Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Wednesday’s racing at Southwell, Kempton, Ayr, Warwick and Yarmouth.
Southwell Best Bets
Race 4: HENRIETTA BELL (3) (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Whittington
Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Having given a good account to finish second on her hurdling debut at Market Rasen, HENRIETTA BELL can now go one better and will probably need to lead from the outset. Those tactics nearly paid off last week and its to be hoped this easy track will play to her strengths. She’s certainly too talented to remain a maiden for much longer.
Race 5: GLOBAL TOUR (1)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien
Jockey: Max Kendrick
Connections of GLOBAL TOUR are looking to strike before the gelding is reassessed for his recent Ludlow triumph and there’s every chance the 6yo will complete a hat-trick as an automatic favourite.
Kempton Best Bets
Race 1: RAKASTAVA (7)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: George Bass
RAKASTAVA Has shown his best form on the all-weather and remains unexposed and hard to weigh up. The grey encountered soft ground when finishing in mid-division on grass at Haydock last time where he did make up some late ground when the race was over. He’s been giving off good signals at home, even though it’s taken him a while to come in his coat.
Race 5: KOEMAN (2)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: David Egan
Reverting to a Class 3 on sand from running a cracker in a Class 2 on turf at Newmarket, KOEMAN looks poised to play a big part in this feature. He kept on gamely to be beaten just half a length into third in that comeback outing, with the winner Baghdad looking useful. This slightly shorter trip shouldn’t faze him, while he already a winner over this course and distance.
Ayr Best Bets
Race 5: SHENANIGANS (5)
Trainer: Roger Varian
Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Top rated in this field and deserving of a change of luck, SHENANIGANS can outclass her foes in the day’s feature. She started 2019 with an encouraging run in a similar race at Kempton, finishing fourth of 14 behind Agrotera. She remains in Listed company but this looks a far more winnable race.
Race 7: REBEL STATE (4)
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe
Jockey: Owen Payton
With two races under his belt REBEL STATE is primed to go close in this over a course and distance he’s proven. On the Newcastle Tapeta last time he finished off his race strongly and might have been unfortunate not to get closer to the winner She’s Royal. Granted luck in running and a good pace to aim at he can have a big say.
Warwick Best Bets
Race 1: STORY OF FRIENDS (5)
Trainer: David Pipe
Jockey: Tom Scudamore
Hailing from a stable that has its team of summer jumpers in good order, STORY OF FRIENDS can endorse the promise of his smooth success at Exeter as he moves up the distance ladder. He could be named the winner a long way out on that occasion, and looks one to follow.
Race 4: DINO VELVET (1)
Trainer: Alan King
Jockey: Adrian Heskin
Top weight in the day’s feature might not stop DINO VELVET who is an improved performer this season, judging from his solid run in the very competitive Swindon Hurdle at Haydock. The hold-up tactics that are often employed on him never quite looked like reaping dividends but he did pick up on the run in to finish just out of the money, and this is easier.
Yarmouth Best Bet
Race 3: BUTTERFIELD (6)
Trainer: Tony Carroll
Jockey: E J Walsh
Strictly on the book BUTTERFIELD has something to find with Top Rock Talula from Bath last week but in different circumstances, he can turn the tables. The selection should appreciate today’s longer trip and will be a bigger price than his foe, bringing value to the equation.
