Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Sunday 21 August 2022

DEAUVILLE

Race 2 DARLEY PRIX MORNY (Group 1)

No1 PERSIAN FORCE
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Frankie Dettori

PERSIAN FORCE brings top-class form to the table of this valuable Group 1 which climaxes the penultimate week of the Deauville Festival. The Mehmas colt looked special when romping away with the Brocklesby Stakes on the first day of the UK season and hasn’t looked back. He can give a boost to Little Big Bear, who he followed home at a respectful margin in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. With Dettori on his back in a rare link up with the Hannon stable, he can lay down the law to Prix Robert Papin winner BLACKBEARD and Norfolk Stakes hero THE RIDLER.

Prediction: 1st PERSIAN FORCE, 2nd Blackbeard, 3rd The Ridler

Race 3 No6 OMMEEL (Each Way)
Trainer: Anastasia Wattel – Jockey: Gregory Benoist

The form of OMMEEL’s race at Clairefontaine at the beginning of July has worked out, giving this most consistent of performers a fine earning chance in this fiercely competitive handicap, for which he carries high hopes from his stable.

Race 4 DARLEY PRIX JEAN ROMANET (Group 1)

No3 VILLE DE GRACE (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore

All eyes will be on Australian champion VERRY ELLEEGANT on her debut for Francis-Henry Graffard. An eleven times Group 1 scorer Down Under, she is giving away two years and upwards in age to her opponents following a near 300-day break since her last outing. A winner of the 2021 Melbourne Cup when it was run behind closed doors, she is a fascinating addition to the stable of her upwardly mobile handler.

I could envisage an earning run from the seven-year-old, though will take a chance that VILLE DE GRACE is on her best behaviour. She refused to go into the stalls for the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood but has plenty of talent and can mix it with the best of them when on her A-game. The French stalls handlers adopt a more ‘no-nonsense’ approach when loading, and this daughter of locally-based stallion Le Havre is in very good order. The consistent BURGARITA can claim another minor cheque.

Prediction: 1st VILLE DE GRACE, 2nd Verry Elleegant, 3rd Burgarita

Race 5 Darley Prix Kergorlay (Group 2)

No5 THE GOOD MAN
Trainer: Stephane Wattel – Jockey: Morgan Delalande

Manduro colt THE GOOD MAN handles most types of ground, and though beaten by Quickthorn in the Prix Maurice de Nieul has seen that form boosted by the winner who came home unchallenged in the Lonsdale Cup at York on Friday. The selection is closely matched with SKAZINO and JOIE DE SOIR from his previous outing in the Vtrsse Vigier Stakes at Longchamp, and I fancy his chances of turning the tables on the winner under a jockey that has only ridden him on the all-weather (in 2020).

Prediction: 1st THE GOOD MAN, 2nd JOIE De Soir, 3rd Skazino

Race 6 Darley Prix De Pomona (Group 2)

No2 JANNAH FLOWER
Trainer: Pascal Bary – Jockey: Stephane Pasquier

JANNAH FLOWER might just have the edge on SEA LA ROSA in this fillies’ Group 2. The daughter of Olympic Glory made a good fist of it chasing down all the way scorer Quickthorn in the Prix Maurice de Nieul and should be all the better for that run. Her chances will soar if The Good Man, who finished behind her that day, steps up to the plate in the Kergorlay. Sea La Rosa gave out a good impression in her Lillie Langtry Stakes win at Goodwood and this pair can dominate affairs.

SANDOWN PARK

Race 1 No4 MISS ATTITUDE (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop

Few juveniles have shown the speed to match MISS ATTITUDE who now back at the scene of her first career triumph can complete a hat-trick. The Cityscape filly found extra from the front to grittily hang on that day, and under a 6lb penalty was even more impressive on handicap bow at Newbury. Although taking a combined 10lb hike in the weights she can make short work of her foes in this nursery.

Race 6 No15 ISLAND BANDIT
Trainer: Heather Main – Jockey: Gina Mangan

ISLAND BANDIT is unbeaten in two since blinkers were added to the Zara’s gelding. He’s taken out handicaps at Grade 1 tracks and looks one that could find more progression off bottom weight. He should not be underestimated and has a capable apprentice doing the steering for the first time.

Race 7 No9 SINGLE
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: George Bass

SINGLE did us a favour when given a peach of a ride at Newmarket last weekend. The mare enjoyed a perfect tow into the race and had too much for her exhausted foes at the business end. There’s even more chance of getting a decent pace to aim at in this bigger field, and she can put in another big earning run.

BRIGHTON

Race 4 No4 BAZALGETTE
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Rossa Ryan

BAZALGETTE hasn’t always looked the most straightforward in a finish and in the light of that it’s not a surprise to see the grey fitted with cheek pieces. He has more ability than he’s shown, and at the foot of this compressed handicap has a good chance of overturning perennial bridesmaid At Liberty.

Race 5 No1 SLY MADAM (Nap)
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: Georgia Dobie

SLY MADAM should be going for a quick fire hat-trick, as after romping home at Salisbury she was unlucky not to beat Luna Magic under a 5lb penalty at the same track. She is a dual winner at Brighton this year, and has a great chance to show with another success that she’s appreciative of a return to this switchback course.

YARMOUTH

Race 5 No2 GODDESS OF FIRE (Nap)
Trainer: John Ryan – Jockey: Darragh Keenan

GODDESS OF FIRE could be the one to take advantage in a race that’s cut up. She hasn’t been seen since winning and placing on her two outings here in the spring, but is in good heart for her bid to make it a fourth career win at the seaside venue.

Race 6 No1 HI HO SILVER
Trainer: Chris Wall – Jockey: Kaiya Fraser

Veteran HI HO SILVER has improved from race to race this year, and showed by troubling the judge over course and distance earlier in the month that he’s ready to step back up to the plate.

Place Accumulater Perm (Races 1-7)

1 x 1 x 1, 3 x 4, 2 x 2 x 1, 5, 4 x 4, 5

R24