Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Ascot, Haydock Park, Lingfield Park, Newmarket, and Redcar.
ASCOT
Race 1 No6 ADJOURN
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
With only five races under his belt and a recent first success to his name there’s plenty to like about ADJOURN in the opener on Shergar Cup day. The Postponed gelding landed some good bets in decisive fashion at Doncaster after taking away a cheque on each of his other two outings this year. With his progressive profile and the talented McEvoy in the irons, he has to be of serious interest.
Race 2 No2 BOWMAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Laura Mongan – Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
BOWMAN made a good fist of trying to steal a march on his foes at Goodwood last week, bowling along on an easy lead before tiring inside the final furlong. He has one of the best jockeys in the business doing the steering, and represents good each way value as he should again be able to dominate.
Race 6 No6 MONTASSIB (Nap)
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
If there’s one horse that stands out on this card it has to be MONTASSIB, whose boutique profile marks him out as a horse that’s probably got more to offer. The chestnut smoothly landed his first two starts of the campaign in a Wetherby novice and a Goodwood handicap, and was breathing down the necks of the principals in both the Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot and in Newmarket’s Bunbury Cup. He looks sure to appreciate this stretch out to a mile, and can prove more than a match for northern raiders Bopedro and Isla Kai.
Race 7 No6 BERKSHIRE BREEZE
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Joanna Mason
BERKSHIRE BREEZE met a well handicapped foe when going down by just a neck to Bague D’or over this course and distance last month. He’d earlier chased the shadows of a couple of good yardsticks in Secret State and Baltic Bird, and now needs the addition of the female touch in the talented Mason to grant him a fully deserved first career success.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 3 Betfred Rose Of Lancaster Stakes (Group 3)
No3 CERTAIN LAD (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Ben Curtis
Although rain would assist his cause, CERTAIN LAD appears to have been overlooked in the betting for the day’s feature. Since a midfield finish in the Saudi Cup last November, the six-year-old has run well to a point in each of three starts on grass, chasing home Solid Stone in the Huxley Stakes at Chester, finishing in mid division in the Wolferton here and being beaten last than six lengths by ANMAAT in the John Smith’s Cup at York. The former Strensall Stakes winner looked in good order breezing on the all-weather on Tuesday, and is capable of ruffling the feathers of his York conqueror as well as ante post favourite GROCER JACK.
Race 6 No2 WHITEBEAM (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Charlton – Jockey: David Probert
Caravaggio filly WHITEBEAM makes her handicap debut on a first venture away from Newbury, where she’s won her last two. In order to complete the hat-trick she needs to halt the impressive sequence of Zero Carbon, but after delighting in her latest piece of strong work she’s in the frame of mind to do it.
NEWMARKET
Race 5 Jewson Sweet Solera Stakes (Group 3)
No9 NOVAKAI
Trainer: Karl Burke – Jockey: Clifford Lee
Lope De Vega filly NOVAKAI looked a useful prospect when dominating a Doncaster novice on her debut three weeks ago. Her trainer has a wealth of juvenile talent in his stable, and by taking out this historic Group 3 NOVAKAI can set herself up for a bountiful autumn campaign. Burke should have a good line onto LAKOTA SIOUX, who finished third to his own Holloway Boy in the Chesham Stakes, while any market support for MOTTISFONT should not go unheeded.
Race 6 No6 LOVE DE VEGA (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
As the only three-year-old in the contest and getting weight from each of his opponents, LOVE DE VEGA should prove hard to beat. He’s out to back up a clear cut course and distance win on his seasonal return, and having taken those exertions in his stride he can defy a 6lb rise in the weights.
Race 7 No6 POINT LYNAS
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Rob Hornby
While any of the six runners can win this three-year-old only handicap, POINT LYNAS may offer the best value. The Middleham journeyman was gritty in opening his account on just a third start for his trainer, and has looked an improved performer since being equipped with a hood.
REDCAR
Race 2 No7 IRISH APPROACH
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Jason Watson
IRISH APPROACH has been easy to back on both career starts but is the one that should threaten hot favourite Carlton And Co on his first start away from Nottingham. The New Approach gelding wasn’t beaten far by Willard Creek, and has plenty of scope for further progression.
Race 3 No10 GIVE IT SOME TEDDY (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Duran Fentiman
This is the time of year when GIVE IT SOME TEDDY tends to find his conditions, and after taking a few outings to come to hand on 2022 he is now ready to pop. Both his latest starts have been more encouraging, giving a strong hint at Thirsk last time that he’s in the mood to deliver.
Race 5 No3 EXCESSABLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Brandon Wilkie
Easterby can add to his laurels by bagging this sprint handicap with the veteran EXCESSABLE. The nine-year-old has put in a series of good efforts to suggest he can win if getting the rub of the green, while he gets on well with his inexperienced rider.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 5 No7 ICONIC KNIGHT
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: William Cox
Fresh from a bountiful week at the Brighton August Festival, trainer Carroll can continue his fine form with ICONIC KNIGHT, who showed the money that came his way at Chepstow to be well placed when cosily delivering in a Class6 last month. The selection has troubled the judge on all but one of his last six outings, and can serve up another earning run.
Race 6 No7 OPEN CHAMPION (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: Ray Dawson
OPEN CHAMPION looks the type to attract professional money in this long distance maiden. He upped his game to finish second to Temporize at Newmarket, a run that proves he gets every yard of the trip and marks him down as the one they all have to beat.
Place Accumulater Perm (Races 1-7)
1, 5 x 4, 8 x 1 x 5, 2, 8 x 7, 4, 10 x 7 x 3, 1
R72
