Neil Morrice brings you all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Sandown Park, Doncaster, Perth, Chepstow and Worcester.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 2 No5 DINGLE
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
DINGLE ran a cracker on his return at Newbury last weekend and has to be of serious interest notwithstanding this is another run in quick succession. He was probably up against a Group horse in getting to within two and a quarter lengths of Mithras, and even though this is similarly hot he can make his mark with an earning run.
Race 3 BET 365 GORDON RICHARDS STAKES (Group 3)
No3 HIGHEST GROUND (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
HIGHEST GROUND has won first time out in both seasons he’s raced so far, and can carry on the excellent good start made this season by his legendary trainer, who has bagged the last three runnings of this. The son of Frankel couldn’t cope with Thunderous in the Dante at York but has excelled in two recent gallops with Moore in the plate.
Race 5 BET 365 CLASSIC TRIAL (Group 3)
No8 SIR LUCAN
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Godolphin is a short price to take out this Investec Derby trial with one of its protagonists Yibir and Adayar, but one that can cause the pair problems is SIR LUCAN, even though his form in three juvenile starts leaves him with work to do. In fairness, the son of Camelot finished strongly to get into the money in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh behind his much-vaunted stablemate High Definition, but then struggled to open his account in a Cork maiden. However, the vibes from across the water is that he’s done well for his winter break.
Race 6 No3 CHIASMA
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Frankie Dettori
A full sister to the one and only Frankel, CHIASMA can make her mark on racecourse debut having shown plenty of ability in her preparatory work. She is only the second filly out of the mare Kind and is the first offspring of that mare to hit the track in five years, and also a full sister to the smart Noble Mission.
DONCASTER
Race 1 No3 CREDENCE STAR (Nap)
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: PJ McDonald
American-bred CREDENCE STAR created a good impression when troubling the judge on debut over seven furlongs here last month. The son of Triple Crown hero American Pharaoh will be wiser and hails from a stable whose juveniles usually progress a lot from debut.
Race 5 No3 SASHENKA
Trainer: Michael Scudamore – Jockey: Liam Keniry
SASHENKA was beaten at short prices on each of her five outings over hurdles through the winter although she would have prevailed at Catterick but for falling. With her fitness guaranteed and no obstacles to negociate, she can provide her connections with an overdue pay day.
PERTH
Race 2 No1 MORNING VICAR
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
MORNING VICAR was just starting to get competitive in the Topham when he was cannoned into and lost his pilot jumping the Foinavon fence. That Aintree reverse can be sweetened with a victory in this novices’ limited handicap chase. The selection is by Beneficial whose progeny tend to prefer quicker conditions, while this also marks a drop in grade for this capable operator.
Race 3 No9 TEA TIME ON MARS (Each Way)
Trainer: Sue Gardner – Jockey: Lucy Gardner
The Highland National forms the highlight of the three-day Perth Festival and one that is sure to enjoy the prevailing conditions is TEA TIME ON MARS. He’s been lightly-raced this season on mainly easy conditions. The nine-year-old needs to show he can operate on better ground, but if doing so can build on his fine effort to finish second in the Devon National at Exeter last time.
Race 4 No7 KAKAMORA (Nap)
Trainer: Tom George – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Huntingdon scorer KAKAMORA is amongst a clutch of novices now finding their way down the handicap route and has more going for him than most. He’s lightly-raced, is going to enjoy track, trip and ground and has more room for progression than his foes.
CHEPSTOW
Race 3 No4 ARTHUR’S REUBEN (Nap)
Trainer: Sean Curran – Jockey: James Davies
Returning to the scene of his success over two miles and seven furlongs two starts back, ARTHUR’S REUBEN has been handed a great chance to return to winning ways. He was narrowly denied at Huntingdon on latest start, but goes up 5lb from next week. His shrewd trainer is understandably keen to strike while he can.
WORCESTER
Race 2 No3 CUSHUISH (Nap)
Trainer: Bob Buckler – Jockey: Harry Skelton
CUSHUISH jumped superbly when landing some good bets at Wincanton, and with champion elect Skelton in the plate will be hard to beat if doing so again. Her main rival Agent Valdez landed a small race at Sedgefield but can make costly errors, and is worth taking on.
Race 5 No2 CHAMPAGNE MYSTERY
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: James Bowen
CHAMPAGNE MYSTERY looked a different horse back over hurdles at Kempton last month and must be given the chance to back that up in what looks a winnable race at a track that should suit.
