Neil Morrice brings us his best bets and tips for Saturday's racing at Ascot, Haydock Park, Kempton Park, Thirsk and Wolverhampton.
ASCOT
Race 2 No4 BOUQUET (Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Rab Havlin
BOUQUET was easy to back on her Newmarket debut but stayed on with purpose to trouble the judge. That satisfactory start is there to be built on and she can progress sufficiently to have the measure of the equally promising Godolphin filly Beautiful Secret.
Race 5 No5 STAR SEEKING
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Stoute brings hat-trick seeker Sunrise Valley back from a break but I think she will find stablemate STAR SEEKER a doughty foe. The selection has narrowly missed out on both her outings this year, and after such a select campaign probably has a fair bit more to offer.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 1 No2 HAFIT (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
Dubawi colt HAFIT landed some good bets in his Newmarket debut despite showing signs of greenness. The form could not have worked out better, with the second and third going on to score, and he will be more streetwise for this clash with three previous winners.
Race 2 Betfair Double Daily Rewards Superior Mile (Group 3)
No1 MY OBERON
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand
MY OBERON didn’t enjoy the rub of the green when out of the money in the City Of York Stakes and is worth the chance to put the record straight. Before that he’d contested successive Group 1s at Newbury, Longchamp and Ascot, and if able to rediscover his best form can give veteran and likely favourite Lord Glitters plenty to think about.
Race 3 No3 VALLEY FORGE
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
VALLEY FORGE looked to take out the valuable Melrose Handicap at York with a bit up his sleeve and is a staying prospect to follow. He’s moved a long way and quickly since breaking his maiden in a small race at Ffos Las, and can cope with a 7lb ratings rise for his York success.
Race 5 BETFAIR SPRINT CUP ( Group 1)
No1 ART POWER (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
Although he’s proved expensive to follow this year, I’m convinced there is a major sprint to be won with ART POWER. On ground that will probably be quicker than is sometimes the case in this highlight of the Haydock season, the grey can put behind him what was a lacklustre effort in the King George Stakes at Goodwood. His earlier fourth in the July Cup gives him work to do with Starman, but this is a different track and a new opportunity that he can take in his stride. Creative Force should also be included in all exotics.
Prediction: 1st ART POWER, 2nd Starman, 3rd Creative Force
KEMPTON PARK
Race 3 Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Sirenia Stakes ( Group 3)
No6 NYMPHADORA
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Pat Dobbs
This mixed-sex Pattern race can see NYMPHADORA stepping up the plate. Her frame finish in the Molecomb at Goodwood and eye taking run when just out of the money in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York are solid reasons to think she can outpoint some promising types that have work to do on the book if they are to beat her.
Race 4 Unibet September Stakes (Group 3)
No1 HUKUM (Nap)
Trainer: Owen Burrows – Jockey: Jim Crowley
The best race run at this course can see HUKUM completing a fine hat-trick. Winner of a Group 2 at York and a Group 3 at Newbury, he dodged a trip to Deauville to give him longer between races, and that ploy should bear fruit with further success before connections consider trips to the Breeders’ Cup in California and the Hong Kong Vase at the end of the year.
THIRSK
Race 1 No3 SIGNORINA MERISI (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: James Doyle
Doyle is an eye taking jockey booking for SIGNORINA MERISI, who has always promised to find her forte when pointed down the nursery highway. The Caravaggio filly has contested maidens at three Grade 1 courses, and although yet to earn needs to be taken seriously.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 5 No7 POSSIBLE MAN (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Mark Crehan
POSSIBLE MAN can add to his trainer’s good recent record in this race and looks the best bet on a tricky card. The son of Le Havre has progressed from two all-weather runs as a juvenile to earn in each of his four starts this year, including a tenacious triumph at Nottingham. He’s getting weight from each of his opponents and can take the spoils.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)
2, 3 x 6, 9 x 1, 2 x 4 x 7, 6 x 3, 4 x 1
R32
