Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Wednesday 17 August 2022

YORK EBOR FESTIVAL

Race 1 No12 BOND CHAIRMAN (Each Way)

Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: Graham Lee

Three-year-olds are vastly outnumbered by their elders in a viciously competitive opener, but my idea of one of the best bets of the day is BOND CHAIRMAN, who can prove not only the pick of the younger brigade but the outright answer to the puzzle. His three visits to Ascot this year have seen him pick up various cheques, and he was perhaps unfortunate to be pipped by Mountain Peak in a Class2 in early July. His latest effort was a tad underwhelming, but this jet black sprinter resonates the impression that he has more to give, and from his central draw his pilot has all options open of where to go.

Race 2 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (Group 3)

No8 OVIEDO (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Kevin Stott

The North makes a determined effort to keep this historic race on home soil by saddling four of the nine runners, of whom OVIEDO can prove the pick. The Lope De Vega colt scored with real authority on his Doncaster introduction, and indicated with his subsequent work in Middleham that he might be able to mix it with the big boys, as he will need to do in order to beat Godolphin’s LOCAL DYNASTY and the classy MILL STREAM.

Race 3 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2)

No6 WALK OF STARS
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: James Doyle

Godolphin should dominate this historic St Leger trial, and while the betting suggests SECRET STATE is its main arrow, my preference is for WALK OF STARS. The Dubawi gelding was always going to run in the Cazoo Derby but may have had his mind on other things when finishing last of 17 to Desert Crown in the Premier Classic. Since being gelded he went down fighting in a blanket finish to the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket, and showed with that effort that he has the stamina for today’s test.

Secret State appears to be William Buick’s pick, and if taking this out will surely head all lists for the St Leger. By Dubawi out of disqualified 1,000 Guineas winner Jacqueline Quest, he makes a jump up the class ladder after landing handicaps at Ascot and Goodwood. His upwardly mobile progression makes him a tantalising prospect, but this is the moment he needs to raise his game, and it’s a moment of truth.

Race 4 JUDDMONTE INTERNATIONAL STAKES (Group 1)

No2 BAAEED
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Jim Crowley

Brilliance is a word that must be used lightly in the assessment of any racehorse, but with an unblemished record of nine straight victories, BAAEED is being compared to some of the all time greats as he steps up to this extended mile and a quarter for the first time. Ten years have elapsed since the immortal Frankel faced that distance for the first time in this very same race, but even if Baaeed converts in the dominating manner the enthusiastic Yorkshire crowd expects, it would be premature to draw comparisons to the Sir Henry Cecil-trained great, as the other acceptors appear to be tilting at windmills. The 2021 Juddmonte winner MISHRIFF has largely underwhelmed in his four subsequent outings, being beaten a long way into third in the King George last month. It was a lack lustre run, but on his form from the Coral-Eclipse when beaten in a photo by Vadeni he has to be the main threat to Lockinge, Queen Anne Stakes and Sussex Stakes hero BAAEED. Sole three-year-old and Irish Guineas hero NATIVE TRAIL looks booked to pick up a minor cheque after proving he gets the trip with a narrow defeat just behind Mishriff in the Eclipse, while HIGH DEFINITION, DUBAI HONOUR and SIR BUSKER look outclassed.

Prediction: 1st BAAEED, 2nd Mishriff, 3rd Native Trail

Race 5 No10 ZOFFEE (Each Way)
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Ben Curtis

Though no match for MASTER MILLINER at Goodwood, ZOFFEE traded very short in running as he loomed going best of all two furlongs out. The former handicap chaser then appeared to run out of petrol very quickly and faded out of the money, but he’s taking a big cut back on the distance ladder today, and can avenge earlier season form with SOAPY STEVENS. One I’m more frightened of is ALFRED BOUCHER, who like ZOFFEE has thrived for a change of stable, and who is closely matched with the aforementioned horses on Chester running in June. Another that needs taking seriously and should go into all exotic permutations is PRAIANO, who put in his best run for a long time at Newmarket and is lightly raced this season.

Race 6 No6 SANDBECK (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Jack Mitchell

It’s been a bountiful season for SANDBECK, who apart from having an off day at Ripon, hasn’t put a foot wrong this season. The Ardad filly probably found underfoot conditions on the quick side at the garden course, but showed gritty determination to win her other three starts at Nottingham, Haydock and Doncaster. It’s a big day for her trainer, who saddles Oviedo in the Acomb Stakes, who is a man that can get the job done. This is a wide-open handicap when you look away from the selection, and EY UP IT’S MAGGIE and CUBAN BREEZE are others to include in the mix.

Race 7 No15 BRAVEHEART BOY (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan

I can pass on a strong message for unbeaten STREETS OF GOLD who is worth a market check. The Havana Gold colt hails from a stable that can do little wrong. LEGEND OF XANADU needs to shrug off a welter burden but is entitled to run well moving into handicaps after contesting Group and Listed races. He’s looked in good heart in his work over the past week, and is over-priced for what he’s achieved. MRS USA could be well in on nursery debut for the George Boughey/Will Buick combo, but one that could trump them all is BRAVEHEART BOY. The Harry Angel colt denied a well-regarded opponent when heading Washington Heights at Pontefract, and represents a stable that always needs respecting with its runners in this race.

MUSSELBURGH

Race 6 No4 CABALLERO (Nap)
Trainer: Keith Dalgleish – Jockey: Sam James

CABALLERO has gone close on many occasions since his last win four years ago. The six-year-old deserves a change of luck at a track he recorded his first success way back in August 2018.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 2 No1 PRINCEVILLE (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: Harry Davies

PRINCEVILLE has his penalty for winning at Yarmouth curtailed to a large extent by the 5lb claim of his talented apprentice pilot. The son of Exceed And Excel has been gelded subsequently, and should know too much for his foes.

Race 3 No1 EAGLE COURT (Each Way)
Trainer: Tom Ward – Jockey: Martin Harley

EAGLE COURT hasn’t cut the mustard in five outings for his trainer, but now experiences a class drop. With his stable in much better form, he can show himself to be well handicapped, as the pick of his 2021 form puts him in as a clear winner.

KEMPTON PARK

Race 3 No7 KING OF ITHACA (Each Way)
Trainer: Marco Botti – Jockey: Neil Callan

KING OF ITHACA delivered a midfield finish on his introduction here but this son of go to sire Ulysses has learned bundles from that experience and can from a good draw show it.

Race 7 No4 SHALFA (Each Way)
Trainer: Marco Botti – Jockey: Neil Callan

The same trainer/jockey combo can strike with SHALFA, who opened her account at Brighton and has to be respected off her revised mark 7lb higher.

WORCESTER

Race 1 No6 MIDNIGHT JEWEL
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon – Jockey: Lilly Pinchin

MIDNIGHT JEWEL boasts four handicap hurdle triumphs from her last six outings and has shown a liking for this track. She’s taken well to fences on the schooling ground, and can prevent Princess Midnight from completing a hat-trick.

Race 2 No6 CHESS PLAYER (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods

CHESS PLAYER made no mistake on his chase debut here which saw him go up 4lb in the ratings. He was slick and efficient at his fences, and will be hard to stop getting weight from each of his four rivals.

Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)

6, 7 x 6 x 5, 9 x 3 x 9, 1, 2 x 3, 1 x 4, 6

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