Neil Morrice brings you all of his best bets and tips for Friday's racing coming your way from Sandown Park, York, Chepstow, Aintree and Goodwood.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 2 No2 BOLD AND ROYAL
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Stoute sent out winners with his first two juvenile runners last year and can strike with his first this season in the form of BOLD AND ROYAL. The Frankel colt went clear in his latest gallop and could be useful.
Race 6 No7 SWEET REWARD
Trainer: Jonny Portman – Jockey: Rob Hornby
This can go to the progressive SWEET REWARD, who displayed a liking for the soft track last month to comfortably account for Noble Masquerade. The Acclamation gelding will encounter vastly different conditions today, but if turning up in the same mood as last time is the one to beat.
Race 7 No6 NELL QUICKLY (Nap)
Trainer: Denis Coakley – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
NELL QUICKLY looked good value for her narrow margin of victory over Garden Paradise at Chelmsford and could have been underestimated by the assessor for this first handicap outing. Well regarded by her shrewd handler, she could take a bit of stopping, and is one to follow.
YORK
Race 4 No6 MEJTHAAM
Trainer: Charles Hills – Jockey: PJ McDonald
MEJTHAAM bolted up at Wolverhampton and makes plenty of appeal switching to handicaps on what is her first outing on grass. The daughter of Exceed And Excel has her tail up after that clear cut delivery, and with a top northern jockey in the plate can follow-up.
Race 5 No4 DUKE OF HAZZARD (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: PJ McDonald
This Listed prize gives DUKE OF HAZZARD the chance to gain a confidence boost ahead of better races in the summer. The Goodwood specialist put up an improved effort to get into the money in the Diomed Stakes at Epsom, and should now be spot on to post a first win since August 2019.
CHEPSTOW
Race 4 No7 PASTFACT
Trainer: Malcolm Saunders – Jockey: Liam Keniry
PASTFACT has needed a couple of outings to blow away the cobwebs and can strike for a trainer who does well with his sprinters at this course and Bath. He wore first-time cheekpieces when going back-to-back over course and distance last August and is ready to return to that level.
Race 5 No2 EQUALLY FAST (Nap)
Trainer: Ron Harris – Jockey: Tom Marquand
The hooded EQUALLY FAST deserves a change of luck after three near-misses when beaten half a length, half a length and a short head. He looks to have all the bases covered tonight.
Race 6 No5 SEA LA ROSA
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand
SEA LA ROSA didn’t manage to live up to her reputation on the all-weather last winter and was turned over when long odds-on at Newcastle on New Year’s Eve. It was a long journey home for her connections but a small ‘coupe’ could be in order on this seasonal reappearance, as she’s done well both mentally and physically.
GOODWOOD
Race 6 No2 ZUBA (Nap)
Trainer: Nick Gifford – Jockey: Laura Pearson
Dual-purpose horse ZUBA is my only fancy on a tricky card for betting. He gets the assistance of a more than capable apprentice and can add to his Plumpton hurdles win while bettering two near-misses on the Flat.
NEWTON ABBOT
Race 2 No6 RANCO (Each Way)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Jack Tudor
RANCO shaped well on handicap debut at Worcester where he travelled well into the race before seeming to blow up. The Makfi colt brings good Flat form to the table, is unexposed and will surely step up to get into the money at least.
Race 4 No6 COOLE WELL (Nap)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Paddy Brennan
COOLE WELL was handed a 9lb hike after trotting up on debut for his trainer at Southwell, a performance that confirmed a wind operation had succeeded. Back over fences here, he should prove very hard to beat.
AINTREE
Race 3 No7 BOUGHTBEFORELUNCH
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Richie McLernon
I can see veteran The Tourard Man getting into the shake-up but preference is for BOUGHTBEFORELUNCH, who looked better the further he travelled when scoring at Ludlow. His style of racing should lend itself to the Mildmay course.
Race 4 No5 CADDYHILL (Nap)
Trainer: Alistair Ralph – Jockey: Ciaran Gethings
Gethings can make it three wins in as many rides on CADDYHILL with whom he’s built up a very good partnership. The combination came home unchallenged at Bangor last time and again make abundant appeal.
Place Accumulater Perm (Races 1-7)
5, 3, 2 x 1 x 7, 8, 6 x 5, 1 x 8, 2 x 3, 4 x 3
R72
