Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing taking place at Middleburgh, Kempton Park, Leopardstown, and Sha Tin.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 4: No1 – EGRECIO
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Donal Nolan
Four-year-old EGRECIO has had his problems and was returning from a 400-day break when getting to within a length and threequarters of the impressive Streak Lightning at Ripon earlier in the month. That was a more than satisfactory first run for O’Meara by the former Dermot Weld-trained gelding who can stave off the strong-looking challenge of Gold Zabeel.
Race 5: No4 – MUNTADAB
Trainer: Roget Fell – Jockey: Ben Curtis
MUNTADAB is at his best when allowed to press on and the gelding could get his own way in this small field. He ran a cracker to chase home Presidential on a first run since February earlier in the month and boasts winning form at this track, albeit a couple of years ago. Any rain would add to his cause.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 3: No1 – DELTA’S ROYALTY
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
DELTA’S ROYALTY skipped a race at Newmarket owing to unsuitably fast ground and the move can pay off as she is switched onto Polytrack. The daughter of Galileo has always shown plenty at home, leading to her scoring at odds-on when introduced here before Christmas. She couldn’t hold Renaissance Queen when stepped up to a mile and a half at Newmarket but has learned much from that first run on turf.
Race 5: No9 – JAZZ PARTY
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: David Probert
Several in this novice have eye taking form but JAZZ PARTY is the one to be on. The New Approach colt has twice in as many starts outperformed his price, finishing fourth to Transition on debut at Lingfield before chasing home Galsworthy when stepped up to a mile and a half at Kempton. He’s been going well at home and can give the stable a boost ahead of Highland Chief’s crack at the Investec Derby.
Race 8: No3 – TRUE DESTINY
Trainer: Roger Charlton – Jockey: Jason Watson
TRUE DESTINY proved a fine servant to connections last year with three successes from seven starts, whilst never finishing out of the money. He’s won off a break in the past which means not too much should be read into his return from 11 months off.
LEOPARDSTOWN
Race 2: No8 – SO WONDERFUL
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Jamie Heffernan
Down from a cracking run in the Coronation Stakes (Group 1) into this Group 3, SO WONDERFUL can advertise the value of that Royal Ascot contest and show that the run hasn’t left its mark. She would be richly deserving of the win, having placed in a series of Pattern races aside from the defeat by Oaks-bound Alpine Star.
Race 6: No7 – TOORA LOORA
Trainer: Jessica Harrington – Jockey: Scott Foley
Having displayed tell take signs of greenness on her debut at Roscommon, TOORA LOORA is in a good place to take out this fillies’ maiden. The daughter of Nathaniel will know what’s required and should deliver on the way to better things at the main expense of Magic Chegaga.
SHA TIN
Race 1: No2 – ADONIS
Trainer: Doug Whyte – Jockey: Jerry Chau
ADONIS enjoyed early success at this track with two successes after joining Whyte last September. He’s knocked on the door on his last two earning starts, and with the assist of his rider’s 10lb claim can return to winning ways. Class dropper JOY AVENUE is one to monitor for a market move while EXPONENTS gets Moreira on board for the first time since early December and should figure.
Prediction: 2-10-3
Race 2: No2 – YES WE CAN
Trainer: Benno Yung – Jockey: Zac Purton
There’s a lot going for YES WE CAN, notwithstanding the fact that he’s not managed to put one on the board so far. First, he’s down to Class 5, and second, he has Purton doing the navigating for the first time. He is also relatively unexposed and has a good draw. From an equally good gate, TREASURE CHEST will probably try to lead throughout. He prefers this track and has Alfred Chan taking 7lb off his back. Also well berthed is SHANGHAI RUSKY, who showed a first glimmer of form last time.
Prediction: 2-11-8
Race 3: No3 – PEARL CHAMPION
Trainer: Tony Millard – Jockey: Antoine Hamelin
From stall 12 PEARL CHAMPION is going to need all the breaks, but his pilot Hamelin is a dab hand at eradicating that handicap through his alertness in the early stages of a race. The selection chased home Thou Shall Song on his first run since September and will be fitter and more focussed. A market check is advised for STREET SCREAM now that he’s downgraded into a C4. He breaks from the rail with Moreira up. LEADING FORTUNE has better form than most, and under Neil Callan lost out in a photo last time.
Prediction: 3-1-7
Race 4: No7 – EPITWINS
Trainer: David Hall – Jockey: Zac Purton
Purton knows what he’s got with EPITWINS and can cajole the gelding to a first victory for Hall at the fifth attempt. The addition of blinkers appears to have helped the selection, who has caught the judge’s eye on three of those occasions. A roughie to include in all exotics is CROWN AVENUE, who has a good draw but will require the rub of the green in the straight. FAST PACE is also interesting at a big price, on only a third start for Caspar Fownes.
Prediction: 7-6-4
Race 5: No1 – HONEST WAY
Trainer: David Ferraris – Jockey: Zac Purton
Top weight HONEST WAY figures to get into the thick of things and has to run well from a good draw and with Purton in the plate. He’s returning after a couple of earning runs at Happy Valley and can have the edge on MONKEY JEWELLERY, whose chance is enhanced by the permanence of Moreira in his saddle. SO AWESOME chased the shadow of runaway scorer Mighty Valor last time and has a chance.
Prediction: 1-4-9
Race 6: No12 – WAYFOONG CHARMER
Trainer: Paul O’Sullivan – Jockey: Joao Moreira
It was a blanket that covered the first three when WAYFOONG CHARMER finished third to Striking Mr C over course and distance last month. Now O’Sullivan calls on Moreira for a first look at the selection, and this is often a recipe for success. THOU SHALL SING’s hopes will be either promoted or lowered according to how Pearl Champion gets on in R3. But so consistent is ALL BEST FRIENDS that it’s very difficult to envisage him not finishing in the first three.
Prediction: 12-6-3
Race 7: No2 – MIG ENERGY
Trainer: Tony Cruz – Jockey: Zac Purton
There’s a completely unknown quantity in this in top weight EXCELLENT PROPOSAL whose barrier trials have been varied. He could prove different gravy but a more reliable proposition is MIG ENERGY who was closing on stablemate California Gungho all the way to the line on his latest outing. Purton’s decision to stick with him adds lustre. Looking to recapture his good form from last season is FALCON TURBO, who after three runs this year should be ready to make an impact.
Prediction: 2- 1-5
Race 8: No5 – NICCONI EXPRESS
Trainer: John Size – Jockey: Antoine Hamelin
With the benefit of a readying run under his belt, NICCONI EXPRESS is poised to thunder down the track in this Hong Kong Reunification Cup. He’s back at the optimum distance of nine furlongs at which he prevailed here in November, edging out the useful Chefano. The joker in the pack is COLUMBUS COUNTY who in just half a dozen starts here has shown his talents without managing to win. He’s one to take seriously and that can also be said of CHAMPION SUPREME, a lurking presence getting weight from the rest of the field.
Prediction: 5-3-11
Race 9: No7 – CHEERFUL LEADER
Trainer: P F Yiu – Jockey: Zac Purton
CHEERFUL LEADER has the points on the board in that after taking out a Class 4 he’s gone close to adding to that in each of his four outings. Stall 11 could prove a game-changer but I’m prepared to stick with this obvious choice. JOLLY HONOUR is drawn to get a run under Matthew Poon and looks the best of the longer priced runners, while class dropper EASY GO EASY WIN has a useful apprentice taking weight off, and can also figure.
Prediction: 7-2-1
Race 10: No14 – WINNING DREAMER (Nap)
Trainer: Frankie Lor – Jockey: Vincent Ho
WINNING DREAMER can be an aptly-named victor in the nightcap. He could hardly have been more impressive when scorching home on debut and the step into Class 3 is something he should prove more than capable of. In order to remain unbeaten he needs to repel WAR OF COURAGE, whose sheer consistency makes him a viable threat under regular pilot Moreira. The impeccably-bred SEVEN HEAVENS has it in him to take one of these out at a price, but perhaps not today.
Prediction: 14-4-1
