankie Dettori

This sizzling sprint can see GOLDEN PAL living up to the accolades held for him by his buoyant American connections. The son of Uncle Mo was an impressive winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint and also delighted trainer award when readying himself for this with a slick comeback triumph at Saratoga. He meets both older and younger rivals today, of whom Suesa and Dragon Symbol rate the main threats. Suesa showed her Commonwealth Cup flop to be all wrong when bolting up in Goodwood’s King George Stakes, and if it rains that will be all to her advantage. Dragon Symbol has three lengths to find on the latter from that race, but could make more of a race of it if enjoying racing room in the closing stages.

Prediction: 1st GOLDEN PAL, 2nd Suesa, 3rd Dragon Symbol

Race 5 No10 HOO YA MAL (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy

This Convivial Maiden Stakes has been known to throw up a Classic prospect, and with 17 runners it has an ultra-competitive look. Velazquez and Broadspear take the eye as potential market leaders, but preference is for HOO YA MAL. The Territories colt handled the very testing ground well when third on his Sandown introduction, and with rain in the forecast is a horse you want to be with.

Race 6 No5 ACHELOIS
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy

ACHELOIS has proved an owner’s dream with her three successes and a second in her last four outings. The daughter of Zoffany put in her best run when taking out a Class 2 on soft ground at Goodwood, getting the trip well on that step up to a mile and a quarter. She faces several equally in form foes but should get the better of Sea La Rosa and Umneyaat.

Race 7 No1 ALDAARY
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Dane O’Neill

ALDAARY has figured in back-to-back finishes to strongly contested Class 2s at Ascot since losing his unbeaten record at Goodwood in May. He has conditions in his favour under top-weight, while his trainer’s penchant for sending out winners at this fixture should also be factored in.