Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Monday’s racing at Windsor, Carlisle, Nottingham as well as Royal Ascot on 18 June.
Windsor Best Bet
Race: 5 DIAMOND DOUGAL (4)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: David Probert
Ground conditions look like being ideal for DIAMOND DOUGAL to return to winning ways. It was in a stronger race that he stayed on for a frame finish at Haydock last time and he’s worked well on grass subsequently. As a hold-up horse, he will need the gaps to appear, though the field may choose to make a beeline for the far rail.
Carlisle Best Bets
Race 1: SPACE ACE (8)
Trainer: Archie Watson
Jockey: Hollie Doyle
SPACE ACE can take full advantage of the 12lb she receives from Troubador. Although failing to land the odds when heavily be on her debut at Chelmsford, the filly has delighted her trainer in subsequent work and should show herself to be as effective switched to grass.
Nottingham Best Bet
Race 2: APLOMB (4)
Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Haggas has a wealth of talent heading to Royal Ascot this week, and while APLOMB won’t be amongst them the sprinter will be in his element dropping back in trip, having failed to stay seven furlongs at Musselburgh last time. He has also shown some of his best form with cut in the ground, so if conditions ease it won’t be a problem to him.
Royal Ascot Best Bets (18 June)
Race 1: MUSTASHRY (9)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
Jockey: Jim Crowley
It’s uncanny how Stoute manages to exact improvement from mature horses and that gift has rarely been better demonstrated than with MUSTASHRY. The now six-year-old posted a first Group 1 triumph by powering two and a half lengths clear of Laurens in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and under similar conditions can confirm placings with that filly. He is a strong traveller with a potent turn of foot – just the assets required to take the meeting’s opener.
Race 2: THREAT (16)
Trainer: Richard Hannon
Jockey: Tom Marquand
The Coventry Stakes carries Group 2 status but has all the trappings of a Group 1 and THREAT can prove he is the best colt from the impressive Hannon academy. The colt coped with five furlongs to storm home on his debut at Newmarket and the way he’s been kicking everything into touch on the Herridge gallops suggests he’s going to love this step up to six. His trainer has no hesitation in naming him the stable’s
best winning chance of the week.
Race 4: SKARDU (8) (Each Way)
Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: James Doyle
While he has work to do with the horses that beat him in both the Newmarket and Irish 2,000 Guineas, SKARDU appeals as a value player in a race that is not averse to upsets. He found himself drawn on the wrong part of the course in our Guineas whilst not disgracing himself by finishing in the money in Ireland. His trainer is happy with him, while track, trip and ground are other ticked boxes.
