Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket, York, Chepstow, and Kempton Park on 11 October 2024.
NEWMARKET
Race 4 THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY EMPLOYEE AWARDS CHALLENGE STAKES (Group 2)
No5 ROYAL SCOTSMAN
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
In the third of five Group races on an excellent card, ROYAL SCOTSMAN can put his best foot forward. He’s not been seen since routing his field over an extended mile in the Diomed Stakes at Epsom, after which thoughts were harboured of running him in the July Cup.
He’s had anything but a smooth passage through the summer, but now tried at 1400 metres can serve up another dominating display.
Race 5 BET 365 FILLIES MILE (Group 1)
No6 JANUARY (Nap)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
The only Group 1 on the card involves a top class field of whom six of the seven starters could prevail. DESERT FLOWER will head the market in pursuit of an unbeaten four-timer for Gosolphin while TABITI also puts an impressive unbeaten record in the line.
However, Aidan O’Brien fields three quality fillies of whom JANUARY looks the pick. Whilst having been beaten in three of her five outings her defeat by Desert Flower in the May Hill Stakes can now be overturned.
Race 6 No4 MOUNT ATLAS (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
MOUNT ATLAS scored with a lot in hand at Ascot to appeal as a horse who can make hay in handicaps through the autumn.
He’s now 7lb higher, but with his liking for plenty of cut in the ground can consolidate on that achievement and parry the challenge of SUN GOD, on whom a saver is recommended.
Race 7 NEWMARKET PONY ACADEMY PRIDE STAKES (Group 3)
No10 DANCE SEQUENCE
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
This distaffers’ Group 3 has 15 going to post to echo its wide openness. If she can turn back the clock to the spring, Godolphin’s DANCE SEQUENCE can prove the pick. The 1,000 Guineas runner-up has not been seen since finishing last in the French Oaks, but nevertheless brings easily the best form to the table.
YORK
Race 3 No1 MASTER BUILDER (Nap)
Trainer: David Menuisier – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
MASTER BUILDER carded a very smooth success at Haydock when opening his account in handicaps. This strong stayer races for only a sixth time in his career in a race that has cut up in his favour.
Race 5 No7 GOOD EARTH (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: David Allan
GOOD EARTH has probably copped a good draw in 18, and should be backed to take away a cheque as he was unluckily edged into third in a blanket finish at Hamilton that strongly suggests he’s on the cusp of a return to winning ways.
CHEPSTOW
Race 2 No4 PALACIO (Each Way)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
This looks the more open of the two divisions of the novices’ hurdle and a market watch is advised on PALACIO who showed promise in a Warwick bumper and can do better in this part of the jumping sphere for a stable having its first runner of the season.
Race 3 No8 REGATTA DE BLANC (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Harry Nicholls
REGATTA DE BLANC scored by a distance in a chase here in May and subsequently moved to Nicholls who can reap a rich harvest with the Shirocco mare, starting with victory in this novices’ hurdle. The testing ground will play to her strengths.
Race 4 No6 VINCENZO
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnson
VINCENZO belatedly opened his account over hurdles on his final start of last season but was unfortunate to run into some smart foes such as Diamond Ri and Pic Roc in his previous outings. He needs to have improved in order to win this Grade 2, but all the indications are that he has.
Race 5 No2 GOOD BOY BOBBY
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
GOOD BOY BOBBY is just a pound higher in the weights than when taking out this race on his return to the fray 12 months ago. Granted his liking for the course and the excellent form of his stable, the veteran can make a bold fist of staging a repeat.
Race 6 No9 MOON HUNTER (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
MOON HUNTER spent last season out in the wilderness but has consequently became favourably handicapped. He’s getting a handy weight concession from his rivals and first time back might be the time to cash in on him.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 6 No1 FRENCH MASTER (Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Benoit De La Sayette
Frankel colt FRENCH MASTER was an authoritative and well-supported winner at Doncaster, showing how much he’d benefitted from his first run at Sandown. Trying to concede 7lb to Al Ameed will be no easy task, but the latter has squandered a few chances and become expensive to follow.
Race 7 No2 THROUBI
Trainer: James Fanshawe – Jockey: Kaiya Fraser
Progressive filly THROUBI can cock another snook at the handicapper by completing a hat-trick in this competitive Class4 staying race. The daughter of Teofilo makes just a fifth appearance of the year, and with the assistance of emergent apprentice Fraser in her saddle can repel recent scorer ROCKIT TOMMY.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 3-9)
7 x 9, 2, 12 x 12 x 1 x 12, 2, 5, 6 x 5, 12, 14, 13 x 3, 1
R96
