Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing at Doncaster, Chepstow, Sandown and Salisbury including an in-depth preview of the Wainwright Flying Childers Stakes (Group 2).
3.45 Wainwright Flying Childers Stakes (Group 2)
This can provide a pointer to future sprint stars and in a competitive renewal A’ALI and ALLIGATOR ALLEY look set to dominate market exchanges in an England versus Ireland battle.
The Simon Crisford-trained A’ali notched two smooth successes before graduating up to the Group 1 Prix Morny, won by Earthlight. That four and three-quarter lengths fifth sets the standard for the others to aim at, as Earthlight looks one of the best 2yo colts in Europe. The only difference is that he’s coming back to five furlongs.
Alligator Ali has been slightly busier for Joseph O’Brien and comes here off the back of a decisive win in the Listed Roses Stakes at York. It showed what a good operator he is at the minimum trip and the eighth home DREAM SHOT looks safely held.
A second Irish challenger is WHEELS ON FIRE who was a 20-1 roughie when finishing just out of the money in the competitive Morecombe Stakes at Goodwood, won by Liberty Beach. That two and a quarter lengths defeat in the Group 3 reads well and could carry Wheels On Fire into the frame here.
FLAMING PRINCESS can also bring Pattern race form to the table and appeals as a value option granted there are three places in the eight runner field. Richard Fahey hit the board with a nice juvenile winner here earlier in the week and this filly can earn following her two lengths third to Al Raya in a Chantilly Group 3 last time.
Neil Morrice’s Predicted Finish
1st A’ALI
2nd Alligator Alley
3rd Flaming Princess
4th Wheels On Fire
5th Dream Shot
Doncaster Undercard Best Bets
Race 3: STRADIVARIUS (1)
Trainer: John Gosden
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
The Doncaster Cup looks at the mercy of STRADIVARIUS who can extend his winning sequence to make it a nap hand of successes in the Cup races this year. He’s looked better than ever and was far too good for Dee Ex Bee at York when landing the Lonsdale Cup for the second year running. It was his ninth win on the bounce.
Race 5: VISINARI (4)
Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Taking Pattern race Form into this Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes, VISINARI can uphold the decision to skip the Solario Stakes at Sandown. An impressive scorer on his debut before finishing third in the July Stakes, the colt is almost certainly better than he’s shown and can be forgiven a heavy defeat behind Pinatubo in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.
Race 8: STORTING (6)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
The booking of Murphy for STORTING is a major plus as the horse has a tendency to veer left, a trait that’s cost him a couple of probably victories this season. The strength of Silvestre de Sousa helped keep him on the rails when he bolted up at Pontefract and if Murphy proves as effective the combination should prevail.
Chester Best Bets
Race 1: BREATHALYZE (1)
Trainer: Tom Dascombe
Jockey: Richard Kingscote
As the only course winner in the race, BREATHALYZE has a certain edge over his rivals and again demonstrated good track craft when second to Berkshire Rocco over course and distance last time. Exacta wagerers should include Cognac, who has good gate speed but will hopefully be reeled in by my selection in the shirt home straight.
Race 5: MAYNE (5)
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: David Probert
Having raced exclusively on sand, MAYNE can successfully switch to grass and make it third time lucky for a stable that does well with its runners here. He was too free for his own good when second to Magical Rhythms at Kempton and is bred to appreciate this longer trip. He was a well-backed favourite that day, the losses from which can be recovered with interest.
Sandown Best Bets
Race 6: QUARRY BEACH (6)
Trainer: Henry Candy
Jockey: Jason Watson
It’s important that connections of the well-related QUARRY BEACH get a win into her and today could be the day. She’s hit the woodwork in three if her four starts this season while not displaying any characteristics of being ungenuine. She likes this track, as shown in her recent second behind Song Of The Isles when she stayed on well when meeting the rising ground.
Salisbury Best Bets
Race 6: HAWRIDGE STORM (6)
Trainer: Rod Millman
Jockey: David Egan
Unless newcomer Good Tidings is on his game, this should be HAWRIDGE STORM’s race by default. The public form of those that have run doesn’t look anything near good enough while the selection has posted a couple of near misses this season making him the undoubted horse to beat.
