Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s international racing coming your way from Sandown Park, Exeter, Sedgefield, and Dundalk.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 1 No8 BOUGHTBEFORELUNCH (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Bridget Andrews
First-time blinkers could do the trick for the ultra-consistent BOUGHTBEFORELUNCH to deservedly put his head in front. The seven-year-old has placed in back-to-back chases at Cheltenham and Leicester. He was like a fox being hunted down by hounds at the end of that latest contest, but on this track his front-running tactics have a better chance of paying off.
Race 3 No10 FUNAMBULE SIVOLA (Nap)
Trainer: Venetia Williams – Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
If
there’s a well treated candidate for this novices’ limited handicap chase then
FUNAMBULE SIVOLA is that horse. The improvement shown by the gelding on a
switch to fences at Wetherby was a sight for sore eyes as he simply toyed with
the opposition. He’s getting plenty of weight from the likes of the respected Morning
Vicar and stands out as one to be on to defy a 7lb penalty.
Race 6 No9 EMMPRESSIVE LADY
Trainer: Sue Gardner – Jockey: Lucy Gardner
Joint
bottom-weight EMMPRESSIVE LADY lived up to her name when taking out a novice
hurdle at Exeter, leaving all her previous form many lengths behind. With so
little racing mileage she has to be taken very seriously, and can follow-up in
this first run in handicap company.
EXETER
Race 5 No7 MOLINEAUX (Nap)
Trainer: Colin Tizzard – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Respect
is afforded to Severano who looked very professional on his debut over fences
at Sandown, but on this occasion the more experienced MOLINEAUX can have his
measure. Now in his second season over fences, he ran into the money in a warm
heat at Ascot won by Amoola Gold when looking to blow up. He is going to be all
the better for that readying run, and will represent value.
Race 7 No2 AUTONOMOUS CLOUD
Trainer: Colin Tizzard – Jockey: Robbie Power
This stable frequently produce very smart bumper horses and AUTONOMOUS GOLD takes a big home reputation to post in the nightcap. The Flemensfirth gelding carries the popular colours of Terry Warner, and should have a big say if transferring his good homework to the racecourse.
SEDGEFIELD
Race 1 No12 SHE’SONEOFOUROWN (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Page Fuller
SHE’SOUTONHEROWN
has run into some smart rivals in her short career including Marada on jumps
debut at Huntingdon last time. The daughter of Sageburg nevertheless ran well
to get into the money, and won’t have anything of that class to worry about
this afternoon.
Race 2 No4 HOWDILYOUDO (Each Way)
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Page Fuller
This
trainer does well with his runners in the North and while this is a wickedly
competitive handicap hurdle HOWDILYOUDO has an eye taking profile that smacks
of improvement to come. The Presenting mare has earned in each of her three
career starts and could easily be a good bit better than she’s shown so far.
Race 5 No2 SHANTOU EXPRESS
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass
It’s
very hard to oppose SHANTOU EXPRESS who after improving from race to race in
his three hurdling runs this season is going to be hard to beat now trying to
follow-up his wide margin triumph at Exeter.
DUNDALK
Race 1 No7 DANDY SPIRIT
Trainer:
K Cotter – Jockey: Declan McDonagh
Dandy Man gelding DANDY SPIRIT delivered in authoritative fashion on debut for his connections over course and distance last week. From stall 1 the lightly-raced improver should make a bold fist of following-up and looks one of the best bets on this twilight card.
Race 2 No12 QUEENSHIP (Nap)
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien – Jockey: Declan McDonagh
This trainer/jockey combination provided an impressive Nap on Wednesday and the same can prove true of Excelebration filly QUEENSHIP, who shaped in eye taking style to take home a cheque on debut here and will be much more worldly wise breaking from an attractive stalls berth.
Race 5 No7 EAGLE’S FLIGHT
Trainer: Michael Halford – Jockey: Ronan Whelan
Several
in the first division of the maiden have form that puts them firmly in the
picture. However EAGLE’S FLIGHT hails from an in-form stable and can gain an
overdue first career triumph, having bumped into some decent yardsticks on his
last two outings.
Race 6 No2 QUAMINO
Trainer: Paul Nolan – Jockey: L Roche
Better known for his exploits over hurdles and fences, QUAMINO is respected on this first run on the Polytrack in a race that might not take much winning. The chestnut landed a Roscommon hurdle in the summer and has not been disgraced in a couple of his subsequent outings in handicap chases. His shrewd trainer would not entertain running him in a race like this unless he thought he could be competitive.
