Neil Morrice brings you his best bets from around the United Kingdom on Thursday 11 April 2019! Tips come your way from Huntingdon, Wetherby, Chelmsford City and Newcastle.
Huntingdon Best Bets
Race 1: CONCHITA (9)
Trainer: Mike Roberts
Jockey: Tom O’Brien
This weak mares’ maiden hurdle looks like boiling up into a straight match between So Lonely and CONCHITA and I fancy the last-named filly to have the edge. Although So Lonely has competed in better company, Conchita is on the up as she showed when third in a big field over this course and distance back in January. She will strip a fresh horse following her winter break, and with few miles on the clock is one to follow through the spring.
Race 2: SAUMUR (3)
Trainer: Denis Coakley
Jockey: John Burke
The underrated Coakley might have found a good opportunity for SAUMUR to put her best foot forward in what is probably the weaker of the two divisions of this race. He campaigned her successfully on the Flat and after two frame finishes in as many outings over hurdles she’s ready to step up to the plate.
Wetherby Best Bets
Race 6: NEVER UP (8)
Trainer: Sue Smith
Jockey: Danny Cook
Ground conditions will be different to those NEVER UP encountered when making most to score at Carlisle last month. In that gluepot, he galloped his rivals into submission, but it was only a second outing of the season for the eight-year-old who can show he has more to offer on this drying ground.
Race 7: WIG WAM WIGGLE (4)
Trainer: Micky Hammond
Jockey: Billy Garritty
Although beaten a fair way when third at Carlisle last time, WIG WAM WIGGLE probably didn’t see out the trip. He was a clear cut winner on his previous start and with Hammond bringing him back in distance, a return to winning ways is in the offing.
Chelmsford City Best Bet
Race 4: U S S MICHIGAN (9)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
The multiple Irish Champion trainer saddles his first runners at this track and states that if he has a horse for next month’s Kentucky Derby it is U S S MICHIGAN. Described as “a long-striding cruiser” by O’Brien, U S S MICHIGAN smoothly landed the odds on his reappearance at Dundalk, and can confirm his liking for Polytrack by winning this. He’s well drawn, has scope for any amount of improvement, and will almost certainly book his ticket to Louisville if successful.
Newcastle Best Bet
Race 6: ALNASHERAT (6)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
Jockey: Harry Bentley
Looking the outstanding bet on an otherwise trapped card, ALNASHERAT has the beating of these on his excellent second and latest career start at Newmarket. He started 11-8 favourite but ran into a potential top-notcher in Quarto. There was absolutely no disgrace in going down by three lengths to that Classic-bound rival.
