Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing action at Goodwood, Newmarket, Windsor, and Redcar!
GOODWOOD
Race 2: LADBROKES PRESTIGE STAKES (Group 2)
No3 – POMELO
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Harry Bentley
POMELO created a favourable impression when powering clear on her Newbury introduction. The daughter of Dubawi attracted a flood of money before that five lengths demolition of Dreams Unwind to tee herself up for this step up the class ladder. The going will be easier following an inclement week in the Chichester area, but as she’s out of a mare by Dansili, that shouldn’t pose any problems.
Race 3: No5 – MILLTOWN STAR (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: James Doyle
MILLTOWN STAR jumps back in at a high level following a protracted absence and is sure to benefit from the experience that a proper race gives a horse. That said, since having his workload stepped up he’s been in great form at home, holding his own with the best older horses in the stable. Importantly he ended the 2019 campaign by winning on soft ground in France and looks like a horse that might well have improved.
Race 4: LADBROKES MARCH STAKES (Group 3)
No1 – CELTIC ART
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: David Probert
CELTIC ART has been something of a work in progress since his eleventh-hour withdrawal from the French Derby. He was re-routed to a Class 2 handicap over a mile and a quarter at the Qatar Festival here and ran better than his finishing position of sixth indicates, staying on well from an unpromising position turning for home. If Subjectivists tries to ensure this is a stamina test, it will suit the selection, who is one to follow through the autumn.
Race 5: LADBROKES CELEBRATION MILE (Group 2)
No4 – REGAL REALITY (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Stoute might have unlocked the key to REGAL REALITY, who before his resounding triumph in the Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury had proved a tricky customer. A first time visor looked to make a huge difference to the horse in that Group 3 as he swept aside Duke Of Hazzard. Added to his claims in the fact that he won here at the same level as a three-year-old, and so should have no issues with the undulating track. Benbatl is likely to prove his main danger, as he’s a classy individual but one who may be anchored by a Group 1 penalty.
Race 6: No6 – PAST MASTER (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: David Probert
Everything in this competitive stayers’ handicap looks right for a big run from PAST MASTER. The grey is a dual course winner and loves to get his toe into the ground, and was in need of his comeback run when fifth to Leoncavallo at Haydock where he travelled beautifully until getting tired. There’s sure to be an improvement from the selection, who can pay to follow during the closing weeks of the season.
NEWMARKET
Race 3: No2 – FIVETHOUSANDTOONE (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jim Crowley
Things didn’t go according to plan for FIVETHOUSANDTOONE when he finished third on debut at Windsor. Sent off a shade of odds-on, the Frankel colt showed signs of greenness that possibly cost him the race. His threequarters of a length defeat was a much better effort than it looked and he’s shown in his subsequent work that he’s learned plenty for it.
Race 4: No5 – SUMMERGHAND
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: William Buick
Having put up an exceptional performance to win the Stewards’ Cup under top-weight, SUMMERGHAND has the chance to follow-up in a Listed race that should prove well within his compass. He responded to first-time headgear to catch Kimifive and make amends for an unlucky defeat in the Wokingham earlier in the summer. That turn of foot can prove a race-winning asset again.
Race 8: No7 – PITCHER’S POINT
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: William Buick
The three-year-olds can hold sway in this all-aged handicap with PITCHER’S POINT preferred to Dublin Pharaoh and Rosa Gold. The first two named colts are making their seasonal debuts and Pitcher’s Point can back up some encouraging homework, having looked useful when last seen taking out a Lingfield novice in early March.
WINDSOR
Race 1: No1 – NASTASE (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Rob Hornby
NASTASE comes here in favour of going down the nursery route and looks the best bet on the card after his tenacious first career success at Chepstow. The losses sustained on the Sixties Icon colt when he was beaten at Musselburgh were recouped in Wales as he led in the final stride to nail Bobby On The Beat. His action suggests any further softening in the ground will not hinder him.
Race 2: No7 – NEFARIOUS (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Rob Hornby
NEFARIOUS was unlucky not to win last year, being placed on five of his seven outings. His trainer has adopted a patient approach as he re-enters the stage ahead of an autumn campaign. He won’t lack for fitness on this first outing in over a year.
Race 6: GALLAGHER GROUP WINTER HILL STAKES (Group 3)
No2 – FOX CHAIRMAN
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
Windsor’s best race of the season can fall to FOX CHAIRMAN who has been inching towards a return to the winner’s circle on his three starts this year. Having contested the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes and finished six and a half lengths behind winner Circus Maximus the selection was thwarted in a blanket finish to a Listed race at Sandown, then found only Aspetar his master in a Group 2 at York. Importantly his best form from last season happened on soft ground, a factor that looks sure to apply here.
REDCAR
Race 1: No6 – ITALIAN BREEZE (Nap)
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe – Jockey: J Garrity
ITALIAN BREEZE made great strides from debut to fail by just a short head against Credible at Hamilton. It’s the best form on offer in this first division of the novice stakes, and he can go one better.
Race 8: No11 – WAR DEFENDER
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
Form figures of 3232 this season give WAR DEFENDER the look of a perennial bridesmaid but that statistic is there to be broken. In fairness to the gelding he’s been getting closer to a breakthrough win with each run, latterly when chasing home Throne Hall at Hamilton. He will not be inconvenienced by easy underfoot conditions.
