Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Thursday’s racing taking place at Sandown Park, Hamilton Park, Uttoxeter & Leopardstown.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 3: No2 – EYE OF HEAVEN (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Frankie Dettori
The featured National Stakes has cut up to provide EYE OF HEAVEN with a great chance of regaining the winning thread following an underwhelming run in the Norfolk Stakes at Ascot. The Exceed And Excel colt had previously impressed when taking out a very good race at Newmarket but appeared unhappy on the rain-softened ground at the Royal fixture. Dettori will know more about him this time, and the combination can bounce back.
Race 5: No5 – NASTASE
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Rob Hornby
Coventry Stakes third Saeiqa sets the standard in this novice stakes as the juveniles stretch out to a seventh furlong. The colt knows his job after two earning outings, but for value, NASTASE is worth a look to spring a surprise. The son of Sixties Icon has pleased in his work ahead of this first career start and can give the favourite plenty to think about if not running green.
Race 6: No9 – RAINS OF CASTERMERE (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Dual all-weather scorer RAINS OF CASTERMERE has a chance to gain a first success on turf in this after a pleasing second run back at Haydock. The Harbour Watch gelding troubled the judge on that occasion and has the advantage of the champion jockey in the irons. From a very good draw, he should make some sort of impact.
Race 7: No11 – DECORA ( Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: George Bass
DECORA has inched closer to a first career win with each run and has arguably produced her best form on turf, going down by just threequarters of a length to Sweet Charity at Windsor last week. The daughter of Conduit Could find the small amount of improvement required to get her head in front, with Bass taking a valuable 7lb off her back.
Race 8: No4 – MR CHUA
Trainer: Michael Scudamore – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Flat winners are rare from this stable but MR CHUA has definite claims after his narrow defeat on grass at Lingfield. That step up in form may well have been down to the positive effects of a wind operation and the booking of Murphy increases confidence of a big run from the Cape Cross gelding.
HAMILTON PARK
Race 6: No4 – TRITONIC
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Any cut in the ground will increase the claims of TRITONIC, who deserves a crack at a Listed prize after his bold attempt to win the Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot. He failed by just half a length to resist the late surge of Highland Chief on that occasion and should take this on the way to better things.
UTTOXETER
Race 6: No1 – KINGS TEMPTATION
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Bryan Carver
KINGS TEMPTATION jumped with an economy of effort when scoring on his comeback over a slightly longer distance here last week, coming home with a bit in hand. There’s no surprise his connections are seeking to strike again while the iron’s hot and his 7lb penalty is partly negated by the 5lb claim of his conditional pilot. He still has a hefty burden to carry, but with fitness assured he can put paid to four opponents that are each returning from a break.
Race 9: No7 – BUTTSBURY LADY
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Those in this bumper with previous form don’t amount to much against which anything from the powerful Henderson yard in such races needs close inspection. BUTTSBURY LADY has shown promise in her work and can strike at the first time of asking, at the main expense of fellow newcomer Dansant Express.
LEOPARDSTOWN
Race 3: No6 – SILK CRAVAT
Trainer: J Geoghegan – Jockey: G P Halpin
With solid recent form to his name, SILK CRAVAT can give us a good run for our money in an admittedly competitive handicap. The three times all-weather scorer at Dundalk has also won on the beach at Laytown and seeks a first success on grass. He’s proved a captain of industry since moving to this stable well over two years ago, but showed with an improved run in first-time cheekpieces when second to Rain Or Shine on Polytrack that he’s ready to deliver.
Race 4: No3 – GALILEO CHROME (Nap)
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien – Jockey: D P McDonagh
Joseph O’Brien has solid claims to lift the featured Nijinsky Stakes (Listed) by saddling both Group 3 winner Degraves and the fast-improving maiden winner GALILEO CHROME. There will be many that back Degraves to complete a hat-trick on this seasonal comeback, but Galileo Chrome had subsequent Investec Derby hero Serpentine in his wake when edging home on his own reappearance at the Curragh. The Australia colt should have learned plenty from that and can also react positively to this step up to a mile and a half.
Race 6: No9 – SOINEANTA
Trainer: Jim Bolger – Jockey: Kevin Manning
There’s little to separate Gin Blossom and Koola Buala on their reappearance in a Tipperary maiden but both could be trumped by SOINEANTA, who since acquiring cheek pieces has performed like a filly getting ready to open her account. Her recent placed efforts at Naas and Gowran Park indicate she has similar credentials to her main rivals, yet she could offer up the best value.
