Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Chepstow, Chester, Lingfield Park, and Pontefract.
CHEPSTOW
Race 2: No7 – NASTASE (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
NASTASE is on a recovery mission following his expensive flop at Musselburgh but should be up to the task in hand. The powerful Sixties Icon colt put in an eye taking effort when third on his Sandown introduction, but found nil when asked to go and win his race in Scotland. He is undoubtedly far better than that more than five lengths defeat indicates, and can open his account.
Race 8: No12 – RETROSPECT
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: Ray Dawson
Having cost a king’s ransom as a yearling, RETROSPECT can up his game on this fourth career start to get off the mark. The son of Frankel is at the right end of the weights following his defeat by Coltrane in a mile and a half maiden here last month, form boosted by the subsequent success of the winner. His trainer stretches him out to two miles, whilst claiming off him to add further lustre to his prospects.
CHESTER
Race 3: No3 – CHASE THE DOLLAR (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Tom Marquand
CHASE THE DOLLAR has started odds-on for both starts so far, chasing home Ventura Mutiny at Musselburgh before opening his account in the gamest fashion at Ayr. Further to his chance in this first run in a handicap, he gets the assistance of Marquand on a rare team-up with the Johnston stable.
Race 5: No5 – KINDLY
Trainer: Mick Easterby – Jockey: Nathan Evans
Kyllachy mare KINDLY has been in good form of late, winning well at Hamilton before being denied in a photo by Grace And Virtue at Pontefract. In ten outings since joining her trainer from Ireland, she’s made the frame on five occasions and is in the mood to carry on the good work.
Race 7: No10 – HIGHWAYGREY
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
The much improved HIGHWAYGREY has delivered on three out of four outings this season, showing a penchant for Pontefract. He grittily landed the spoils when carrying a 5lb penalty at the end of last month and now competes from a higher revised mark. While he needs to take another step up on this totally different track, his trainer’s horses are in great form and he can go in again.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 4: No11 – ALBA ROSE
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Joe Fanning
Paper favourite Lost In Space has had a few chances and the call is to go with newcomer ALBA ROSE who is bred to be quick, being by champion sprinter Muhaarar our of a Danehill Dancer mare.
Race 7: No6 – RAAED (Nap)
Trainer: Brian Meehan – Jockey: Jim Crowley
RAAED has encountered cut in the ground on both starts at Haydock, finishing third to Zezenia when a 50-1 roughie and second to Cold Front. He’s the form horse in this maiden, and shouldn’t be inconvenienced by quicker conditions.
PONTEFRACT
Race 1: No6 – DANZART (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
DANZART improved in leaps and bounds from his Windsor debut when fourth to Alkumait at Goodwood. He showed good gate speed and track craft in a run that has done much to bring him to concert pitch. While any rain will assist his cause, he should enjoy this stiff uphill course and is well drawn to attack.
Race 7: No4 – REVOLVER
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
REVOLVER goes from strength to strength and has a great chance to extend his unbeaten record this season to six. The Slade Power gelding has looked a different horse since running over staying distances and is poised to defy a 6lb penalty for his decisive success over Dancing Harry at Sandown last week. He faces strong competition from Frankenstella but should prove up to the task in hand.
