Neil Morrice brings you all of his best bets and tips from Friday’s racing at Ascot, York, Uttoxeter, Newmarket and Chepstow.
ASCOT
Race 4 Valiant Stakes (Group 3)
No3 LIGHTS ON
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Stoute is a dab hand with fillies like LIGHTS ON, who has made gradual improvement through the season and now has her first crack at a Group race. She gains valuable black type with her wide margin Listed success at Pontefract last time and goes to war with her tail up.
Race 5 No8 ALFRED BOUCHER (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: David Probert
The grey ALFRED BOUCHER hasn’t won for nearly two years, but when chasing homeStrawberry Rock at Windsor last time was notching a sixth earning run in succession. These ‘Swiss watch’ qualities can carry him into another frame finish.
Race 6 No4 SIGNIFICANTLY (Nap)
Trainer: Karl Burke – Jockey: Clifford Lee
SIGNIFICANTLY has done us a couple of favours, and now is no time to desert him. He was gameness personified when scoring at the Royal meeting last month and also when following up over course and distance earlier in the month. In current mood, a fine hat-trick is on the cards.
YORK
Race 4 No2 ALPINE STAR
Trainer: Jessica Harrington – Jockey: Shane Foley
ALPINE STAR escapes a penalty for her Coronation Stakes triumph last year and is head and shoulders above her foes in this Listed race return. It should tee her up nicely for some big targets in the late summer and autumn.
Race 6 No2 SIR TITUS (Nap)
Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: Graham Lee
SIR TITUS ploughed a lone furrow when completing a hat-trick at Haydock and this uncomplicated powerhouse could easily have more to give on first visit to the Knavesmire. The sprint track favours front runners and is slightly downhill, making it easier for horses to carry weight.
UTTOXETER
Race 1 No4 KING’S PROCTOR (Nap)
Trainer: Milton Harris – Jockey: Harry Reed
Unlucky to be beaten at CARTMEL the other day, KING’S PROCTOR can bounce back. He’s the one with most scope for progression in the race, he is strongly fancied to get the job done.
Race 2 No9 HEY BOB
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Lewis Stones
HEY BOB attracted support in each of two races he was declared for, only to be an eleventh-hour scratching. If this is indeed his first run for his new trainer the gelding is of considerable interest. Murphy is a master at improving one, and the same can ring true with this hood up horse.
NEWMARKET
Race 1 No5 ORIENTAL BEAUTY (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Dane O’Neill
Long striding filly ORIENTAL BEAUTY went out very quickly at Bath in a race that afforded her a handicap mark. Put a line through that run and she is of interest, as she attracted considerable support on debut at Goodwood before finishing in the money at Chepstow.
Race 2 No1 BERKSHIRE PHOENIX (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Having attracted support on each of his three starts, BERKSHIRE PHOENIX can now play the experience card to good effect. The Bungle Inthejungle gelding can take out this novice before heading down the nursery route.
CHEPSTOW
Race 4 No6 THEGREYVTRAIN (Each Way)
Trainer: Ron Harris – Jockey: L Browne
As long as her race at Bath on Tuesday hasn’t left its mark, THEGREYVTRAIN has a big chance of taking home a cheque in this sprint handicap. The selection showed a willing attitude before being grabbed by Ruby Cottage to post her best run since the spring.
