Neil Morrice brings us his best bets and tips from Ascot, Haydock Park, Newcastle, Pontefract, Kempton Park on Friday.
ASCOT
Race 2 No5 SAGA (Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Frankie Dettori
After a couple of near-misses, SAGA can get the better of Monet’s Sunrise in what could turn into a straight match for the opener. The selection has found good yardsticks Modern Games and Coroebus his match in successive visits to Newmarket, and is poised to go one better for top connections.
Race 5 No2 UNCLE BRYN
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Frankie Dettori
One time Derby hope UNCLE BRYN can get his career back on course on his first start since the Dante Stakes at York in May. He finished last to Hurricane Lane on that occasion, with his trainer forced to go back to the drawing board with him. If anywhere near as good as he looked in the spring, he would make short work of his foes on this handicap bow.
Race7 No8 MAY NIGHT
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
MAY NIGHT has a shot at ending the unbeaten run of Papacito in a race choc-full of winners. The selection has started favourite for each of his three outings this year, scoring on reappearance at Kempton before seconds at Southwell and Newmarket. While lacking the scope of his rival, he can cash in on a handy concession of 11lb.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 5 No1 THEBEAUTIFULGAME (Nap)
Trainer: Tom Clover – Jockey: Laura Pearson
THEBEAUTIFULGAME can play the experience card to good effect in this fillies’ novice stakes. She opened her account with a battling display at Salisbury and will be very hard to beat.
Race 6 No4 GREAT NEWS
Trainer: Saeed Bin Suroor – Jockey: Eoin Walsh
GREAT NEWS put in a much-improved effort when second to Bowman in a better race than this at Lingfield. Returned to turf, the grey can make this a first success since his debut back in the spring.
NEWCASTLE
Race 2 No8 NEAR KETTERING (Nap)
Trainer: Sam England – Jockey: Rhonda Pindar
NEAR KETTERING was a late scratch from a race earlier in the week after being solidly supported. This recent hurdles winner could be thrown in off his mark, Ashe hasn’t run on the Flat for almost two years.
Race 3 No5 BASHKIROVA
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Dougie Costello
Pivotal filly BASHKIROVA shaped in eye taking style to be beaten in a photo on her Nottingham debut and is out quickly to try to go one better. She has worked well on an all-weather surface at home, while her trainer has a good record at this track.
Race 7 No1 TATSUMAKI
Trainer: Marco Botti – Jockey: Stefano Cherchi
As the only winner in the race, TATSUMAKI has to carry a penalty but there was much to like about the way he got the job done against a more experienced rival at Newmarket. He looks progressive and should know too much for his rivals.
PONTEFRACT
Race 4 No2 BROUGHTONS MISSION (Nap)
Trainer: John Berry – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
This is a tricky card for punters, leaving BROUGHTONS MISSION as the only advice. The Nap has done well since his move to the Berry yard, and following earning runs at Lingfield and this course can put that recent experience to good use on what is only his fourth career start.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 1 No4 MAPLEWOOD
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
Park Street could well start a warm order for the opening novice stakes on the back of two earning runs but newcomer MAPLEWOOD can cause him problems. The Godolphin-owned son of Oasis Dream is the subject of positive reports from Newmarket.
Race 2 No6 CAMERATA
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: William Buick
As the least experienced in this fillies’ handicap CAMERATA warrants abundant respect. The daughter of Kingman opened her account by an inch over course and distance on her first run on Polytrack, and is set to build on that.
Race 4 No1 JUMBLY (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Charlton – Jockey: Saffie Osborne
Home-bred Gleneagles filly JUMBLY made a lasting impression when scoring on debut at Leicester and is going to relish stepping up to seven furlongs. Her 4lb penalty for that success is negated by the addition of her capable apprentice rider’s claim.
Race 5 No10 SOVEREIGN SLIPPER (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Dane O’Neill
SOVEREIGN SLIPPER isn’t an obvious choice for this sprint handicap, but one of his better runs happened here when he was well supported on debut, while he has a good draw three off the rail. He’s always shown plenty at home, and needs to transfer that ability onto the racecourse after an admittedly disappointing effort last time.
Place Accumulater Perm (Races 1-7)
4, 9 x 6, 1, 3 x 2 x 1 x 10, 2, 3 x 1, 9 x 2, 3
R72
