Neil Morrice brings you all of his best bets and tips from Saturday’s racing at Chester, Newcastle, Newmarket, Windsor and Doncaster.
CHESTER
Race 5 No7 SALIGO BAY (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Charlton – Jockey: Saffie Osborne
As the least experienced in this field and having put in a career-best last time, SALIGO BAY can step up to the plate and open his account for a stable starting to find a bit of form. He’s been taking on some decent tackle, including Royal Ascot scorer Foxes Tales.
Race 7 No10 POWERALLIED (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Fahey – Jockey: Paddy Mathers
Track specialist POWERALLIED ran better than his finishing position indicates here last time, suggesting he could soon come out of the wilderness. Aside from not having the kindest of draws, everything looks set for a big run.
NEWCASTLE
Race 4 No6 RAYMOND (Each Way)
Trainer: Keith Dalgleish – Jockey: Billy Garrity
RAYMOND has proved a model of consistency and can put in another earning run in this consolation race for the Northumberland Plate. His gritty York triumph last month suggests he’s better than ever, whilst he also has winning form here, albeit over a much shorter trip.
Race 5 No1 TRUESHAN
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Rhys Clutterbuck
Easy underfoot conditions are of paramount importance to TRUESHAN, who heads the market for the so-called Pitman’s Derby after being scratched from the Gold Cup just minutes before that Royal Ascot highlight. A winner of seven of only 12 career starts, he ran the smart Japan to three-quarters of a length in a Group 3 at Chester which makes him the class act in this hugely competitive handicap. Rainbow Dreamer and Hochfeld are others worth putting into the exotic mix.
Race 6 No6 HASTY SAILOR (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ben Curtis
With the profile of an unexposed improver, and Curtis an eye taking jockey booking, HASTY SAILOR is of serious interest as the best bet on the card. He might have needed his comeback outing at Doncaster, a run that should have put the cutting edge on him.
NEWMARKET
Race 5 Close Brothers Criterion Stakes (Group 3)
No2 DUKE OF HAZZARD (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Shane Kelly
The day’s highlight should be run at a strong pace which will suit DUKE OF HAZZARD. The selection looked unhappy in a small field when third to Space Traveller in a York Listed race and is better than his performance indicates. It’s almost two years since his last win, but he can show there’s still power under the bonnet.
Race 6 No7 FRANKLET (Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Rab Havlin
Frankel filly FRANKLET had to work to land some good bets at Salisbury but remains of serious interest on this handicap debut. The three-year-olds look a more powerful bunch than the older fillies, and she has scope for plenty of improvement for top connections.
WINDSOR
Race 6 No6 DIAMONDS DANCING (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: George Bass
DIAMONDS DANCING has not been without her problems, a fact mirrored by this being only her second career start. However, she put in some excellent work on grass on Tuesday and is ready to serve it up to paper favourite Fernando Rah.
Race 7 No6 SLY MADAM (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: George Bass
A poor run from SLY MADAM earlier in the week is best forgiven as she was way too free and ran herself into the ground. At a big double-figure price, she could get into the money in this apprentice handicap, but she needs to settle.
DONCASTER
Race 7 No2 STEEL AN ICON (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Theodore Ladd
STEEL AN ICON has been a revelation for her connections, consistently defying the handicapper. Her trainer pitches her out just 48 hours after a fourth win on the spin at Nottingham and is understandably keen to strike before she is reassessed.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)
7, 11 x 13, 2 x 3 x 2, 7 x 5, 3, 10 x 6, 2 x 2, 3
R96
