Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday's racing coming your way from York and Fontwell Park on 8 September 2024.
YORK
Race 1 No5 SPIRIT OF MURRAY (Each Way)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Tom Eaves
Ryan has a habit of unleashing his better juveniles on the Knavesmire, and I can pass on good vibes for his newcomer SPIRIT OF MURRAY, a colt by Camelot. His inexperience poses a slight worry as he takes on eight opponents that have public form, but granted his double-figure price he still represents value.
Race 2 No13 MAKE IT EASY (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Tinkler – Jockey: Alex Jary
MAKE IT EASY brings good form to the table having troubled the judge in a similar contest here earlier in the season, whilst losing out by length length of a well-smoked cigarette on her latest start at Chester. The filly will need to enjoy the rub of the green, being a hold-up performer, but if that transpires she can gain a deserved success.
Race 5 No5 TWILIGHT CALLS (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
TWILIGHT CALLS has run well in Pattern races such as the King Charles III Stakes but now embarks on a first crack at a Listed contest. Not only should the class drop assist his cause, but it’s a big field with plenty of pace which should set things up for his strong finish. Furthermore the six-year-old remains at 1200 metres, having looked at ease on his first start at that distance in Newbury’s Hackwood Stakes.
Race 7 No6 HIGHWAYGREY (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Mr Thomas Easterby
HIGHWAYGREY and Poet’s Dawn give Easterby a strong hand in this amateur jockeys’ handicap, but the former has by far the better draw. He’s also been in consistently good form, and posted figures of 122 on his last three outings. The eight-year-old needs the cards to fall in his favour, but as long as he enjoys room to manoeuvre at the finish he should be involved. Poet’s Dawn came good on his latest start but will have to cover more ground than his barnmate breaking from the outer.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 4 No5 SERGEANT
Trainer: Anthony Charlton – Jockey: Sean Bowen
SERGEANT steps up in trip after his cosy success over two miles and a furlong at Newton Abbot from an 8lb higher mark. Nevertheless, he receives weight from his four opponents, and has the profile of a horse that can continue to go forward.
Race 6 No2 BORNA GEM (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
BORNA GEM created a good impression on her first start in the UK when showing up well for a long way at Hexham, and she’s greatly benefited from that experience. The Mount Nelson mare finds herself in a weak distaffers’ bumper and should take care of business.
