Neil Morrice brings you all of his best bets and tips from Monday’s racing from Epsom, Ripon, Wolverhampton, Chepstow and Cartmel.
EPSOM
Race 1 No1 ENKINDLE (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: William Buick
The best news concerns New Approach colt ENKINDLE whose dam won on debut and who enjoys the rail position from which he could dominate his foes. Strength in the market would increase confidence in another newcomer Beautiful Surprise, who can follow home the selection.
Race 6 No8 CURTIZ
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
A step up the distance ladder can assist CURTIZ, who with three successes in 2021 has been a fine servant to his connections. Morrison and champion jockey Murphy have a good strike rate in handicaps and the gelding can follow up a recent Ffos Las triumph.
RIPON
Race 1 No6 BOLLIN MAY (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
BOLLIN MAY has progressed from race to race, and after a near-miss at Beverley can gain a deserved first career win. She returns to six furlongs and can take full advantage of the 12lb she receives from previous winner Maybe Even Never.
Race 4 No7 WONDERFUL WORLD (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
WONDERFUL WORLD has strong each-way claims in this Listed Champion Trophy on a line through Chipotle, who he chased home in the Brocklesby on the first day of the season. He was hampered at a crucial stage of a big nursery at York earlier in the month, yet stayed on to finish as well as anything, but just out of the money. Several locally-trained runners have strong claims such as Melayu Kingdom and Atomic Lady, who should go into exotic perms.
Race 5 No3 MILLTOWN STAR (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
MILLTOWN STAR lost his way with a couple of disappointing runs earlier in the season. He now returns from a two-month break and has worked well to suggest he could provide value as one of the roughies in this historic Ripon Rowels Handicap.
Race 6 No4 MANGO BAY
Trainer: Chris Wall – Trainer: Jack Mitchell
From a trainer that provided a good winner in Bague D’Or at Newmarket on Saturday, MANGO BAY can get the job done in a maiden that might not take too much winning. The New Bay gelding showed improvement to trouble the judge on second start on the all-weather, and just needs to show he’s as effective on grass.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 4 No8 SKY BLUE THINKING (Nap)
Trainer: Adam West – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
A draw one off the fence could be key to SKY BLUE THINKING completing a hat-trick and remaining unbeaten for her trainer. Her authoritative course and distance success here was followed by a narrow conversion at Chelmsford, but she didn’t enjoy the run of that race and did well to win. Providing she breaks handily she can assert in the short home straight.
Race 6 No5 ENRAGED (Nap)
Trainer: Julie Camacho – Jockey: Tom Eaves
Adaay is having a good year with his juveniles and ENRAGED can further bolster the tally by taking out this novice stakes. She put up a much-improved run on second start at Thirsk and is poised to go one better as the Nap on this card.
CHEPSTOW
Race 1 No1 BURTONLODGE BEAUTY (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
Nurseries were always going to be the calling for BURTONLODGE BEAUTY who was a 40-1 no-hoper when obtaining her mark with a frame finish at Windsor. The Bungle Inthejungle filly is in good heart for this first handicap assignment.
Race 3 No9 DIAMOND COTTAGE (Each Way)
Trainer: Malcolm Saunders – Jockey: Ryan Tate
From a yard which is almost full to the brim with sprinters, DIAMOND COTTAGE can put in a big earning run in this slightly longer contest. After two near-misses the application of first-time cheekpieces can make all the difference to the selection.
CARTMEL
Race 1 No2 ZAFAR (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Miss Abbie McCain
ZAFAR has made an immediate impact since join8ng the McCain stable with a game success at Uttoxeter and a narrow defeat under a penalty at Bangor. His form is possibly just superior to market rival Bardenstown Lad’s, with his rider’s 5lb claim a key factor.
Race 3 No4 DINO VELVET
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Alexander Thorne
Top weight Hatcher is chasing a hat-trick and will surely go well, but in receipt of stacks of weight DINO VELVET is preferred. The eight-year-old has shown in just two outings over fences when winning easily at Uttoxeter and finishing a creditable third at Worcester that he’s a useful addition to the chasing ranks.
