Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing taking place at Pontefract and Happy Valley.
Pontefract Best Bets
Race 5: No8 – LEAPERS WOOD (Each Way)
LEAPERS WOOD enjoys the luxury of the rail which tends to be an advantage on the stiff sprint track here. On the pick of his juvenile form he’s fairly treated, while the switch to Paul Midgley’s yard could also prove a step in the right direction.
Race 6: No8 – OLEG (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Megan Nicholls
This trainer and daughter combo should be respected with their occasional runners on the Flat and OLEG is a case in point. The grey has delivered over hurdles, fences, and most recently on the level, cruising clear on handicap debut at Southwell. He’s been raised to a mark of 79 but the likelihood is he’s still a step ahead of the assessor.
Race 7: No8 – THEATRO
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe – Jockey: Graham Lee
THEATRO represents a Nottingham race from last autumn that proved to be red hot. In finishing second he had Buriram just behind, while the winner Goshen started favourite for the Triumph Hurdle which he was unlucky not to win. The O’Keeffe stable has made a solid enough start to the campaign, and this son of Camelot bears close inspection.
Race 9: No3 – TURNTABLE
Trainer: Chris Wall – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
A change of stables may improve the lightly-raced TURNTABLE, whose last public appearance at Brighton promised of better to come. He was second on that handicap debut, and is now with a man that does well with new recruits. The Pivotal gelding should go well, with his chance heightened should rain arrive.
Happy Valley Best Bets
Race 1: No5 – HARRIER JET
Trainer: Paul O’Sullivan – Jockey: Zac Purton
Class dropper HARRIER JET can get us off to a good start in the opener. He’s been around the block a few times but interestingly has only once enjoyed the services of Purton, under whom he will break from a perfect slot in gate 3. He looked on the way back when third with blinkers added behind Flying Bonus last time. TRUE LEGEND needs to show he can cut the mustard at this city track following four runs and one win at Sha Tin. He has more scope than the vast majority of his foes and should be involved. ATHENA is one that could be on a different latitude but is even more inexperienced. He made big strides from debut to second start, troubling the judge that day, and looks a danger to all.
Prediction: 5-3-6
Race 2: No3 – PARTY TOGETHER
Trainer: Peter Ho – Jockey: Antoine Hamelin
Longstanding maiden PARTY TOGETHER can finally put it all together, although in one of the trickiest races on the card. He’s run well to earn in two of his last three and has Hamelin back in the plate. The Frenchman has a knack of getting the best out of difficult customers like the selection, and needs to work some of that magic. A similar profile is afforded to DRAGON COMMANDER, who has never won in Hong Kong. However, he closed strongly at the finish of his latest outing, and could finally end the drought. Class dropper SUPER FAST has been in the wilderness, but could also get into it if in the mood.
Prediction: 3-6-1
Race 3: No5 – V CHEVALIERS
Trainer: Peter Ho – Jockey: Vagner Borges
V CHEVALIERS is 0 from 8 but has looked far happier for a recent switch to the Valley, finishing second and fourth on his only two outings at the city course. Borges enjoyed a first feel of him last time and the combination look one of the better betting propositions on the card. E GENERATION has taken time to settle into Hong Kong racing but can improve now he is stepped up in trip. For a bigger threat to the main pick however consider HAPPY HOUR, back to his last winning mark with Zac Purton, the man on board that day, returning to his saddle.
Prediction: 5-4-11
Race 4: No3 – FLYING GENIUS
Trainer: Tony Cruz – Jockey: Karis Teetan
From a favourable draw, FLYING GENIUS can deservedly take this out and gain a third course and distance triumph. He’s been threatening to score for a while, and just needs the rub of the green at the business end of the contest. The joker in the pack is once-raced METRO WARRIOR. He got the hang of things too late on debut for John Moore and will need to have learned plenty to dispatch his foes at this track, though that can’t be completely ruled out. A drop back to 1000 metres will make it more difficult for recent scorer FLYING BONUS to lead, but should he get to the front he can also figure.
Prediction: 3-4-6
Race 5: No5 – FEARLESS FIRE
Trainer: Caspar Fownes – Jockey: Victor Wong
FEARLESS FIRE found his form around this time last year before having blinkers added for the last nine of his 13 starts this season. He seems far more effective at this course and if reacting to the return from six races at Sha Tin, can raise his game accordingly. DESTINE JEWELLERY is drawn to enjoy the run of the race and one to put into all exotics, while Zac Purton’s return to the saddle of AMAZING makes that one of a lot more interest than would normally be the case.
Prediction: 5-8-6
Race 6: No4 – SKY DARCI
Trainer: Caspar Fownes – Jockey: Joao Moreira
SKY DARCI failed to menace when returning off a lengthy break at Sha Tin, but showed sufficient to indicate he’s retained the ability that saw him win and finish second in his only previous appearances at that course last year. Furthermore, he was not unduly persevered within a run that should have put the cutting edge on him as Moreira jumps into the irons for the first time. CONFUCIUS DAY has the massively in form Alfie Chan taking 7lbs off his back and should figure, while if getting away on terms MOMENTUM GALAXY will be a threat to all.
Prediction: 4-1-3
Race 7: No7 – DELIGHTFUL LAOS
Trainer: Tony Cruz – Jockey: Karis Teetan
Ex Irish DELIGHTFUL LAOS was unwanted in the betting when scoring on his Hong Kong debut and then failed to build on it behind SURREALISM on a return to this course and distance. However, the effort was better than it looked, as the colt came from well off the pace and posted a run that went largely under the radar. Given the likelihood of improvement and his good position in the gate, he can bounce back and outpoint both Surrealism and CINQUANTE CINQ, who from gate 4 has to be of interest under Zac Purton.
Prediction: 7-2-6
Race 8: No5 – CALIFORNIA RAD
Trainer: Tony Cruz – Jockey: Karis Teetan
Though outfought by Golden Dash last time, CALIFORNIA RAD lost no caste in defeat. He’d won his previous two starts and deserves to carry on climbing up the ratings, which he will need to do to succeed in this. His excellent early speed can help him obtain a good pitching position from gate 8. COMPASSION SPIRIT is a pea out of the same pod in many ways. He’s looking to complete a hat-trick under Purton and has a better draw than the main pick. Whichever way you look at it he will be hard to beat. PING HAI GALAXY also goes in after a near-miss last time.
Prediction: 5-7-3
Race 9: No9 – GOLDEN DASH (Nap)
Trainer: Danny Shum – Jockey: Zac Purton
GOLDEN DASH takes a step up the class ladder but has the wherewithal to prove up to the task in hand and leave the best until last. His training problems are hopefully a thing of the past, and mean he’s lightly-raced with scope for continued improvement. He has a good draw to get close to the pace under Purton, who punched him out for a gutsy win over California Rad over course and distance last time. All being well that rival can give him a boost by running well in the previous race. Form horses look set to dominate and HONG KONG WIN can have a big say from gate 1 while CLASSIC UNICORN can also earn now he’s back in the zone.
Prediction: 9-3-8
