Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Tuesday’s racing at Chepstow, Stratford, Brighton and Hamilton.
Chepstow Best Bets
Race 2: SIR ARTHUR DAYNE (8)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Franny Norton
Despite finishing in the ruck on his Windsor debut, SIR ARTHUR DAYNE was only beaten around five lengths after crucially missing the break. He’d shown plenty of promise at home beforehand, and will know more of what’s required with the benefit of that experience. As one of just four runners bringing form to the table he can get into the argument.
Race 5: SO NEAR SO FARHH (7)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Franny Norton
SO NEAR SO FARHH came to hand at this time last year and is a summer horse who should have won already this season. There’s not much of this leggy individual but on better going than she encountered at Lingfield last time she can raise her game to outpoint a batch of largely out of form stayers.
Stratford Best Bets
Race 1: SURREY BLAZE (8)
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
As a winner of five of his seventeen starts on the Flat SURREY BLAZE has to be of serious interest on his jumps debut for the Skelton winner factory. He’s done plenty of work and schooled well and can start as he means to go on by making short work of his rivals.
Race 4 No2 FRESH NEW DAWN
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Richard Johnson
FRESH NEW DAWN doesn’t have many miles on the clock, making him a prime candidate for improvement against largely exposed rivals. His cosy Huntingdon win in May should have provided a confidence boost and he can carry on an upward curve to thwart Hat-trick seeking Dovils Date.
Brighton Best Bets
Race 5: GARRISON COMMANDER (2)
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
While not able to live up to his reputation as a 2yo, GARRISON COMMANDER can begin to make up for lost time with the championship leader a significant jockey booking. He’s not been getting home over a mile and a half and should enjoy the shorter trip in a race that shouldn’t take too much winning.
Race 6: PEGASUS BRIDGE (5)
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton
Jockey: Georgia Dobie
The blinkered PEGASUS BRIDGE raised his game switched to the all-weather last time when running close to higher rated horses in a claimer. Like Garrison Commander, he’s not managed to fulfil the promise he showed on the home gallops as a juvenile but finds himself in a weak contest with a capable apprentice taking 7lb off his back.
Hamilton Best Bets
Race 4: LAST EMPIRE (1)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan
Jockey: Danny Tudhope
Soft ground proved no problem to LAST EMPIRE when he opened his account over course and distance and jockey Tudhope was sufficiently impressed to stick with him here. The going is likely to be a fair bit quicker but even under a penalty and the fact the form has been devalued, he should prove very hard to beat.
Race 5: BROTHER McGONAGALL (4)
Trainer: Tim Easterby
Jockey: David Allan
Three horses that clashed in a hot handicap at Carlisle last week cross swords again and I fancy BROTHER McGONOGALL to turn the tables on Club Wexford and Mikmak on this different course. The selection has winning form here and might not have had the best of luck, meaning that he will start a bigger price than he should be.
