Neil Morrice brings you all of his best bets from Wednesday’s racing at Kelso, Chester, Southwell, Newton Abbot and Fontwell.
Kelso Best Bets
Race 1: FORTIFIED BAY (5)
Trainer: Jennie Candlish
Jockey: Sean Quinlan
If FORTIFIED BAY is anywhere near as good as when last seen in novice hurdles for Alan King he will make short work of his foes. I understand he’s plenty fit enough after a more than 700-day absence and can prove an instant hit for his new connections at the main expense of Floki.
Race 5: YORKIST (3)
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
While not managing to return to the same level of form that saw him score on his debut for the Skeltons at Aintree in November, YORKIST has kept pretty smart company in four subsequent outings and performed well enough since undergoing wind surgery to suggest he can win what is sure to be a tactical contest.
Chester Best Bets
Race 1: GREAT DAME (10)
Trainer: David O’Meara
Jockey: Danny Tudhope
An inside draw is pretty much essential in the Lily Agnes Stakes, celebrating one of the fastest two-year-olds to race on the Roodee. GREAT DAME‘s connections couldn’t have picked a better slot than gate 3 and with her early speed shining out like a beacon when she dotted up at Beverley she could be hard to catch.
Race 4: TECHNICIAN (8)
Trainer: Martyn Meade
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
With just the right profile for this, TECHNICIAN can foil a three-pronged Aidan O’Brien assault on a race that could have some bearing on the Investec Derby market. The Mastercraftsman colt is progressive, his trainer Martyn Meade excels with such horses, and the booking of Dettori has to be seen as a boon. The selection looked a tad unlucky not to win the Sandown Classic Trial and there’s a good chance compensation awaits him.
Race 5: MONS STAR (6)
Trainer: Saeed Bin Suroor
Jockey: Pat Cosgrave
MONS STAR cost a king’s ransom as a foal and can pay back some of that elevated price on his head by scoring in a fascinating maiden. He showed enough on his debut in a similar race at Newmarket’s Craven meeting to indicate he has the ability to match his price tag. He’s a rare runner here for his trainer, and is bred to handle conditions should significant rain fall at the course.
Southwell Best Bets
Race 3: NO THANKS (3) (Each Way)
Trainer: William Jarvis
Jockey: George Wood
Although he would struggle to win this on the bare evidence of three ‘duck egg’ outings as a juvenile, NO THANKS might well improve for being gelded since his latest start and have got into this off a lenient handicap mark. The hooded son of Derby winner Pour Moi could be a surprise packet and I shall pay to find out.
Race 4: BONNEVILLE (5)
Trainer: Rod Millman
Jockey: Theodore Ladd
Named after salt flats that hosted attempts at land speed records in the Fifties and Sixties, BONNEVILLE has some speeding up to do if he’s to finally open his account, but this looks a great chance to achieve it at the twelfth attempt. He’s been a little unlucky to run into foes from major stables that have thwarted him, and this race is not supported by any of the top Newmarket trainers. He should win.
Newton Abbot Best Bet
Race 5: YOU SAY WHAT (8)
Trainer: David Pipe
Jockey: Tom Scudamore
Exeter specialist YOU SAY WHAT travelled like a winner for much of the way before finishing third there on his second run back from a layoff. His jumping was in the main a joy to behold, the performance showing he’s retained plenty of the ability displayed before he was forced onto the sidelines with an injury. From this mark, getting weight from all but one of his rivals, he should prove hard to beat while any rain will make things even better for him.
Fontwell Park Best Bet
Race 7: BARTON ROSE (5)
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon
Jockey: Paul O’Brien
Another ultra-consistent performer whose chance will be considerably boosted by rain, BARTON ROSE doesn’t meet a horse of the calibre of her Huntingdon victor and looks nailed on to at least get into the money in this 8-runner affair. She’s dropped down the weights to a tempting mark.
