Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing taking place at Ascot, Haydock Park, Kempton Park, and Thirsk!
ASCOT
Race 1: No9 – TWILIGHT CALLS (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Rob Hornby
TWILIGHT CALLS was the subject of a sustained gamble that went astray on debut at Newbury, but having been given plenty of time to get over those exertions is now ready to show his true ability. He crushed up to the leaders in that novice but when asked to quicken the response was muted. Beaten three and three-quarter lengths by Cairn Gorm, the son of Twilight Son is ready to rise to the challenge.
Race 2: No2 – FANGORN (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Rob Hornby
This doesn’t look as competitive as the first division and gives the strong galloping FANGORN a chance to endorse the promise of his homework on this racecourse debut. The Bungle Inthejungle colt wears a hood at home, and while this is absent it shouldn’t prevent him having a say in what looks an open heat.
Race 3: No3 – DERAB
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Martin Harley
The beautifully-bred DERAB is the subject of favourable reports from Newmarket in a race numerically dominated by horses making their racecourse debuts. The son of Sea The Stars will need every yard of the seven furlongs, being out of a Sadler’s Wells mare, but has shown a degree of speed in his preparation as he locks horns with Escobedo. The latter colt finished third over this course and distance and looks the main threat carrying the honing advantage a race provides.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 1: No3 – HAWRIDGE FLYER
Trainer: Rod Millman – Jockey: John Egan
This stable has found its feet since the ground became softer and in HAWRIDGE FLYER has a contender that has improved from race to race in his four outings this season. Having signed off the 2019 campaign with a gritty success in the soft at Newmarket, he had a couple of readying runs on the Kempton Polytrack before two outings on turf, the latest yielding a neck defeat by Berrahri back at Headquarters. Again the easy underfoot conditions were a big factor in the performance, and any further rain will assist his chance of going one better.
Race 3: No5 – AUCHTERARDER (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: PJ McDonald
Gleneagles filly AUCHTERARDER had a progressive profile before going into lockdown, boasting three successes from her five outings and exuding the versatility to operate as well on turf as the all-weather. She’s continued to impress in her progress at home, and is bred to enjoy cut in the ground in the autumn campaign that’s been mapped out for her.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 3: No1 – MAGELLAN (Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Although hit with a nightmare draw for this race around a bend, MAGELLAN should have the class to overcome the disadvantage. The Kingman colt looked a bit special when powering clear of Impulsive One on his debut at Newmarket before skipping a subsequent engagement on grass owing to the testing ground. He’s delighted his connections in his work and can shrug aside his 7lb penalty.
Race 7: No3 – VITARE
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: George Bass
Bass gave VITARE a peach of a ride when the gelding opened his account in a minor contest at Catterick, being quick to ask his mount to take a gap in a race-winning move. The sprint- bred gelding needs to overcome the worst of the draw but is a pacey individual whose confidence level has been boosted.
THIRSK
Race 2: No9 – ALBA ROSE (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Joe Fanning
With the benefit of a run under her belt, ALBA ROSE should prove too hot for newcomer Turandot to handle. The Muhaarar filly stayed on well to chase home the more experienced Lost In Space at Lingfield but the inexperience that cost her that day is now in the hands of her rival, a daughter of Frankel.
Race 8: No8 – KINDLY (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Easterby – Jockey: S Kirrane
KINDLY has found a rich vein of form after settling into the Easterby operation, winning at Hamilton and then posting consecutive near-misses at Pontefract and Chester. The Kyllachy mare in in good heart for this competitive sprint handicap.
