Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Friday 10 May 2024

CHESTER

Race 3 No4 BOX TO BOX
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: William Buick

Locally trained BOX TO BOX has won here in each of the last three seasons, and has solid claims to add to that good record. He enjoyed a profitable campaign in Bahrain in the winter, earning in three of his four outings, and could be the one to bustle up impressive Pontefract scorer BOLSTER.

Race 4 IRE-INCENTIVE IT OAYS TO BUY IRISH HUXLEY STAKES (Group 2)

No6 PASSENGER (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote

Certain Lad would have been the choice following his sterling first run back in the John Porter. However, with clement weather conditions persisting he may not run, leaving PASSENGER as the one to be on. The Ulysses colt became favourite for the Derby after landing the Wood Ditton, but after a defeat in the Dante beat only two home at Epsom. To his credit, he returned from a freshening break to get home by a whisker in the Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor. If Stoute has a top class middle distance horse in the Bay Bridge mould then this looks the one.

Race 5 DUKE OF WESTMINSTER SUPPORTING THE CHESTER CUP HANDICAP

No12 ZOFFEE (Each Way)
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Harry Davies

Bottom weight GRAND PROVIDENCE figures to attract plenty of support in Chester’s most historic race, the filly having shaped with promise when claiming a minor cheque on her return at Newbury. Having left money behind that day, there’s been steady support for her in the ante-post market, and she’s respected. Top weight FALCON EIGHT is a previous winner of the race, and along with his compatriot, THE SHUNTER also enters calculations. MAGELLAN STRAIT is another Irish-trained runner that can get into the argument for Joseph O’Brien, but although he’s been out of form of late ZOFFEE has the ability to raise his game and avenge a cruel defeat by Metier in this 12 months ago. After that his good run at Royal Ascot bottomed the eight-year-old. He wasn’t the same in three subsequent outings and has struggled over hurdles. However, he’s thrived since returning to Manor House Stables and can definitely make an impact.

Prediction: 1st ZOFFEE, 2nd Grand Providence, 3rd Magellan Strait, 4th The Shunter

ASCOT

Race 2 No2 MISS RASCAL (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Tom Marquand

MISS RASCAL had no luck in running on her debut at Newmarket when sixth to It Ain’t Two. The daughter of Havana Gold has blossomed in her subsequent work and can show by opening her account that she’s more than worthy of a crack at the Queen Mary.

Race 6 No9 THE SMILING WOLF (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex

While he will start as a roughie THE SMILING WOLF can get into the shake-up in a wide open heat. There’s not much of the Twilight Son gelding, but he has an engine and if going forward from his heavy defeat at Haydock could put his number on the board. TERAABB is a more obvious contender who came from last to first when scoring on his return and could have more to offer.

Race 7 No4 BAILEYS KHELSTAR
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Archie Young

BAILEYS KHELSTAR proved a good money spinner to his owners last year, and came back in similar mood to stylishly deliver from the front at Southwell. Though carrying a penalty, he’s well in if his future rating is taken into account, and can take care of business.

RIPON

Race 2 No4 MATTICE (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Duran Fentiman

It’s hard to knock MATTICE, who after ending the 2023 campaign with a victory at Beverley posted a near miss on his reappearance and is now 3lb higher. That rise shouldn’t be enough to stop him earning again for a trainer who rarely leaves this fixture empty-handed.

Race 6 No9 ON THE BUBBLE (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Haslam – Jockey: Andrew Breslin

ON THE BUBBLE stepped up on previous efforts to score easily at Redcar for which she carries a 6lb penalty. That is softened by the 3lb claim of her rider, and the daughter of Land Force can win again.

MARKET RASEN

Race 4 No3 LEGIONAR (Nap)
Trainer: Harriet Dickin – Jockey: Harry Cobden

LEGIONAR has with his two recent victories done much to elevate Dickin’s fortunes. The six-year-old is 4lb higher than for his Hereford win, but appeals as a horse that hasn’t stopped improving, making a hat-trick of successes more likely than less.

NOTTINGHAM

Race 3 No6 JAMES WEBB (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Rhys Clutterbuck

Inner Peace and Padesha both shaped promisingly on their respective debuts, but my best news concerns JAMES WEBB, an American Pharoah colt who has delighted connections in his build-up to this first-ever run. I shall be more confident if the market speaks in favour of him, but will back him regardless.

SEDGEFIELD

Race 1 No7 OSCAR DOODLE (Nap)
Trainer: Brian Ellison – Jockey: Conor O’Farrell

OSCAR DOODLE has twice performed well on the level since troubling the judge on his hurdling bow over this course and distance in February. The grey therefore holds stronger claims than most, and can add to his trainer’s good overall record here.