Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s international racing coming your way from Ascot, Uttoxeter, Southwell and Wolverhampton.
ASCOT
Race 1 No3 FIRST LORD DE CUET (Each Way)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Fergus Gillard
Several in-form horses clash in a competitive opener, but FIRST LIRD DE CUET is better than he showed when heavily bet last time, and can recoup the damages from that Market Rasen defeat as well as a previous outing at Sandown. He seemed to get going a tad late in first time cheek pieces at the Lincolnshire course and can show his true merits today.
Race 5 No4 FIDDLERONTHEROOF (Nap)
Trainer: Colin Tizzard – Jockey: Robbie Power
By its very high standards this stable has been quiet in the first half of the campaign, but in FIDDLERONTHEROOF it has a weapon that can stand them in good stead in the run up at Cheltenham. The six-year-old might have been beaten in two of his three outings since switching to fences, but he’s been done for toe on the two occasions he didn’t win, and may well be ridden differently today. The one to be wary of is Allart, for whom any support would make him a serious threat, and a must for the exacta.
Race 6 No5 PEKING ROSE (Each Way)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Paddy Brennan
Some high reputations go on the line in the concluding bumper, and of the unbeaten candidates I fancy PEKING ROSE to surprise the likes of Stage Star and Wonderwall. The selection landed some good bets on debut at Carlisle and hails from a famous family of hurdlers, suggesting there’s going to be a lot more to come from him, and hopefully at a working man’s price today.
UTTOXETER
Race 2 No7 DONALD DUX
Trainer: Andy Crook – Jockey: Joe Williamson
DONALD DUX bolted up at Newcastle last week and no wonder his connections want to strike while the iron’s hot. He’s looked a different horse since undergoing wind surgery and stands out as one that should, barring accidents, follow-up.
Race 4 No2 KILBREW BOY
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Mr Charlie Case
KILBREW BOY put in a dogged display to score at Wincanton when the subject of hefty market support. He has a good chance of getting his own way in front, and if doing so will be hard to beat.
Race 5 No5 SAINT DALINA (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon – Jockey: Tom Buckley
Recent course and distance winner SAINT DALINA has been a proper money spinner for her connections with three successes from her last four outings. She goes unpenalised for a demolition job earlier in the month, and even though taken on by a couple of similarly in form foes in strongly fancied to go in again.
SOUTHWELL
Race 6 No4 MISTER FREEZE
Trainer: Patrick Chamings – Jockey: Kieren O’Neill
MISTER FREEZE has a good Fibresand record and strongly signalled his winning turn was near when third to Salam Ya Faisal over course and distance earlier in the month. He usually comes good around this time of year and looks a value play in this admittedly trappy affair.
Race 8 No5 KENTUCKY KINGDOM
Trainer: H Evans – Jockey: Stevie Donoghoe
Now that he’s got his head in front, the consistent KENTUCKY KINGDOM can consolidate by taking out the nightcap. He’s progressed since returning from lockdown, and fully deserved his wide margin triumph over Lunar Deity at Chelmsford.
