Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing at Beverley, Haydock Park, Sandown as well as an in-depth preview of the Coral-Eclipse Stakes.
Sandown undercard Best Bets
Race 2: HISTORY WRITER (7)
Trainer: David Menuisier
Jockey: Jason Watson
This is a tad more competitive than the race HISTORY WRITER landed here last month but so impressive was the 4yo that he can defy a rise in the weights. He has to do more than he normally would owing to a wide draw but as a hold-up horse his pilot can get him tucked in and settled before unleashing his run up the final hill. The Menuisier team continues in great form.
Race 3: MODERN MILLIE (7) (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Connections will be keen to capture some black type for MODERN MILLIE who has it to do on the book but must not be underestimated. She faced an impossible task from stall 1 in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot and yet travelled into the race well, only to find doors closing in front of her. A line can be put through the run, and based on how well she’s been going at home she’s worth chancing.
Race 5: BILLY RAY (1) (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
Jumping from a solid run in a Class 2 into Listed company, together with a step up the distance ladder, BILLY RAY is a fascinating runner in this. He will be completely overlooked in the betting but can play a part if his trainer gives him the green light to run. The 4yo hits the ground hard and has always preferred easy conditions and the hopes rest on the Clerk of the Course adopting his usual liberal watering policy.
Coral-Eclipse Stakes Preview
There’s no room for sentiment in today’s renewal of the Eclipse as the nation’s racing public gear up for the eagerly awaited return to the track of ENABLE.
The darling of the English turf will bring a buzz of excitement to the Esher course in her first step towards what owner Khaled Abdullah and trainer John Gosden hope will be a record-breaking third Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe victory at Paris-Longchamp on the first Sunday in October.
It was a magnificent training feat for Gosden to have his filly ready for that second Arc off the back of just one run on the all-weather, but the man’s wizardry will again be required if the 5yo is to land this Group 1 over a trip short of her best. Indeed it’s over two years since she last ran over a mile and a quarter.
Gosden has been vocal in his satisfaction over the way ENABLE has pleased him in her preparation for this, especially when Frankie Dettori rode her on the Limekilns a week ago. And her task has been eased somewhat by Sir Michael Stoute’s decision not to pitch Royal Ascot winner Crystal Ocean into the race.
However, there remain a number of obstacles for the favourite to overcome, not least two powerful opponents from Coolmore in the shape of CIRCUS MAXIMUS and MAGICAL.
If Aidan O’Brien’s roughie HUNTING HORN is a decoy dummy and there is no pace in the contest, meaning that Enable has to make her own running, that could greatly favour St James’s Palace winner Circus Maximus who displayed abundant speed at Ascot having also run respectably in sixth in the Investec Derby.
As both Hawk Wing and Roaring Lion have shown in past Eclipses, a lack of stamina for Epsom can be forgiven at Sandown.
At 8-11 with Hollywoodbets Enable looks far too short and the best of a few attractive alternatives is MAGICAL.
At the Louisville Breeders’ Cup Aidan O’Brien made it clear that MAGICAL was his ace card and he wasn’t far wrong as the filly, aided by the stalking Hunting Horn who forced Enable wide turning for home, made the latter fight tooth and nail for the spoils.
And this year Magical has looked even better and stronger, putting together a sequence of victories before chasing home Crystal Ocean on rain-softened ground that she hated in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.
The Stoute replacement for Crystal Ocean is REGAL REALITY who appeals as a viable Each Way option after demonstrating his liking for this course with a clear cut triumph over Matterhorn and DANCETERIA who have both won Pattern races since.
MUSTASHRY too can be given a viable chance for Stoute and Sheikh Hamdan as he moves up the distance ladder and I’m far from convinced he gave his running when out of the money in the Queen Anne. As a Group 1 winner, he needs respecting, and I expect him to make the frame at the very least.
Three-year-olds have a superb recent record in the race but I doubt that TELECASTER can add to that. He had a hard race when winning the Dante and was beaten a long way in the Investec Derby where he was far too keen early on.
On a day when a common sense approach is required, and remembering that the all-embracing goal for Enable is the Arc, I think she can be beaten.
Neil Morrice’s Predicted Finish:
1st: MAGICAL
2nd: Mustashry
3rd: Enable
4th: Circus Maximus
5th: Regal Reality
Beverley Best Bets
Race 1: KING’S CAPER (4)
Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: Connor Beasley
The heavy losses sustained on KING’S CAPER when he was rolled at Chester last month should be recouped here. He adopted the customary Johnston tactics of forcing the pace only to be bumped inside the final furlong and fail by inches to get back up. He should be able to grab the lead from a perfect gate position and will be hard to catch.
Race 4: LILIOFTHELAMPLIGHT (4)
Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: Connor Beasley
The battling qualities displayed by LILIOFTHELAMPLIGHT when she popped up as a 25-1 roughie at Newcastle can stand her in good stead as her shrewd trainer moves her up the class ladder. This is the type of filly Johnston excels with and she might well have sufficient progression in the tank to figure in his Glorious Goodwood plans.
Haydock Park Best Bets
Race 3: KOEMAN (13) (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: John Egan
KOEMAN has been all dressed up with nowhere to go since getting short-headed by Harbour Breeze on the Polytrack in May, with quicker conditions very much what he’s looking for. In fear of getting cut in the ground, connections swerved Royal Ascot to wait for this and the 5yo has been bursting with energy to make him one of the best Each Way Bets especially as four places are up for grabs. He’s a horse that finds for pressure and at 16-1 with Hollywoodbets is one to be on.
Race 4: GO WELL SPICY (3)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Franny Norton
A filly in a hurry is GO WELL SPICY who is going from strength to strength and can complete a quick hat-trick. Having easily landed the odds to open her account she powered clear at Doncaster to give her confidence a further boost. If her rate of improvement continues she can handle this step into the handicap zone and win again.
