Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Windsor, Redcar, Kelso and Kempton Park on 17 April 2023.
WINDSOR
Race 4 No1 CRIMSON SAND (Each Way)
Trainer: Simon Earle – Jockey: Darragh Keenan
CRIMSON SAND is a consistent earner who doesn’t win as many races as he should, but following a very good effort when second at Chelmsford he’s in a good spot to score his his new trainer. Since his last success in the summer of 2021 the gelding has earned in 11 of his twelve starts, making him a must for all exotics.
Race 6 No3 FOREST DEMON (Nap)
Trainer: Daniel Kubler – Jockey: Luke Morris
FOREST DEMON ended his juvenile season with a battling success switched to the Polytrack. Having started 12-1, 150-1 and 66-1 for the three races that earned him a handicap mark, he was sent off just 15-8 for that Chelmsford triumph. This looks a weak heat for his seasonal return, and he can keep up the good work by going back-to-back.
Race 7 No5 GEELONG
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Luke Morris
Australia gelding GEELONG didn’t manage to add to his debut success in five outings mixed between the all-weather and turf last season, though he picked up a minor cheque on three occasions. His effort against Haarar when last seen at Chelmsford in the summer reads well, and he’s ready for this first outing in eight months.
REDCAR
Race 3 No4 CONCORDE
Trainer: George Boughey – Jockey: Ben Curtis
CONCORDE is a beautifully bred individual by Leger winner Sixties Icon out of the top class Silca Chiave. He has a lot to live up to, but having been trained with a kid glove to attain a mark, he needs to be taken very seriously now going down the handicap route, and stepping up from seven furlongs to a more suitable mile.
Race 4 No8 GIVE IT SOME TEDDY (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Duran Fentiman
It took GIVE IT SOME TEDDY eleven attempts before finally opening his 2022 account at Redcar and he is traditionally a horse that doesn’t come to hand quickly after his winter break. However, this is very much his favourite track, and with the jockey that gets on best with him in the plate I’m tempted to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Race 5 No1 ROYAL SYMBOL
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: James Doyle
Godolphin have persevered with the well related ROYAL SYMBOL whose training issues have kept him off the track for 17 months. He was a cosy scorer on that Kempton debut, and if anything like as good as he promised to be should remain unbeaten by taking out this mile and a quarter novice.
Race 6 No3 GLORIOUS LION (Nap)
Trainer: James Ferguson – Jockey: James Doyle
GLORIOUS LION is equipped with first time cheek pieces for this first run in a handicap. The Roaring Lion gelding has shown promise in each of his three starts on sand and turf, and looks the one that can cause impressive Newcastle scorer and probably favourite Wadacre Gomez problems.
Race 7 No6 MORNING SUN (Each Way)
Trainer: Keith Dalgleish – Jockey: Milly Garritty
MORNING SUN takes my eye on a first outing for his trainer, having been with Sir Michael Stoute last season. He was one that always looked as if he had more to offer, and this change of scenery might prove beneficial to him, even though his trainer has given notice that he will shortly hand in his licence.
KELSO
Race 1 No4 JIMMY CHOU OECOS AA (Nap)
Trainer: John McConnell – Jockey: Ben Harvey
The McConnell/Harvey combo are here to play up their Cheltenham and Aintree winnings by the look of things. Their representative JIMMY CHOU OECOSS AA has gone close in two hurdle outings in Ireland, and should have too many guns for recent scorer Ballyporeen, who carries a 7lb penalty.
Race 7 No7 SPEED DAVIS
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Unbeaten Irish point winner SPEED DAVIS is the subject of positive vibes ahead of this debut under Rules and can take out the nightcap for a trainer/jockey combo that looked unfortunate to to pick up a race at Aintree last week.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 1 No1 CLOUD CUCKOO (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Dane O’Neill
It’s good to see this trainer and jockey teaming up on a more regular basis, and CLOUD CUCKOO is one to take seriously as the oldest member of the field that can break from a favourable draw close to the rail. He showed a modicum of ability in two starts last back end, and might reward win and place backing at a decent price.
Race 6 No3 ASSESSMENT (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
ASSESSMENT has good form to bring to the table on this handicap debut and can give his trainer a first win of the campaign. The son of Kingman should improve for a gelding operation, and in spite of having to overcome a lengthy absence is ready for this return to the fray.
