Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Sunday’s racing coming your way from the UK and Ireland.
NEWBURY
Race 4 No9 MAHALE (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
The featured Super Sprint is always a tricky puzzle to unravel but if MAHALE enjoys the rub of the green she has a fine chance of being involved. She found a sixth furlong a bridge too far when weakening at the end of the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, then ran into the smart Caroline Dale at Windsor. There was no disgrace in that defeat, and she’s been in good form at home.
Race 5 No4 FOX TAL
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
The lightly raced FOX TAL ran well on his return from an eight month absence when sixth to Mountain Angel in a Listed race at Royal Ascot. He started second favourite on the back of some encouraging homework, but might have just needed the run. Remaining at the same class level for this Stevenson Stakes, he can start to live up to his early career potential.
Race 6 No2 SELINO (Nap)
Trainer: James Fanshawe – Jockey: Daniel Muscat
SELINO is all about stamina and can demonstrate his appreciation for a step up to two miles by taking out this Marsh Cup on the way to better things. The Champs Elysees gelding scored decisively on his previous try at the distance, at Wolverhampton last autumn, and found only handicap blot Fujaira Prince his master over a mile and threequarters at Royal Ascot. Further to his winning claims is that his task has been eased by the defection of Australis.
YORK
Race 1 No7 JADOOMI (Nap)
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: William Buick
Crisford tends to send his better juveniles to the Knavesmire and JADOOMI can show he’s a case in point. The son of Holy Roman Emperor made a pleasing start to his career when third at Haydock, the form of which was boosted when the winner finished second in a Group 2 at Newmarket. He is going to come on a bundle for that experience, and can prove too strong for the penalised Star Of Orion.
Race 3 No9 SPRIGHT
Trainer: Karl Burke – Jockey: Clifford Lee
SPRIGHT started a 50-1 roughie on her debut at Doncaster only to make a bold fist of leading every step of the way. With her stable in good form with its juveniles she can show it was no fluke by opening her account.
Race 6 No16 JOVIAL
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
The least experienced in the 19-runner field for this competitive fillies’ Group 3, JOVIAL can consolidate the good impression made with three wins and a close second in Listed company from only five outings. The Dubawi filly went down fighting to Under The Stars in that race at Haydock and should also benefit from her trainer’s decision to bring her back to the sprint distance.
Race 7 No7 ALFRED BOUCHER (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Marco Ghiani
Since completing a fine hat-trick last summer ALFRED BOUCHER hasn’t done much wrong and deserves to pick up a valuable handicap such as this. There isn’t much of the grey, but he is a doughty performer whose will to win can count for plenty in a tight finish.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No2 CROCO BAY (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Kieran Woods
CROCO BAY’s selective campaign since landing the Grand Annual Challenge Cup as a 12-year-old didn’t produce another triumph but showed he still packs a punch. The veteran finished ninth to Chosen Mate in the 2020 renewal and after being dropped 3lb can outclass his foes in this two miler.
Race 6 No1 ENEMY COAST AHEAD
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Adrian Heskin
Although he carries a penalty for his recent course and distance win, ENEMY COAST AHEAD negates that with his budding potential. He did well to reel in the cleverly ridden Medalla De Oro two weeks ago, and can stave off the challenges of Flint Hill and hurdling debutant Loch Ness Monster.
Race 7 No5 MAN OF PLENTY (Each Way)
Trainer: Sophie Leech – Jockey: Sean Houlihan
MAN OF PLENTY might not be quite the force of old but the 11-year-old has it in him to end a losing run going back to December 2018. In that period he’s raced in Ireland and France as well as traversing the UK. He could well get the strongly run race that best suits his style of running.
CURRAGH
Race 3 No2 FRENETIC
Trainer: Ger Lyons – Jockey: Colin Keane
Aidan O’Brien has More Beautiful backing up Mother Earth in a Group 2 contest most expect him to win, but so impressive was FRENETIC in a Listed race over five furlongs here last month that the Kodiac filly is taken to usurp both of them. She powered five lengths clear of Mooneista that day, having beaten Mother Earth fair and square on her debut at Navan. On neither occasion was she stopping, signalling this move up to six furlongs will prove ideal.
Race 4 No3 A’ALI
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: Colin Keane
After an underwhelming display at the Santa Anita Breeders’ Cup, A’ALI has done much to restore his reputation as a sprinter going places. That evidence came to light with his storming win in the Group 3 Coral Charge at Sandown, after which this race was immediately targeted as the next step for the Society Rock colt. If turning up in the same mood he can take out this Group 2 Sapphire Stakes on the way to even better things.
Race 5 No7 ONE VOICE (Nap)
Trainer: Jessica Harrington – Jockey: Scott Foley
This fillies and mares Group 2 can go to the upwardly mobile ONE VOICE as she steps back a tad on the distance ladder. The daughter of Poet’s Voice gamely repelled Snow in a mile and a quarter Group 3 at Leopardstown last month to show herself as potentially the latest top class distaffer in the care of Harrington, who has done so well with fillies in the past few years.
