Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing taking place at Dundalk, Haydock Park, Ludlow, Kempton Park, and Lingfield Park.
DUNDALK
Race 4: No6 – MESSIDOR (Nap)
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien – Jockey: Declan McDonagh
Recent course and distance scorers Hale Bopp and MESSIDOR can fight this out, with preference for the latter. The Vadamos filly returned from a six-week break to gain a wide margin triumph on her first visit to this course. That improved display indicates she’s very effective on the Poly.
Race 5: No4 – GINATO
Trainer: Kevin Prendergast – Jockey: G Halpin
GINATO has looked happier since going down the handicap route on sand, firing two recent near-misses that make him the one to beat in this nursery. He’s closely matched with Ablah, but may have more to fear from the lightly-raced Taylored.
Race 6: No3 – GREAT MIDGE (Each Way)
Trainer: Denis Hogan – Jockey: J Sheridan
First-time blinkers can work the oracle for GREAT MIDGE who though a longstanding maiden has shown marked progression on his last two outings. The application of cheekpieces have been a help to the giant who now receives an additional assist.
Race 8: No2 – MERCHANT OF VENICE
Trainer: Adrian McGuinness – Jockey: Ronan Whelan
There’s been nothing miserly about the recent efforts of MERCHANT OF VENICE who shaped well on his first outing for this trainer when second to Pulse Of Shanghai here earlier in the month. He was also trying the Dundalk Polytrack for the first time and will be cherry ripe now.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 4: No2 – QUALISMART (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
QUALISMART looked an exciting prospect when bolting up on debut for this stable in a maiden hurdle at Market Rasen. Despite taking a keen grip, he found bundles when tackled in the home straight to run out a convincing winner. The gelded son of Martaline can use this as a stepping stone towards greater things, by getting the better of the very smart Adrimel.
Race 5: No4 – SEEYOUATMIDNIGHT
Trainer: Sandy Thomson – Jockey: Ryan Mania
The likely strong pace in this veterans’ chase should ideally suit SEEYOUATMIDNIGHT who returned from a lengthy absence to tenaciously prevail in heavy ground when last seen at Carlisle in March. A winner of five of his last dozen starts spread over five years, he’s clearly not been without his problems but has retained plenty of his old ability.
LUDLOW
Race 1: No1 – FALBERTO (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
FALBERTO finished second in a Leicester seller that’s worked out particularly well. He was the only one to make a race of it with market rival Paricolor and with his stable shelling out the winners compensation now awaits.
Race 5: No4 – STONEY MOUNTAIN
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
The ability to run well fresh can prove a boon to STONEY MOUNTAIN who in an interesting beginners’ chase just gets the nod over Golan Fortune. The selection scored at Aintree and Haydock at this time last year and is well tutored for his first run for the Snowden stable, one that excels with new recruits.
Race 7: No3 – BOOLEY BEACH
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
BOOLEY BEACH left plenty behind when narrowly denied on debut in a Musselburgh bumper earlier in the month. She has learned plenty from that experience and can now show that those losses were merely lent.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 1: No1 – EASTERN DELIGHT
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Camacho filly EASTERN DELIGHT has improved from race to race and appears to hold the cards in the opener. She’s troubled the judge in all three starts at three different all-weather venues and might find a first-time visor the key to her getting her head in front today.
Race 3: No2 – PREMIER POWER (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
As the least exposed runner in this and on handicap debut, hat-trick seeker PREMIER POWER has plenty going for him. His successes here and at Lingfield were gained in authoritative fashion and he is reported to have thrived for a three-month absence.
Race 4: No4 – SEXTANT
Trainer: Keith Dalgleish – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
Sinjaari is going to occupy much of the betting handle on this featured Wild Flower Stakes but for value SEXTANT is worth a punt for two reasons. He’s a previous winner in Listed company and ran well to place in a hot handicap at Lingfield in September. He’s joined a stable that can exact improvement from him in a first-time visor, and a market check is recommended.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 4: No7 – OCEAN ROAD (Nap)
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Cieren Fallon
OCEAN ROAD is going to improve over a trip, being by Australia out of a Theatrical mare. She was easy to back on debut over a mile at Nottingham and stayed on to chase home Noon Star. She remains at a mile for this fillies’ novice stakes and can thwart the dangerous-looking challenge of Lochnavar.
