Neil Morrice brings us all of his tips from Wednesday’s racing at Yarmouth, Bath, York and Newton Abbott
Yarmouth Best Bet
Race 2: ARCHER’S DREAM (2)
Trainer: James Fanshawe
Jockey: George Wood
Hugely impressive on her debut at Doncaster, ARCHER’S DREAM is a filly to follow and can continue on an upward curve. Legend has it that the ghost of Fred Archer haunts Fanshawe’s Pegasus Stables in Newmarket and Archer’s Dream can haunt the bookmakers as the form of that Town Moor race is working out. Everything points to her remaining unbeaten.
Bath Best Bet
Race 6: BUTTERFIELD (7)
Trainer: Tony Carroll
Jockey: Tom Marquand
There’s a collateral form line that links several of these very closely but the one with most scope for improvement is BUTTERFIELD who enjoys a swing in the weights with Gendarme from the last meeting here. Agent Gibb, Millie May and Cougar Kid are also in with a shout but Butterfield enjoyed the switch to grass last time and can consolidate.
York Best Bets
Race 3: INVINCIBLE ARMY (6) (Nap)
Trainer: James Tate
Jockey: PJ McDonald
Few sprigs Ning performances this season have matched that of INVINCIBLE ARMY when he landed Doncaster’s Cammidge Trophy back in March. The colt displayed excellent all-round pace to race prominently and then put the race to bed with a second change of gear. Not many horses can do that, and if this horse has made as much improvement as his connections think he can take a high order in the sprint division this year.
Race 4: FRANKELLINA (4)
Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: James Doyle
The beautifully-bred FRANKELLINA can light up the Investec Oaks picture by preserving her unbeaten career record in this traditional trial for Epsom. Representing the trainer that landed this 12 months ago, she might not have landed her only outing at Yarmouth decisively but the evidence from the gallops is that she’s stronger both physically and mentally this year and is ready to put her best foot forward.
Race 5: CHAIRMANOFTHEBOARD (4) (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Without question the most talented of his trainer’s juvenile crop last year, CHAIRMANOFTHEBOARD has since bolting up on his debut at Goodwood proved something of an enigma. He probably found the Horris Hill coming too quick just a fortnight afterwards, but in all three of his starts this year he’s struggled. However, the addition of a first-time visor could bring about a change for the better, and at a likely big double-figure price I’m giving him another chance.
Newton Abbot Best Bet
Race 1: CASA TALL (5)
Trainer: Tom George
Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Former French racer CASA TALL has been given a kid glove training programme since joining his current trainer but in that time shown abundant promise. The 5yo troubled the judge in an ultra competitive handicap hurdle at Haydock last month and has subsequently had to miss another race owing to unsuitable ground. He possibly has more scope for improvement than his foes in this cracking opener.
