Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Saturday 29 June 2024

NEWCASTLE

Race 3 No2 SINGLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert

SINGLE was unsuited by a stop-start gallop at Newmarket after a snug comeback success at Nottingham. She’s carrying a 5lb penalty in this consolation race for the Northumberland Plate, but looks likely to enjoy a truly run contest that can enable her to make her stamina count at the business end.

Race 4 JenningsBet Northumberland Plate Handicap

No19 RATHGAR (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Cam Hardie

The super consistent RATHGAR has a good slot in the gate from which to obtain a handy early position in the so-called Pitmans’ Derby. Importantly the chestnut has had he run on the all-weather and appeared happy on it when third at Chelmsford. All his other form is on turf, including a Goodwood success in early May and most recently a good run in defeat behind Letsbefrank at Thirsk.

This will however be a fiercely contested affair in which TROOPER BISDEE needs respecting under a 5lb penalty for his recent Pontefract triumph. Sir Mark Prescott wishes the race was still run on grass, as his hat-trick-seeking contender is proficient on such a surface, and it’s 18 months since he last ran on the all-weather.

ZOFFEE rates a huge danger to all in the 20-runner contest on the back of his Chester Cup triumph on a first run of the season.

ONESMOOTHOPERATOR is another that comes firmly into the equation for a trainer, Brian Ellison, who knows what it takes to win this race.

Prediction: 1st RATHGAR, 2nd Trooper Bisdee, 3rd Zoffee, 4th Onesmoothoperator

Race 5 No12 LOCAL HERO (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Hollie Doyle

In receipt of weight from everything in the race, there much to like about the claims of LOCAL HERO in this Class2 over 1400 metres. The son of Phoenix Of Spain makes just a fifth visit to the racecourse making him very unexposed, while he was a clear-cut winner of his latest start at Kempton.

Race 8 No11 SHIFTER
Trainer: Wilf Storey – Jockey: Paula Muir

SHIFTER would be a very popular local winner of a very well-contested nightcap. The Muhaarar mare posted back-to-back successes at Ayr and Redcar before finishing third in a better race at York. His overall profile is one of a much-improved performer from whom there should be more to come.

CHESTER

Race 4 No6 JUNGLE MAC
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Franny Norton

JUNGLE MAC came clear with the winner at Newmarket last week when equipped with a prominent shadow roll. The gelding has a high head carriage which certainly did him no favours in that tight finish, but in Norton, he has one of the best operators on the historic Roodee track. If getting a lead the combination can go one better, with Blue Prince looming as a big danger and definitely one to save on.

Race 7 No1 ESMERAY (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rob Hornby

ESMERAY is going from strength to strength and is strongly fancied to comp, eye a hat-trick in this very competitive nightcap. Although bred to prefer some give in the ground the selection delivered on good going at Lingfield and Pontefract. She’s climbed another 6lb in the ratings, but can show she’s a class apart from her rivals on the way to better things.

WINDSOR

Race 2 No3 BERKSHIRE KAMEO
Trainer: Andrew a balding – Jockey: Joshua Bryan

BERKSHIRE KAMEO put in an eye-taking first effort at Goodwood but might have done too much too soon next time at Newbury. He represents a rookie sire that is doing well with his initial batch of runners, and can provide another boost to that horse, 2,000 Guineas hero Kameko.

Race 3 No2 NEW CHELSEA (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Edward Greatrex

NEW CHELSEA engages in a tight-knit affair but needs to be given the chance to put a first success on the board. His CV is littered with near misses but his latest second to Dashing Darcey at Haydock represents strong form. The New Bay gelding just needs to show he can handle ground that’s drying up and quicker than anything he’s raced on before.

Race 4 No2 BELIEVE ON STARS
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Saffie Osborne

Returning from a long absence did not inhibit BELIEVE IN STARS on his first run back last year and the same can ring true in 2024. Runner-up on his only other start last season in this grade over a shorter trip, he’s been doing everything right in his preparation and remains a horse to follow whatever happens this afternoon.

NEWMARKET

Race 3 No2 KING OF CONQUEST
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick

Godolphin could do with a prestigious winner to boost its current lull in overall form and it can arrive in this Listed feature through KING OF CONQUEST. The selection gave Appleby his third success in as many years in Goodwood’s Tapster Stakes and should have too many guns for stablemate Kemari, who is returning from a lengthy absence and may be a tad rusty.

Race 4 PLANTATION STUD CRITERION STAKES (Group 3)

No4 NOSTRUM
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote

NOSTRUM has for a while been regarded as the big hope to emerge as a proper Group 1 horse out of Freemason Lodge but he’s shown on his last two outings that he has his kinks and is a risky proposition. He ended the 2023 campaign finishing last in a Group 3 at York and occupied the same position behind Charyn when returning to action in the bet365 Mile at Sandown. This is a tough ask against the likes of NOBLE DYNASTY and TIBER FLOW, but if he’s on song Stoute’s charge is capable of seeing off those older horses.

Race 7 No3 MAJESTIC (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Richard Kingscote

It’s rare that this trainer and jockey team up but it could be worth following them to land a competitive finale. The Nap put in a very solid effort when third at the same level at Sandown, and after going well in his winding-up gallop at West Ilsley can make this a first success for his trainer, and first since his Cambridgeshire triumph of 2022.

DONCASTER

Race 1 No4 BE FRANK
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Trevor Whelan

After a promising first run back BE FRANK got worked up and has to be dismounted before the starts at Newbury. He was never going but is a lot better than he showed, urging me to give him another chance over a shorter trip that should benefit him.

Race 4 No13 TIMEFALL (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez

TIMEFALL made a bold attempt at going gate-to-wire on her Leicester introduction and was only reeled in late. The daughter of Time Test is easily the best equipped of those that have already run to take out this fillies’ maiden in the colours of owner-breeders Jeff Smith.

Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)

4, 2 x 11 x 2, 6, 7 x 13 x 10, 1, 5, 9 x 3, 4 x 3, 8, 1

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