Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Brighton, Musselburgh, Thirsk, Newmarket, and Haydock Park.
BRIGHTON
Race 2 No1 WHISTLE AND FLUTE
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton – Jockey: Charles Bishop
This novice has cut up to provide WHISTLE AND FLUTE with a good opportunity to get his mojo back. The Dandy Man colt looked to have a bright future when scoring on debut and then finishing second to Bakeel at Ascot, but his form has regressed. It’s the fact that he’s now in calmer waters that can assist him in regaining the winning thread.
Race 3 No4 SMEATON’S LIGHT (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: George Bass
SMEATON’S LIGHT has a strong earning chance now returned to his optimum trip, one over which he wasn’t beaten far in a better race at Newmarket last time. With a strong pace guaranteed in this bigger field and on a first visit to this track he has good win and place claims.
Race 6 No2 UNSUNG HERO (Nap)
Trainer: Heather Main – Jockey: Rhys Clutterbuck
Given he has few miles on his racing clock, UNSUNG HERO can step lively to take out this bottom tier handicap. The son of Iffraaj returned from a mid season break to go down in a blanket finish on handicap debut at Leicester, and if building on that will surely open his account.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 2 No3 WEN MOON (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Haslam – Jockey: Andrew Mullen
WEN MOON skipped an opportunity at Ripon last Sunday and now finds himself in a slightly easier heat, with paper favourite New Definition the stumbling block between further success. The selection showed abundant promise when opening his account at Ripon, and has made great strides subsequently to make him the best bet on the card.
Race 5 No4 MANIGORDO (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Cam Hardie
MANIGORDO has been a slow burner this year, and with just one success from 22 starts since changing stables hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. That said, one of his better efforts happened on his sole visit to this course, and it would be wrong to underestimate him.
THIRSK
Race 2 No7 SPARKLING RED (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Connor Beasley
SPARKLING RED has bumped into a couple of smart rivals and not been beaten far by the likes of Maria Branwell and Florida Filly. It would be unwise to judge her 222 figures negatively, and with her trainer hitting every target going she can be backed to open her account.
Race 5 No12 LINCOLN PRIDE (Each Way)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Shane Gray
LINCOLN PRIDE didn’t appear to take much out of herself when swooping late at Newcastle on Wednesday. She looked to have more in hand than her margin of victory suggests as she was pulling away at the finish, and granted a good pace to aim at in this big field she can post another earning effort.
NEWMARKET
Race 3 No9 PAISANO (Each Way)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rob Hornby
Several of the big Newmarket yards are represented in a race that will appeal to the purist. There’s no public form to go on, but PAISANO has a beautiful pedigree (by Dubawi out of an Oasis Dream mare), and makes the journey to HQ with good vibes from the gallops.
Race 4 No4 ACHNAMARA (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Cieren Fallon
ACHNAMARA frequently attracts market support and was all the rage before his narrow defeat by Animato at Doncaster. A horse that’s kept good company throughout the season, he’s better when operating in a small field, as is the case here, and holds good prospects of getting onto an easy lead.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 4 No8 POL ROGER
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Phil Dennis
Vince Le Prince made no mistake on debut but now has to shoulder a penalty against potential improvers Westerton and Venetian. One that could trump them all, however, is POL ROGER. Named after his sire Churchill’s favourite tipple, he made a good impression in chasing home Taritino on debut at Redcar and has learned a good deal from that experience.
Race 5 No1 GOLD AURA (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Pat Dobbs
In the colours of long-standing Hannon patron Julie Wood, GOLD AURA has a great chance to open her account in an interesting maiden. The daughter of Golden Horn was afforded an educational ride when staying on into the money on her Newbury introduction, and if making normal progression should take care of business.
Place Accumulater Perm (Races 1-7)
4, 7, 8 x 5, 3 x 1, 7 x 8 x 1 x 4, 6 x 6, 1
R48
