Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday's racing coming your way from Haydock Park, Beverley, Catterick Bridge, Bangor-on-Dee, Chepstow and Lingfield Park on 8 June 2024.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 3 BETFRED NIFTY 50 LESTER PIGGOTT FILLIES’ STAKES (Group 3)
No1 CAERNARFON (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
CAERNARFON is the only one in this Group 3 with placed form in a Classic on her CV, and was involved in the finish of both the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks last season. After a very promising comeback run in the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket, she underwhelmed in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes at York where after appearing to be travelling well she stopped as if shot. Nothing was subsequently found to provide a reason for that flop, but she’s far better than the run indicates, and today’s mile-and-a-half trip shouldn’t be a problem for her.
Several in the race are making a step up the class ladder but SAPPHIRE SEAS has to be feared, especially as she has troubled the judge in two Group races making her a similar entity to my selection.
Race 4 BETFRED JOHN OF GAUNT STAKES (Group 3)
No2 BLESS HIM (Each Way)
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Veteran BLESS HIM is carded to go off the rank outsider in this feature but should not be underestimated. Proof that there’s life in the old warrior came with his narrow defeat in a Class2 at Ascot, and with the strong pace he requires likely to materialise he can trouble the judge at rewarding odds. It’s interesting that the latest form of one of the market principals, Noble Dynasty, also happened in a Class2, making him one to take seriously.
Race 7 No6 GRESSINGTON (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
GRESSINGTON was edged out of a place by Dashing Darcey at Newmarket three weeks ago but I fancy those placings will be reversed as Bethell’s grey was only having a fourth outing and can progress. That said, there shouldn’t be much between them, while another lightly-raced candidate Secret World can also get into the shake-up.
BEVERLEY
Race 3 No1 MOVING FORCE (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Fahey – Jockey: Oisin Orr
MOVING FORCE has to carry a penalty for his course and distance triumph of last month but there’s much to recommend the Mehmas colt who in staving off the attentions of much-vaunted newcomer Shareholder can remain unbeaten.
Race 6 No2 MISS GITANA
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Jason Hart
MISS GITANA failed by the narrowest of margins to hang on here last month, having shaped well on handicap debut at Yarmouth. In the colours of the late John Pearce the Nathaniel filly should open her account, in spite of a 2lb rise in the weights.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 8 No7 LANGHOLM (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Rhys Elliott
In carbon copy fashion, LANGHOLM has been denied in successive visits to this course after trying to make all. Although his successes are infrequent he needs respecting, as the 7lb claim of his capable apprentice negates the 3lb he went up for getting beaten.
BANGOR-ON-DEE
Race 2 No2 ALAMAZHAR GARDE
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
ALMAZHAR GARDE has tantalisingly been beaten into second on his last three appearances. The former confirmed front-runner is showing that he doesn’t have to lead, and if given a chance and settled in can make it another earning experience.
Race 7 No5 GWENNIE MAY STAR (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
GWENNIE MAY STAR posted a mid-division finish on debut in a well contested Newbury bumper. He should be more streetwise for this summer bumper and can outpoint the more experienced Bold Recruit.
CHEPSTOW
Race 7 No8 KALAMA SUNRISE (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
KALAMA SUNRISE made a very promising return from a long absence when bagging a minor cheque at Brighton, but was unable to build on that effort at Leicester where she was never travelling. It’s worth giving her the chance to bounce back in this weakly contested bottom-grade handicap.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 5 No2 HARVARD SOUND (Nap)
Trainer: Tom Clover – Jockey: Neil Callan
HARVARD SOUND gave the unbeaten Bengurion something to think about on his Kempton introduction, and if making normal progression from that very good effort should open his account. He should find Ureshi his main stumbling block to success.
Race 7 No9 MAPLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Cieren Fallon
The dark horse in this low-grade handicap is Camelot filly MAPLE. She’s shown little in her three outings to secure a mark but remains unexposed and could easily raise her game in this new division of the racing spectrum.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)
3, 2 x 2 x 1, 7, 2 x 4, 7 x 2 x 6, 2, 12, 8 x 9, 6, 3
R144
