Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Sunday’s racing coming your way from the UK.
ASCOT
Race 4 No2 KOEMAN
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: John Egan
A former winner at the Sherman Cup here, KOEMAN finally gets the cut in the ground that has eluded him for much of the season. He will start at a working man’s price but should not be underestimated for a frame finish at the least..
Race 5 No2 BILLESDON BROOK
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
The 2018 1,000 Guineas winner BILLESDON BROOK tackles this Group 3 on the cusp of a return to the winner’s circle. A 66-1 shot for that Classic, she showed with her gritty display when third in the Falmouth Stakes a couple of weeks ago that she’s as good as ever. She has track, trip and ground in her favour.
Race 6 No5 MORE BEAUTIFUL (Nap)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
One of the best backed horses at Royal Ascot, MORE BEAUTIFUL underwhelmed in the Queen Mary and now has a point to prove. The daughter of War Front couldn’t go the pace over that five furlongs but will come into her own graduated to six for this Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes, and show that run to be all wrong.
Race 8 No11 MARS LANDING
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
MARS LANDING makes abundant appeal getting weight from all but one of his foes in the nightcap. The Dark Angel gelding finished a half length runner-up to Bill The Butcher on his handicap debut at Newbury and has shone in his subsequent work. He will also act on the going should it become softer.
YORK
Race 1 No9 UNBUTTON
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Ben Curtis
UNBUTTON needs to be taken very seriously for a trainer who is red hot at this course, and whose horses have hit a rich vein of form. The Cable Bay filly showed big improvement from her debut when second on Polytrack at Kempton, a run that has brought her perfectly to the boil.
Race 6 No4 FRANCONIA (Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Frankie Dettori
By Frankel out of a Pivital mare, the beautifully-bred FRANCONIA impressively took out a Listed contest at Newbury on her seasonal reappearance. She stretched three and threequarter lengths clear of Cabaletta to show she has a bright future. She remains at the same class level today for a stable that won this race 12 months ago. If the going softens, it will add confidence
Race 7 No1 NUITS ST GEORGES
Trainer: David Menuisier – Jockey: Joe Fanning
NUITS ST GEORGES was carded to run on Saturday, but if skipping that assignment should give us a good run for our money off joint to weight in this stayers’ handicap. The gelding brings good form to the table and, most importantly, will relish any further easing in the ground, which looks likely.
CARTMEL
Race 1 No12 I’LLETYOUGONOW
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Tom Scudamore
I’LLETYOUGONOW isn’t bred to stay two miles but made a most encouraging return when beaten only by Pogo I Am in a mares’ only race at Stratford. She’s a more relaxed individual than before, and that recent form sets the standard for the others to aim at in a weakly contested novices’ hurdle.
Race 3 No7 TANGO ECHO CHARLIE (Nap)
Trainer: Dr Richard Newland – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
When finishing second on his seasonal comeback at Stratford, TANGO ECHO CHARLIE was a country mile clear of the remainder and is likely to make further improvement on that first run for his trainer. He’s got few racing miles on the clock, meaning there should indeed be more to come.
Race 8 No8 ARTHURS SECRET (Each Way)
Trainer: Sandy Thomson – Jockey: Ryan Mania
Although winless last season, ARTHURS SECRET was campaigned sparingly, and has got himself onto an attractive handicap mark. He doesn’t always find as much as it looks like he will, but he’s gone well off a break on more than one occasion in the past and can take home a cheque.
