Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday's racing coming your way from York, Haydock Park, Chester, Salisbury and Windsor on 25 May 2024.
YORK
Race 1 No8 TIRIAC (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
This is a far more competitive heat than the one TIRIAC took out at Windsor three weeks ago, but that success appears to have invigorated the four-year-old, who with his liking for soft ground can play a big part in the outcome.
Race 4 WILLIAM HILL BRONTË CUP FILLIES’ STAKES (Group 3)
No2 GATHER YE ROSEBUDS (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Connor Beasley
GATHER YE ROSEBUDS benefitted from a peach of a ride when taking out a Listed race at Goodwood where she travelled and quickened on a testing surface. As long as she gets a strong pace to aim at the Zoffany filly should follow up, as this course with its long home straight will play to her strengths.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 1 No4 VOLTERRA (Nap)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Tom Eaves
VOLTERRA landed some good bets with a stylish delivery on his first run of the season at Newmarket. The Farhh colt has gone the right way and by taking out a race that has featured future Group horses in the past he can demonstrate he has a big future in front of him.
Race 2 BETFRED TEMPLE STAKES (Group 2)
No7 VADREAM
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
Fellowes has snapped-up top northern Jockey Tudhope for the mare VADREAM, who after troubling the judge on both 2024 starts can now her a big pot. All her best form has happened in the soft, and if the ground has been softer she may well have won the Palace House at Newmarket. She ticks all the boxes for one of the highlights of the Haydock Flat calendar.
CHESTER
Race 2 No4 KING OF ANGELS (Nap)
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Jason Watson
Palmer likes to run his better juveniles at his local track, and in KING OF ANGELS he may have the answer to this six furlongs novice. The Dark Angel colt wasn’t beaten far when fourth tom Teej A on his introduction over course and distance and is going to be a lot more streetwise.
Race 6 No2 ALL AGLEAM
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jason Watson
Oasis Dream filly ALL AGLEAM can add to her trainer’s very good record with his runners on the Roodee. It was encouraging to see her shake off the bridesmaid tag she adopted with figures of 833233 last season by scoring decisively on her return to action at Lingfield. With Watson n her saddle for the first time, she needs to show that she can be as effective on rain-softened turf.
SALISBURY
Race 3 No8 NOEL FOX (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rhys Clutterbuck
NOEL FOX attracted support, but was caught out by her lack of experience on debut at Newbury. She has learned plenty from that strictly educational outing, and pulled back to six furlongs can open her account.
Race 8 No5 WARRANTY
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
WARRANTY was made fitter by two underwhelming outings over hurdles, and made no mistake when returning to the Flat to score in heavy ground at this course earlier in the month. On this fourth start for his new trainer, the seven-year-old can demonstrate that he’s still ahead of the handicapper.
WINDSOR
Race 3 No4 ARKHALIA FLYNN
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
ARKHALIA FLYNN showed promise on his only 2023 start only to experience some training issues. He had to be withdrawn from his intended comeback race at Kempton after unshipping his jockey at the start, but has pleased his trainer in his build-up to this.
Race 4 No4 DESPERATE HERO (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
Soft ground brings out the best in DESPERATE HERO who gamely delivered on his latest start at Goodwood. The grey posted the first of three 2023 successes at this course a year ago and has solid claims to win again as long as the going doesn’t dry up.
Race 5 No5 AL ANOUD
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
AL ANOUD looks another peach in a strong book of rides for Greatrex in this Class3 handicap. The Kingman filly defends a two-race unbeaten record, with good vibes accompanying her in this bid to remain unbeaten for a trainer who has an embarrassment of riches in the distaffer division.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)
5, 4, 2 x 1 x 4, 6 x 4, 2 x 5, 6, 4 x 3, 5, 8 x 3, 11
R216
