Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Ascot and Doncaster on 2 April 2023.
ASCOT
Race 2 No4 EATON COLLINA (Nap)
Trainer: Kerry Lee – Jockey: Richard Patrick
EATON COLLINA won in the soft over hurdles, and while his record since being switched to fences is patchy, he converted with plenty up his sleeve at Chepstow and has a good opportunity to build on that, with Allo Allo the one most likely to cause him problems.
Race 3 No7 MR FREEDOM (Each Way)
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: Robbie Dunne
MR FREEDOM suffered from a slipping saddle yet still managed to lead home the British contingent (in fifth) in the Boodles at Cheltenham. There was no fluke about the performance and without that mishap he would have finished a lot closer. He will handle today’s conditions and should take home a cheque.
Race 7 No14 IVALDI (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
IVALDI has been ridden with exaggerated patience on each of his last two starts, finding himself with too much to do. Granted the gigantic gelding can take a grip, those efforts here and at Kempton might have served to take the fizz out of his bottle. If so he can claim a decent cheque, as he’s undoubtedly well handicapped, but he comes with risks attached.
DONCASTER
Race 2 No4 CLOUDBREAKER (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
CLOUDBREAKER troubled the judge when qualifying for a mark at Wolverhampton last month and now moves into the handicap arena. The Sea The Stars filly had good form on turf, opening her account at Newmarket in the summer, and should have been sharpened up by that recent run. She will almost certainly benefit by going back onto the grass and has a better chance than her price indicates.
Race 4 No10 CHAIRMANOFTHEBOARD (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: William Buick
CHAIRMANOFTHEBOARD had champion jockey Buick in his saddle when recording his last win at Haydock and has been unlucky not to add to the success since that autumn 2021 triumph. Closely matched with Aleezdancer on Ripon form from last summer, he loves to get his toe into the ground, has a handy mid-pack draw and should summon up a late surge to get him right into the shake-up.
Race 8 No1 EY UP IT’S MAGGIE (Each Way)
Trainer: Tony Coyle – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
EY UP IT’S MAGGIE placed in a handful of valuable sprint handicaps after her success at Leicester at the end of the 2021 campaign. She was most effective in picking up minor cheques in the early part of last season at this course, Pontefract, Ripon and York. Taking stock of her habit of coming to hand early, she can see off her foes and make light of her place at the head of the weights.
