Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets from Monday’s racing at Ludlow, Leicester, Carlisle and Windsor.
Ludlow Best Bet
Race 5: COAL STOCK (3)
Trainer: Sam Thomas
Jockey: James Bowen
Inexperienced but getting better with each visit to the track, COAL STOCK can open his account over jumps on his handicap bow. He couldn’t cope with The Flying Sofa at Plumpton last time but has learned from that.
Leicester Best Bet
Race 5: TIE A YELLOWRIBBON (8)
Trainer: James Bethell
Jockey: Josephine Gordon
As her form on grass is better than that on the all-weather the unexposed TIE A YELLOWRIBBON can raise her game following a slightly unlucky run at Wolverhampton last month. Her trainer adds first-time blinkers following that race in which she had to be switched before keeping on when the birds had flown.
Carlisle Best Bets
Race 3: TADAAWOL (3)
Trainer: Roger Fell
Jockey: B Sanderson
In consideration of his liking for the stiff mile here, TADAAWOL is taken to bounce back from a below-par effort at Thirsk last week. If rediscovering that initial zip from the gate the 6yo could repeat his win on this card 12 months ago, as he has a good draw from which to attack.
Race 5: IFTON (7)
Trainer: Ruth Carr
Jockey: James Sullivan
A change of scenery might have done wonders for IFTON, a speedily bred individual who is probably better than anything he showed in four outings as a juvenile. He has plenty of natural pace and can seize the initiative from his berth against the rail to enjoy a good start for new connections.
Windsor Best Bets
Race 1: EARL OF HARROW (9)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Named after ‘Screaming’ Lord Satch, founder of the Monster Raving Loony Party, EARL OF HARROW cut little ice on his handicap bow at Wetherby but should find this shorter mile and a half more to his liking whilst being fitter and better for having a run under his belt. While no star, he has improvement in him and Oisin Murphy looks a significant jockey booking.
Race 3: FOXTROT LADY (8) (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: David Probert
Although held by Dream Of Dreams on Chelmsford form last month, FOXTROT LADY experienced traffic problems and is better than her finishing position suggests. From one of owner/breeder Jeff Smith’s best sprinting families, she should get better with age and at likely big double-figure odds can get into the shake-up.
