Neil Morrice Best Bets And Tips – Monday 29 May 2023

WINDSOR

Race 2 No8 ETHANDUN (Nap)
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton – Jockey: Charles Bishop

ETHANDUN was all the rage before his Goodwood introduction only to run in the smart Beenham. The Saxon Warrior colt will be more streetwise and can post a winning performance that could book him a ticket to he Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Race 3 No3 NINE TENTHS
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand

Kodiac filly NINE TENTHS got the job done smoothly enough when last seen at Newcastle and looks the type to flourish on her return from a 200-day break. She’s worked well on grass in Newmarket, and will be hard to beat.

REDCAR

Race 1 No6 DANZART (Each Way)
Trainer: Stella Barclay – Jockey: Sam James

DANZART came out of the wilderness to post a convincing success at Thirsk which has afforded him a 9lb hike in the weights. The Dandy Man gelding does not have consistency as one of his attributes, but if turning up in the same form has a good opportunity to follow-up.

Race 2 No7 HAPPIER (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan

Profitable filly HAPPIER stepped up on her first run to finish second to William Dewhurst as a 33-1 roughie at Thirsk. She’s learned more from that good effort, and can prove more than a match for male rival Dalton Lane.

Race 5 No8 PILLAR OF HOPE (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Joe Fanning

The historic Zetland Gold Cup is an integral part of the Redcar calendar. This year’s small but select field can be led home by PILLAR OF HOPE, who hails from a stable whose handicappers are rapidly getting into gear as the proper summer season approaches. The selection had to dig deep into his reserves to prevail at Beverley, but importantly knows that he won, and his battling qualities can again assist in him taking the spoils at the main expense of Chester scorer City Streak.

LEICESTER

Race 2 No8 EXPERT WITNESS (Each Way)
Trainer: Sir Mark Todd – Jockey: George Rooke

If there’s a plot in this interesting fillies’ handicap it might involve EXPERT WITNESS. The Expert Eye filly started 200-1 for her latest of three starts at Lingfield but wasn’t beaten far and is a horse that might have gone under the radar. Her stable is doing well with its boutique string, and I shall certainly pay to find out.

Race 3 No2 DOUBLE OBAN
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Ross Coakley

DOUBLE OBAN is a somewhat ungainly individual but is the highest rated in this field, and one that will welcome a return to novice company. He underwhelmed when tried in a handicap at Chester but didn’t look happy on the track, and is better than the bare result indicates.

Race 4 No2 SLY MADAM (Each Way)
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: William Carver

In a race where trainer Tim Easterby appears hell-bent on success it could pay to ignore his double entry of Mahanakhon and Roach Power and back SLY MADAM. The latter brings solid form from an Ascot Class 2 to the table which suggests she’s progressing, and with her trainer on the ball with another mare last week the five-year-old is poised for a big earning run.

Race 5 No1 STRIKING STAR (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick

This interesting three-year-old-only sprint is best left to the Godolphin-owned top-weight STRIKING STAR. The Dubawi gelding needs to buck a trend that’s seen him well-backed but turned over in each of his three starts this year. However, he’s run into the likes of Yacowlef and Havana Blue and will be unfortunate to meet another of their ilk, though one word respecting in all exotics is hat-trick seeker Grenham Bay.

Race 7 No7 ANGEL OF PEACE (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Ross Coakley

As one of the least exposed in the nightcap, ANGEL OF PEACE could prove a bet worth waiting for. The beautifully-bred filly carded a career best when third on her handicap bow at Redcar, and even though not certain to stay on breeding alone, he manner of racing strongly suggests she will.

CARTMEL

Race 4 No4 AND THE NEW (Nap)
Trainer: Laura Morgan – Jockey: Adam Wedge

I’m confident a 7lb penalty will not prevent AND THE NEW following-up a commanding success over a slightly longer trip at Market Rasen last week. The veteran fits the mould of a host of horses that have suddenly improved for trainer Morgan. In first-time cheekpieces, he ran his rivals ragged and has surely turned a corner.

Race 7 No9 COUP DE GOLD (Each Way)
Trainer: David Thompson – Jockey: Joshua Thompson

There’s not much of COUP DE GOLD, but what there is has plenty of determination, and the seven-year-old looks sure to go well in the finale. He’s been plying his trade under both racing codes, and though disappointing at Catterick last time is capable of bouncing back from what was a race dip in his consistency.