Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, Doncaster, Leicester, and Sandown, including video analysis.
Sandown Park Best Bets
Race 4: No2 – LAZULI
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
LAZULI attracted plenty of support on his reappearance at Newmarket a week ago. Drawn widest, he loomed in the manner of the likely runner before giving best inside the final furlong. He’s very well regarded by Appleby and has more than enough scope to graduate into Listed company, on the way to better things.
Race 5: No2 – SOLID STONE
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: William Buick
From a mark of 94 SOLID STONE can lead them a merry dance in this all-aged handicap. He showed a penchant for this course with a couple of near misses in handicaps last summer and judging from the quality of his work appears to have improved for a gelding operation. He likes to dominate but is a horse that can quicken from the front, which he’ll need to do to win this.
Race 8: No2 – THEATRO
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe – Jockey: PJ McDonald
THEATRO has a fitness edge on many of her opponents following a cracking comeback effort when third at Pontefract last week. She was unfortunate to run into subsequent Triumph Hurdle casualty Goshen at Nottingham on her final start of 2019 and is now firmly in the zone, with plenty of time in this stayers’ race to overcome her wide draw.
Newbury Best Bets
Race 1: No4 – IVAHUNCH (Each Way)
Several of the top stables are represented In this opening division of the novice stakes but at massive odds, IVAHUNCH can make an impression. A rare Flat runner from the Webber yard, he’s shown a modicum of ability and can get into the money if a couple of the more obvious runners fail to show up.
Race 5: No4 – FOXTROT LADY
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
Unwanted in the market on her reappearance at Kempton when racing resumed, FOXTROT LADY gained valuable black-type by finishing fourth to Nazeef. While in the past looking slightly out of her depth in Group company, she has a good record at Listed level and can make an impact in this at the main expense of Preening.
Race 6: No4 – FRANCONIA
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Frankie Dettori
On the fact of it, FRANCONIA has plenty to find if she’s to take out this Listed prize, the daughter of Frankel having been edged out by Jeanie B on her debut at Chelmsford last November. However, she has done well through the close season and lockdown and can outpoint Yarmouth scorer Cabaletta, whose form has been endorsed.
Race 7: No4 – ZAAKI
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
The Group 3 Diomed Stakes, transferred from Epsom, can go to the still improving ZAAKI on his reappearance for the Stoute stable. He is always dangerous first time back and took this same race out 12 months ago after scoring on his Ascot return. He beat Bangkok in another Group 3 at York later in the summer, and though failing to fire in Hong Kong in December shouldn’t be judged on that Group 1 flop. He’s looked razor-sharp in recent solo work on Long Hill.
Doncaster Best Bets
Race 5: No11 – EDRAAK
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Alistair Rawlinson
On just a third career start EDRAAK could prove a blot on the handicap, having stylishly delivered on debut for his trainer at Newcastle last week. He could have plenty more to offer from an opening mark of 83 and the £13,000 connections laid out to purchase him from the bargain basement is already looking a steal.
Race 6: No1 – DULAS
Trainer: Charles Hills – Jockey: Harry Bentley
DULAS is more than capable of successfully giving away weight to the vast majority of his foes in this three-year-old only contest. He showed promise on both his Newmarket debut and at Leicester before landing a novice more or less as he liked. The Raven’s Pass colt seems to have thrived through the close season, and is a horse to follow.
Leicester Best Bets
Race 3: No3 – TOMMY DE VITO
Trainer: Charles Hills – Jockey: David Allan
TOMMY DE VITO can make a successful switch to turf after a couple of eye taking efforts on the Tapeta surface at Newcastle where the colt finished second and then opened his account. He remains at the six furlongs distance for this handicap bow and can help make it a winning day for his trainer. Of his rivals, Knightcap could prove dangerous in receipt of 12lb and is one for a saver.
Race 4: No8 – VITARE
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Nicola Currie
VITARE left his previous form well behind when stepped up in trip at Yarmouth last week and if repeating the level shown there will be hard to beat. He was 100-1 but will start favourite for this weak maiden in which stablemate Wine Flight could prove his main danger in receipt of 5lb. The latter finished third on her own debut and shouldn’t be underestimated.
Race 8: No2 – QUARRY BEACH
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Josephine Gordon
Perennial bridesmaid QUARRY BEACH has made a frame finish on eight of her 12 career starts and has proved expensive to follow. However, her stable got off the mark with a well-backed winner on Thursday and new jockey Josephine Gordon’s expertise can help make the difference.
