Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Monday’s racing coming your way from the CHESTER, LEICESTER & SOUTHWELL.
CHESTER
Race 1 No1 COMMONSENSICAL
Trainer: Tom Dascombe – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
This trainer/jockey combo landed this race in both 2017 and 2019 and can add to that record with COMMONSENSICAL. The Bated Breath colt should after two starts by cherry ripe to deliver, especially taking into account the way he improved last time to run Fancy Man to threequarters of a length at Haydock. He has the balance and brawn to handle these tight turns.
Race 4 No1 ZAMAANI ( Nap)
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: James Doyle
ZAMAANI is a colt on the up and up and can complete a fine hat-trick in this conditions race. His successes last month at Windsor and Goodwood followed heavy market support and were never in doubt. The son of Night Of Thunder has to concede weight courtesy of a penalty, but looks up to the task in hand and can show he’s a proper Group-class performer.
RACE 6 No2 SKY DEFENDER
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Joe Fanning
SKY DEFENDER was no match for stablemate Maydanny at Goodwood last week but showed with that creditable second that he’s poised to return to winning ways. The handicapper has generously left his mark unchanged, giving him a great chance to go one better in a race where it should be easy for him to dictate affairs.
LEICESTER
Race 1 No3 FOREVER FORWARD
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Adam Kirby
The Sandown race in which FOREVER FORWARD finished second on debut hasn’t worked out, but regardless of that he the colt appears to hold the cards in this opening novice stakes. He buckled down to the task to go down by just a neck to Knight Salute and will be both mentally and physically sharper.
Race 2 No5 CIDER APPLE
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
CIDER APPLE was easy to back and couldn’t make an impact on her Chepstow debut but when returning to that course for her second start displayed notable improvement to go down by half a length to Henrik. That qualified her to compete in nurseries (juvenile handicaps) and she should be worth following, starting today.
Race 7 No3 STUNNING BEAUTY (Nap)
Trainer: Seed Bin Suroor – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Given the fact that the form of her debut win at Newmarket has worked out exceptionally well, STUNNING BEAUTY is going to prove very hard to beat in this novice stakes. The daughter of Shamardal was easy in the market but effortlessly powered four lengths clear of Declaring Love, while the third and fourth home have both won since.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No1 CROCO BAY (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Bryan Carver
Trailblazing CROCO BAY was a stunning winner of the Grand Annual Challenge Cup at last year’s Cheltenham Festival and in spite of increasing years has maintained a good level of form in two mile handicap chases subsequently. He came back from a break to give the useful Hatcher plenty to think about over this course and distance last month and will now be fitter.
Race 4 No5 DONNIE AZOFF
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Greenness might have cost DONNIE AZOFF on his debut over this course and distance but with the benefit of that race under his belt the Dylan Thomas gelding has a fine chance to go one better. He will be more streetwise and can score at the main expense of newcomer Winton.
Race 7 No5 LIFFEYDALE DREAMER
Trainer: Sam Drake – Jockey: Jonathan England
LIFFEYDALE DREAMER has improved a lot for her move to the England yard from Ireland, finishing second here and then taking out a similar race at Cartmel by a wide margin. The Azamour mare has the wherewithal to carry on her progression, and appeals as a worthy favourite for this novices’ hurdle.
