Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Goodwood (Day 5), Newmarket, Hamilton Park, and Chepstow.
GOODWOOD
Race 4: No13 – BARBILL (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: John Egan
Returning after a gelding operation, BARBILL looked to land the spoils with plenty to spare at Haydock where he produced a smart turn of foot that put him well on top at the finish. He’s a horse that would appreciate some cut in the ground and won’t get that, but he will operate effectively on good going. He’s been in terrific form since that race and had a good each-way chance in this betting extravaganza of the week.
Race 5: No8 – SOCIETY LION (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Taken out of a handicap here on Wednesday, SOCIETY LION now finds himself in a smaller field but still with an outer draw to overcome. He’s run well on both starts this year, finding the mile trip a bridge too far at Newbury and then appearing to go for home too soon when heavily backed at Doncaster. He was run out of it at the finish on that occasion but will be managed for a later attack this time.
Race 7: No6 – HATS OFF TO LARRY
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: George Bass
HATS OFF TO LARRY has been trained with this race in mind since finishing second on his reappearance at Ripon in June. His second to Benadalid that day have teed him up nicely for this apprentices’ race in which the 7lb claim of his jockey will come in handily. A brief hurdling campaign was aborted, since when he’s been working very well at home under the competent Bass.
NEWMARKET
Race 4: No5 – MAHALE (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
MAHALE was made far too much use of in the Super Sprint at Newbury and can show she’s a lot better than her poor finishing position indicates. Previously beaten by the smart Caroline Dale at Windsor, she was dropped 3lb after her latest race and engages in nurseries from a fair mark with the champion jockey, who knows her well, back in the irons.
Race 5: No2 – INDIAN CREAK
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Three-year-old handicaps can be the most difficult puzzles to solve but with the benefit of a run under his belt INDIAN CREAK can make an impact. He’s been slow coming to hand this year and wasn’t helped by the lockdown. It was, therefore, no surprise that he could only make a mid-division finish on his return at Sandown in June. Importantly, he’s made great strides at home in recent weeks, while it was at this time last season that he recorded his previous success.
HAMILTON PARK
Race 3: No7 – EDGEWOOD
Trainer: Julie Camacho – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
EDGEWOOD responded positively to a change of scenery when scoring on his first run for Camacho over course and distance last month. He decisively took out that contest and is living up to the high hopes held for him by his original trainer. He’s been a great form limbering up for this.
Race 8: No8 – TEMPER TRAP (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
TEMPER TRAP has really got his act together since being sent down the handicap route although it was by the tiniest margin that he prevailed at Musselburgh last time. He landed a bit of a gamble on that occasion and, with little racing under his belt, has it in him to show further improvement.
CHEPSTOW
Race 3: No2 – DECORA
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Nicola Currie
DECORA hasn’t enjoyed the rub of the green in recent outings and at last, has a chance to deliver in a smaller field. The daughter of Conduit doesn’t do anything in a hurry but has a new pilot who could extract the slight improvement that leads to an overdue first career triumph.
Race 5: No14 – EVA ICON (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Nicola Currie
EVA ICON belied her 33-1 starting price when beaten only by Run Forrest Run at this course first time up and has a good chance of going one better. She will be more streetwise today and can take the spoils on the way to better things.
