Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Friday’s racing at York, Thirsk, Newmarket and Ascot.
York Best Bets
Race 4: ENCAPSULATION (3)
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
With black type on her CV the consistent ENCAPSULATION has plenty going for her in another Listed race for distaffers. Everything about her recent second to Hidden Message at Sandown indicated she wants a longer trip, so this step up to an extended mile and a quarter should be rank in her favour. Furthermore, she seemed unlucky in that race, having her run blocked and having to be switched, a manoeuvre that might have cost her as much yardage as she was beaten by.
Race 5: TADAAWOL (6)
Trainer: Roger Fell
Jockey: Ben Sanderson
Ridden for luck at Pontefract last time, TADAAWOL never looked like winning after getting detached in the early stages. He improved his position in the home straight but saw little daylight, and when eventually breaking free could only stay on past beaten horses. The run is better than it looked, and the 6yo can prove it with a bold showing.
Thirsk Best Bets
Race 2: BALTIC STATE (1)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan
Jockey: Kevin Scott
BALTIC STATE knew his job first time out at Ayr and made a good fist of trying to lead throughout, eventually being beaten a length and threequarters into third by Volatile Analyst. At the furlong pole he still had the overall lead and it’s no surprise to see his trainer drop him back to the minimum trip today, a ploy that can reap dividends.
Race 6: FOX HILL (11)
Trainer: Eric Alston
Jockey: Paula Muir
From a plater’s mark FOX HILL can cash in on weight concessions made by all ten of her rivals in this fillies’ sprint handicap. Her veteran handler is a dab hand at getting the best out of lowly rated sprinters and she could prove a case in point after putting in easily her best effort of the season when failing by a length and a quarter to lead from gate to wire at Carlisle.
Newmarket Best Bets
Race 4: ARIGATO (4)
Trainer: William Jarvis
Jockey: Josephine Gordon
With rattling fast ground a distinct possibility several races on this card have cut up. This is to the favour of ARIGATO, who likes to hear his hooves rattle and is the only front runner in a field of five. He’s been getting closer to a win race by race, and if stealing an easy lead could be difficult to peg back.
Race 5: PASSION AND GLORY (4)
Trainer: Saeed Bin Suroor
Jockey: Tom Queally
PASSION AND GLORY can overturn recent Newbury placings with Away He Goes. Only half a length separated the pair in that mile and a quarter contest but Away He Goes had previous experience on the track and worried his green rival, who was making his debut, out of it. With. 6lb pull by way of his rival’s penalty, Passion And Glory can open his account.
Ascot Best Bets
Race 3: OCTOBER STORM (8)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Everything needs to drop right for hold up horse OCTOBER STORM who has been expensive to follow this year. His tendency to hit a flat spot halfway through his races compromises his chances and increases pressure on his pilot’s skill in producing him at the right time. He’s close to being in the last chance saloon but is too well handicapped to completely stop believing.
Race 6: ONLY SPOOFING (14)
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe
Jockey: Kieren O’Neill
This stable needs respecting when sending an upwardly mobile horse to one of the big southern tracks and ONLY SPOOFING has decent claims of completing a hat-trick. The selection displayed a liking for a stiff finish with a recent cosy success at Carlisle, and should find Ascot of the same ilk at the business end.
