Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing taking place at Newbury, Ripon, and Stratford.
NEWBURY
Race 1: No1 – CAIRN GORM (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand
CAIRN GORM landed quite a gamble on debut at Windsor and has given the impression at home that he could be a Listed or Group class colt. He’s giving away 7lb and upwards to his foes in a big field but can remain unbeaten on the way to better things.
Race 4: No10 – HISTORIC
Trainer: Saeed Bin Suroor – Jockey: Gabrielle Malune
HISTORIC kept good company on his two juvenile starts at York and came back to make a third frame finish in as many outings at Chelmsford. The Shamardal colt doesn’t look badly treated on this handicap debut, with a capable apprentice taking 3lb off his back.
Race 6: No10 – SEA OF STYLE
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand
Windsor scorer Nova Roma will go off short for this first division of the novice but in receipt of 12lb SEA OF STYLE can give him plenty to think about. The daughter of Sea The Stars represents the connections of Sea Of Class and has shown plenty of promise in her preparatory work in Newmarket. Haggas likes to bring the cream of his debutants here, which is a tip in itself.
Race 7: No3 – DARAIN
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
By Dubawi out of Group 1 winner Dar Re Mi, DARAIN has a lot to to live up to on pedigree alone but can make an immediate impact in the colours of Qatar Racing. The brother to champion two-year-old Too Darn Hot has done everything right in the build up to this eagerly awaited introduction.
RIPON
Race 2: No11 – BRING THE MONEY
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: George Bass
On his first run since early February, BRING THE MONEY can live up to his name on a first outing on grass. The Anjaal gelding is the least exposed runner in the field and should strip fit enough to do himself justice.
Race 7: No7 – DEEP SNOW (Nap)
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor – Jockey: Hector Crouch
DEEP SNOW hasn’t been seen for the best part of a year, but as a once-raced filly who showed plenty on that debut she should be more than capable of taking out this maiden for Godolphin. The daughter of Bated Breath is bred to enjoy the mile trip and can outpoint Golden Hind.
Race 8: No5 – OSKANA ASTANKOVA
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Franny Norton
Named after the assassin in Killing Eve, OSKANA ASTANKOVA should relish the underfoot conditions that are likely to get easier if the forecast rain arrives. She gamely delivered on her Lingfield reappearance and skipped an opportunity last month to wait for suitable ground.
STRATFORD
Race 5: No8 – NINEOHTWOONEOH (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
NINEOHTWOONEOH has the points on the board in this novices’ handicap chase, having landed a similar contest at Southwell on chase debut last week with plenty up his sleeve. He will be hard to beat under a 7lb penalty, having taken those exertions in his stride.
Race 6: No5 – WISECRACKER
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Bryony Frost
This stable has hit the ground running in the opening days of the new jumps season, and WISECRACKER can add to its haul on his first outing since scoring at Hereford last November. Frost has forged a good understanding with the gelding, having partnered him yo that victory and in six of his last seven outings.
