Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket and Salisbury on 7 May 2023.
NEWMARKET
Race 1 bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes (Group 3)
No2 ADAYAR
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
ADAYAR faces an unknown quantity in Francesco Clemente but if the 2021 Derby winner is on his A-game he can outclass his foes in the interesting opener. The Frankel entire numbered a conditions race at Doncaster as his only success last year, and on his only other start ran Bay Bridge to half a length in the Group 1 Champion Stakes at Ascot. He’s ready for this latest entry to the stage.
Race 2 No18 SINGLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
SINGLE is carded as a big-priced roughie in this stayers’ handicap, but the Nathaniel mare will love the soft ground and is a strong traveller that will be suited by the make and shape of the contest. She can trouble the judge as a speculative bet, and make it third time lucky for Dawes who’s been placed on her twice.
Race 5 QIPCO 1000 GUINEAS STAKES (Group 1)
No20 TAHIYRA
Trainer: Dermot Weld – Jockey: Colin Hayes
The inclement weather that has preceded the second Classic will be all to the good of TAHIYRA, who made a hack out of Meditate when the pair clashed in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh in September. The daughter of Siyouni puts her unbeaten record on the line with her stable in the doldrums, but taking stock of the fact there’s no substitute for class she has to be trusted to get the job done.
Meditate is by US stallion No Nay Never. While the Dalakhani side of her pedigree lends itself to stamina and a liking for cut in the ground, she achieved her one victory over a mile on a tight track at the Keeneland Breeders’ Cup. Queen Me has been well touted as a fancy outsider and I wouldn’t rule out this Dubawi filly being involved. Mammas Girl produced a terrific turn of foot at the end of the Nell Gwyn here last month and could prove dangerous if she is allowed racing real estate to help her come through rivals on meeting the rising ground.
MAWJ is defending a two-race unbeaten record this year under Oisin Murphy, while another outsider with claims is the Jack Channon-trained CAERNARFON. She would win no beauty contests, but can outrun her price in the betting market.
Prediction: 1st TAHIYRA, 2nd Meditate, 3rd Mawj, 4th Caernarfon
Race 8 No5 RATHGAR (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Ronan Whelan
RATHGAR was an impressive scorer on his final 2022 start at Goodwood and has done particularly well through the winter. He’s capable of sustaining a strong gallop and beating off his rivals one by one without instantly quickening. Whelan is an eye-taking booking for the chestnut, who in this ground could set sail for home a long way out.
SALISBURY
Race 4 No1 JUNIPER BERRIES
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton – Jockey: Charles Bishop
Johnson Houghton is 3 from 4 with her juvenile runners and can add to those laurels with JUNIPER BERRIES who was a most impressive first time out scorer at Bath. The selection has to shoulder a 7lb penalty against a well-regarded Blue Point newcomer in Enchanting, but should be more than up to the task facing her.
Race 5 No1 TROON (Nap)
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton – Jockey: Charles Bishop
TROON was an 18-1 surprise packet when delivering on his Kempton introduction last autumn. The son of Gleneagles has done well through the winter and early spring, and if running as well as he’s been working at home should take care of business in this novice stakes.
Race 7 No4 LOVING FEELING
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Rab Havlin
LOVING FEELING found the penny dropping late in the day when third on debut at Windsor. The daughter of Sea The Stars is going to be more streetwise, and being out of a mare by Pivotal should relish the likely testing conditions and open her account.
