Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Dundalk, Chepstow, and Kempton Park, and Carlisle.
DUNDALK
Race 4: No10 – PROVOCATEUSE (Nap)
Trainer: Jessica Harrington – Jockey: Shane Foley
Coming off a short break and stepped up in trip, PROVOCATEUSE looks to hold the cards in a maiden in which the fillies have the stronger form. The daughter of Pride Of Dubai has twice grazed the crossbar, going down in a photo to Grammata at Tipperary last time. She is going to relish stepping up to six furlongs and can have the measure of Sister Rosetta.
Race 7: No1 – AIKIDO
Trainer: Ger Lyons – Jockey: Sam Ewing
Dandy Man gelding AIKIDO has the points on the board after a narrow defeat on his all-weather debut here last month. That marked progression from his earlier placed effort behind Cadillac at Leopardstown, and with Ewing taking a handy 7lb off his back the combination should know too much of interesting newcomers Stay Safe and Gaheris.
Race 8: No1 – BREAKFAST CLUB
Trainer: Denis Hogan – Jockey: J Sheridan
Dropping back to the minimum trip is probably what top weight BREAKFAST CLUB needs to get back into the winner’s circle in a race that has cut up. Since his move from England, the Cable Bay colt has done well for his new handler, winning over this distance at Cork and going down by just a neck to Arcanears here last time. He’s clearly in the zone for a match up with mainly out of form rivals.
CHEPSTOW
Race 1: No8 – SMURPHY ENKI (Nap)
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Tom Cannon
All eyes will be on Seelotmorebusiness after his impressive first foray onto the track in a Ffos Las bumper. He has bags of potential for top connections but SMURPHY ENKI has achieved more in his last two outings, taking out a Wincanton bumper before the first lockdown and then running a cracker to finish fourth to Am Maximus in what looked the strongest bumper run this season at Cheltenham. The selection has schooled well at home.
Race 5: No3 – KALAHARI QUEEN
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Page Fuller
Multiple scorer Kilconny Bridge is going to take out a big proportion of the handle on this mares’ handicap hurdle but KALAHARI QUEEN should not be underestimated. Her movements were restricted last season, but following corrective wind surgery she put in a respectable effort to chase home the fitter Oscar Rose at Hereford. That should have brought her to concert pitch.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 3: No5 – VEGAS BLUE (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
VEGAS BLUE showed total dominance to dispatch her foes when returning at Huntingdon, form given a boost when the second Panic Attack went on to go one better in equally impressive style. The Getaway mare does things very easily and should be followed until beaten.
Race 6: No2 – DAME DU SOIR
Trainer: David Bridgwater – Jockey: Brendan Powell
DAME DU SOIR took well to fences last season and makes plenty of appeal switching to handicaps off a mark of 124. She won at Hereford before giving a useful foe The King Of May plenty to think about at Sedgefield. And on her final outing at Ludlow, she appeared to be travelling well within herself when falling four out. Usually an accurate jumper, she is strongly fancied for her seasonal return.
CARLISLE
Race 1: No8 – SEVERANCE
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kieran Woods
SEVERANCE was a strong puller on the Flat who attained a rating of 91 before being sold. In spite of his exuberance, he stays well, a trait that needs to manifest itself as he switches to hurdling for new connections at one of the stiffest courses in the country. However, the vibes auger well for the Nathaniel gelding in this new sphere.
Race 5: No3 – O’HANRAHAN BRIDGE (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain – Jockey: Brian Hughes
With his trainer in fine form, O’HANRAHAN BRIDGE can end a frustrating run of seconditis under the champion jockey as he moves up to three miles. He did nothing wrong in chasing home Gaston Phoebus at this course last month and sets the standard for his three foes to aim at in this novices’ handicap hurdle.
