Neil Morrice brings you all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Ascot, Ponttefract, Wolverhampton, Brighton, Clemsford City.
ASCOT
Race 2 No2 GUBBASS (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
Three first-time winners clash in the opener and the one making most appeal is GUBBASS. The son of Mehmas scored impressively at Leicester and hails from a stable adept at readying one for the Royal meeting, where this fellow will surely be heading in June.
Race 4 Longines Sagaro Stakes (Group 3)
No3 NAYEF ROAD
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Ben Curtis
Stradivarius is on the trail of a fourth Gold Cup, but having shown signs of vulnerability on Champions Day here in the autumn, he could be worth taking on with new kid on the block NAYEF ROAD. The latter was no match for Stradivarius in the Gold Cup, but fared much better against him when only beaten a length in the Goodwood Cup. He was beaten fair and square on final outing in the Yorkshire Cup but can show with another winter under his belt that he’s better than that, and a top contender for staying honours in 2021.
Race 5 No1 Supermacy
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Adam Kirby
Even though it can be tough on fast juveniles repeating their form at three, the advent of the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup here in June has given that division a serious three-year-old-only contest to aim at. In this trial, SUPREMACY can successfully give away weight all around. His Middle Park triumph stamps him as a top notcher, and he should take this out to tee himself up nicely for the Royal meeting.
PONTEFRACT
Race 3 No3 Rains of Castermere (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
RAINS OF CASTERMERE ended last season on a high with back-to-back successes and can continue from where he left off. He worked well on Monday and his trainer looks to have found a perfect opportunity for him in a race that has cut up.
Race 4 No6 ROUND THE ISLAND
Trainer: Simon Whitaker – Jockey: Phil Dennis
Six-times course winner ROUND THE ISLAND has earned away from here on both starts this season and will appreciate a return to his happiest hunting ground. The eight-year-old gets weight from all but one of his rivals, most of whom are out of form, and can post a first success under the guidance of his rookie handler.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 3 No1 GOLDEN HIND (Nap)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: James Doyle
Bringing an element of class to the table, GOLDEN HIND can sail home to get her 4-year-old campaign off to the perfect start. The daughter of Golden Horn is closely related to owner Sir Robert Ogden’s Group 1 winner Amazing Maria, and when last seen opened her account on the same surface she races on this afternoon.
Race 4 No5 SAULIRE STAR (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
Although finishing last but one on reappearance at Newbury, SAULIRE STAR was beaten only two and a half lengths by the winner Gloria Mundi, whilst the outing served to obtain her a handicap mark. This stoutly-bred individual now moves up in distance to a mile and a half and could prove a surprise package.
Race 6 No6 IMMACULATE (Each Way)
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Joe Fanning
The one that jumps off the page is Invincible Spirit filly IMMACULATE, who though well beaten in all three outings last year kicks off her three-year-old campaign off a potentially workable mark. It would come as no surprise to see plenty of improvement from her in this new division.
BRIGHTON
Race 2 No3 FLASH BETTY (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: David Probert
Gregorian filly FLASH BETTY beat only two home on debut here but might prove more streetwise with the benefit of that outing under her belt. She needs to improve to topple Pure Charmer, but represents each-way value at a likely big double-figure price.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 1 No3 CAROLUS MAGNUS
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Callum Hutchinson
CAROLUS MAGNUS has the points on the board courtesy of a snug cues at Newmarket where he beat a reliable yardstick in Magical Land. He has a good chance of following-up under a penalty.
Race 6 No3 STREET POET
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: John Shinnick
The bang in form STREET POET is very hard to look away from and complete a hat-trick. He escapes a penalty for his Wolverhampton success last week, and has forged a very effective relationship with his jockey.
Place Accumulater Perm (Races 1-7)
3 x 2 x 5, 8 x 2, 7 x 5, 2 x 3 x 1
R8
