Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday's racing coming your way from Sandown Park, Doncaster, Haydock Park, Leicester, Ripon and Wolverhampton on 27 April 2024.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 1 No7 SECRET SQUIRREL (Each Way)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: David Bass
SECRET SQUIRREL was derailed in a race he should have won at Kempton, but after running well in a jumper-bumper at Southwell put the record straight in no uncertain fashion at Taunton. This is a wickedly competitive affair but I fancy him to take away a slice of the cake, with STEEL ALLY also carded for an earning run.
Race 2 BET 365 OAKSEY CHASE (Grade 2)
No5 HITMAN
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
HITMAN ran well for a long way in the Ryanair Chase and although out of form for most of the season can show he reserves his best until last. He’s produced some of his best form in the spring and at eight has a lot of racing ahead of him. He’s not run here for a while, but can make this a first win at the track.
Race 4 BET 365 GOLD CUP HANDICAP CHASE
No7 KITTY’S LIGHT (Nap)
Trainer: Christian Williams – Jockey: Jack Tudor
KITTY’S LIGHT devoured the fences and travelled with purpose throughout the Randox Health Grand National a fortnight ago. Although his challenge fell short, he was beaten by Graded class horses in finishing an honourable fifth. He’s at cramped odds to repeat his 2023 victory in this race but looks nailed on for another earning experience in a race where THREEUNDERTHRUFIVEFIVE, MINELLA COCOONER and SLIPWAY also promise to bring something to the party. Slipway is especially interesting granted the manner of his Kempton success last month.
Prediction: 1st KITTY’S LIGHT, 2nd Slipway, 3rd Minella Cocooner, 4th Threeunderthrufive
Race 5 BET 365 SELECT HURDLE (Grade 2)
No6 BALLYADAM
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead – Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
BALLYADAM has excelled in two races since returning to hurdling, finishing third in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas and beating all but Langer Dan n the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. His super consistency deserves reward, and with a swing in the weights he can now turn the tables on that rival to help put the icing on the cake of a Mullins trainers’ championship.
Race 7 No12 PIC ROC (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
PIC ROC found only stablemate Champagne Twist his master in the EBF Final here after notching a convincing Ascot success over Inthewaterside. He’s one of his trainer’s big hopes for the future, and having sidestepped Cheltenham and Aintree can deliver at the main expense of LOOKAWAY, who is worth saving on.
DONCASTER
Race 1 No10 CALSHOT SPIT
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
CALSHOT SPIT showed with a near miss at Bath that he’s clawing his way towards an elusive first career win. De Sousa has an eye on the prize with this well-bred individual, who can outstay his foes.
Race 5 No3 FLASH BARDOT (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
Probert has proved a vital link in the Channon operation in the early part of the campaign, and enjoyed a getting-to-know-you session with FLASH BARDOT at West Ilsley earlier in the week. The daughter of Sixties Icon is in great form for this first outing of the season, having been partnered by the same jockey to score at Newbury last autumn.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 4 No1 THE SMILING WOLF
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
The diminutive THE SMILING WOLF had Dawes in his saddle for all eight of his races as a juvenile. The combination scored at Ffos Las and ended the campaign with a narrow defeat in a warm Newmarket nursery at the Cesarewitch meeting. Although only marginally bigger, the chestnut has gained its stature by strengthening and has been in good form at home.
Race 7 No7 NORTHERN CRACKSMAN (Nap)
Trainer: Brian Ellison – Jockey: Franny Norton
NORTHERN CRACKSMAN looked a tad reluctant when worried out of it on his latest start at Newcastle. His trainer adds a first-time visor, headgear which can help bring about a first career success.
LEICESTER
Race 5 No7 TIRIAC (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
TIRIAC was left on an unchanged mark after a mid-division finish on his return to action at Windsor. He will be all the better for the run, and makes abundant appeal getting weight from his foes on ground that holds no perils for him.
RIPON
Race 3 No3 HIROMICHI
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Clifford Lee
HIROMICHI winged the bends when scoring at Lingfield and then finished in the money under a 5lb penalty at Kempton. He should enjoy a return to turf in a race that lacks depth.
Race 5 No1 CHILLINGHAM (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
CHILLINGHAM ran better than his finishing position suggests when out of the money in the Rosebery at Kempton. In a race where the leaders didn’t come back, he was given too much to do, and could only stay on past beaten horses at the finish. This good prospect will go a long way forward for his race, and will enjoy the undulating track, the trip and the easy underfoot conditions.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 3 No4 BIG BLUE BOY
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
BIG BLUE BOY went down in a blanket finish when beaten half a length into third by Southbank on his latest start at Chelmsford. The run shows the Blue Point gelding has the ability required to take out this low grade handicap.
Race 4 No2 SWEET CAROLINA (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Zoustar filly SWEET CAROLINA was an authoritative scorer on her Wolverhampton introduction, recovering from a tardy start to go clear of her foes in the final furlong. The money that sent her price plunging was well invested, and can now be profitably reinvested.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)
9, 7, 5 x 4, 1 x 4, 5 x 2 x 7, 6 x 4, 7, 3 x 7, 2
R144
