Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing taking place at Dundalk, Newmarket, York, and Chepstow.
DUNDALK
Race 1: No14 – FEELING TIP TOP (Nap)
Trainer: Jessica Harrington – Jockey: Shane Foley
FEELING TIP TOP has inched closer to a breakthrough success in his last two races after finishing in the money behind Charterhouse on debut at the Curragh. Having shown his ability to perform on Polytrack with a narrow defeat here last month, the son of Elzaam can open his account at the main expense of Bears Hug.
Race 2: No12 – WATERCOLOURMEMORIES
Trainer: Ger Lyons – Jockey: Colin Keane
Dragon Pulse filly WATERCOLOURMEMORIES looks a pea out of the same pod, and another that can make full use of her experience in this fillies’ maiden. She’s rattled the crossbar on successive visits to Navan and is now poised to go one better.
Race 4: No11 – HELEN DE POURTALES
Trainer: Andrew Kinirons – Jockey: Billy Lee
HELEN DE POURTALES showed tenacity to open her account on debut for her trainer over this course and distance a fortnight ago. On return from a six months break she dug deep to repel Time And Money on what was only a fifth career start. Having been off for such a long time beforehand, if making normal progress and avoiding the bounce factor S he has a good chance of following-up.
Race 8: No10 – SPELGA (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Halford – Jockey: Ronan Whelan
SPELGA ran riot here around this time last year, complete a fine hat-trick on the run up to Christmas. The Sir Percy gelding has eye takingly gone forward on his last two outings and was denied by just a short head in an apprentices’ race here last month. With everything in his favour, he should play a big part in the finish of this and take home a cheque of some sort.
NEWMARKET
Race 2: No6 – NEBULOSA
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Archipenko filly NEBULOSA settled and finished off her race strongly over course and distance two weeks ago, stepping up nicely from her promising debut effort at Goodwood. All but one of her foes are seeing a racecourse for the first time, and her greater experience can prove a trump card under the steering of the champion jockey.
Race 3: Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes (Group 3)
No7 – METHOD (Nap)
Trainer: Martyn Meade – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
METHOD’s run in the Group 1 Middle Park here a fortnight ago can be safely ignored, as the son of Mehmas had to cope with a slipped saddle, giving him no chance from halfway. Considering he started second favourite for a race lauded as the best of its kind run this season, he can bounce back and endorse the promise of his impressive previous triumphs at Doncaster and Newbury.
Race 4: Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes (Group 3)
No4 – NAZUNA
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
On the balance of the form book, it’s hard to see NAZUNA failing to go close in a race named after one of the greatest fillies to have raced on this course. The daughter of Kodiac progressed from finishing second in a hot nursery at Doncaster to beating all but the smart Isabella Giles in the Rockfel Stakes (Group 2) over today’s track and trip. Most of the other fillies are stepping up, with Thinking Of You sure to attract support after her frame finish in a Group 3 at the Curragh and looking the main threat.
Race 5: Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards Challenge Stakes (Group 2)
No6 – ZAKOUSKI
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
This has a wide-open look to it, with the joker in the pack ZAKOUSKI, who at the Dubai Carnival in the New Year started to live up to the promise of his early career. The Shamardal gelding was a one time big Classic hope for Godolphin but endured some training issues after a defeat in the Craven Stakes here. However, two successes from as many outings at Meydan show he’s still got his mojo, and as the least experienced runner in the field, he is the one with the most room for improvement.
Race 6: bet365 Fillies’ Mile (Group 1)
No 3 – ISABELLA GILES
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Adam Kirby
Hopefully, Nazuna will have done enough earlier in the afternoon to boost the claims of ISABELLA GILES in the day’s feature. With four wins from five attempts, the daughter of Belardo has plenty going for her although this is easily the most competitive of the Pattern races on the card. Indigo Girl defends a two-race unbeaten record for John Gosden and impressed when landing the May Hill at Doncaster. Shale is a dual Group winner in Ireland, will handle the cut in the ground, and rates a major player for rookie trainer Donnacha O’Brien. She’s closely matched with Pretty Gorgeous on Moyglare Stakes running at the Curragh.
Prediction
1st ISABELLA GILES
2nd Pretty Gorgeous
3rd Shale
4th Indigo Girl
1st ISABELLA GILES
2nd Pretty Gorgeous
3rd Shale
4th Indigo Girl
Race 7: No4 – GALATA BRIDGE
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Returning to turf on ground that he is bred to relish, GALATA BRIDGE makes an abundant appeal and has a good chance of extending his winning sequence to four. He’s been a well-backed winner of his last three starts on the all-weather, and with his tail up should get into the shake-up of a wickedly competitive handicap restricted to three-year-olds. His recent work has been of a high order.
YORK
Race 5: No1 – COTTAM LANE (Nap)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Tom Eaves
COTTAM LANE didn’t have to come our of third gear to open his account in a similar race at Beverley, the form of which has stood up. The son of rookie sire Twilight Son should have plenty more to offer in this tougher contest, and looks one to follow through the closing weeks of the season.
Race 8: No4 – ZIP
Trainer: Richard Fahey – Jockey: Billy Garrity
This is not as competitive as some of the other handicaps on the card and ZIP stands out as one to be with as he tries to break a frustrating sequence of three seconds. The Kyllachy gelding hasn’t done a thing wrong since his reappearance in June, showing his love for easy conditions with a win at Haydock. In each of his subsequent outings at Catterick, Beverley, and back at Haydock he’s gone close and appeared to respond positively to the fitting of cheekpieces, which are retained here.
CHEPSTOW
Race 2: No1 – BORN IN BORRIS
Trainer: Colin Tizzard – Jockey: Robbie Power
This novice hurdle can go to BORN IN BORRIS, who after winning her maiden in a point-to-point then scored on her debut under Rules in a Wincanton novice hurdle. The mare carries a penalty against a couple of promising rivals, but is ready for her return from a seven-month absence and can put them to the sword.
Race 4: No3 – FLIC OU YOYOU
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
This is a fascinating first leg of the novices’ hurdle in which a market check is advised with both At Large and Severance. However, the one with the points already on the board is FLIC OU YOYOU, who finished second in the corresponding race 12 months ago. He went on to place in each of his four subsequent races, running into some good yardsticks to give him a form edge over his foes.
Race 7: No6 – THE CASHEL MAN (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Ofalltheginjoints won over hurdles here last season and commands respect on his chase debut, but the one to be on is THE CASHEL MAN who competed at a high level in novice hurdles last season, running into such top notchers as Thyme Hill and Monkfish. When let loose on an easy lead he is a potent force, and my news is that he’s a proficient jumper and ready for action in a race where he might not be taken on for the lead.
