Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Sunday’s racing from Uttoxeter, Kelso, Fontwell as well as an in-depth preview of Tattersalls Irish 1000 at Curragh.
Curragh Classic Preview
Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas (Group 1)
In her bid to complete the English/Irish Guineas double HERMOSA has the assistance of Ryan Moore whilst heading a four-pronged challenge by Aidan O’Brien.
An outsider at Newmarket, she took that Qipco-sponsored Classic by the scruff of its neck early doors and gamely made all, with stablemates FAIRYLAND and JUST WONDERFUL back in fifth and sixth.
Fairyland came away with no excuses and was beaten two and a quarter lengths and as all her winning form as a two-year-old was over six furlongs there has to be a doubt over whether she got the mile.
In contrast, Just Wonderful is proven over today’s distance and was doing all her best work at the finish to be just a quarter length adrift of Fairyland at the post. She looked as if the race would bring her on.
QABALA had to cope with being more inexperienced than any of the Coolmore fillies at Newmarket as she’d only run twice beforehand, but she responded well to pressure to finish third as the 7-2 favourite. She’s a filly with scope for further improvement.
The one that appeals from a value perspective is EAST, who was never nearer than at the finish in the French 1,000 Guineas and now faces a stiffer stamina test and strips with the benefit of that outing under her belt. The daughter of Frankel hails from a Kevin Ryan stable whose fillies are in good order, and can upset the applecart under Jamie Spencer.
Neil Morrice’s Predicted Finish
1st: EAST
2nd: Hermosa
3rd: Just Wonderful
4th: Qabala
5th: Fairyland
Uttoxeter Best Bet
Race 5: YOU SAY WHAT (1)
Trainer: David Pipe
Jockey: Tom Scudamore
When returning to winning ways at Newton Abbot, YOU SAY WHAT reveled in the easy conditions and had matters well in hand a long way out. He meets a couple of equally in form foes in the shape of Blairs Cove and Hepijeu, but can prove that these faster conditions hold no perils for him by following up for his in-form trainer.
Kelso Best Bets
Race 2: SPIN THE COIN (2)
Trainer: Donald McCain
Jockey: Brian Hughes
With few miles on the clock and a point-to-point win to his CV, SPIN THE COIN can make a successful debut over fences. When last seen over hurdles in December he was in winning form and as a 6yo he has scope for improvement in this new discipline.
Race 6: MR MERCURIAL (1)
Trainer: Will Ramsay
Jockey: Mr Will Ramsay
A wide margin success at Perth this month makes the experienced MR MERCURIAL the one to beat. His rider is good value for his claim and the veteran, who has never won over this extreme distance, can prove that he stays with a third win on the bounce.
Fontwell Best Bets
Race 2: ZAMPERINI (1)
Trainer: Gary Moore
Jockey: Josh Moore
In what looks a straight match, ZAMPERINI can overturn odds-on Tomorrow Mystery. Both horses arrive with their tails up, Zamperini having bolted up at Plumpton and Tomorrow Mystery doing likewise in a handicap at Kempton. However, at the likely odds the call is to go for the value.
Race 7: SIXTIES IDOL (10) (Each Way)
Trainer: Sheena West
Jockey: Brendan Powell
The case for SIXTIES IDOL is not obvious, but she’s a winner over course and distance and is equipped with first-time cheekpieces. She’s slipped to a tempting mark and can trouble the judge at big double figure odds.
