Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing at Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Newbury and Thirsk.
Wolverhampton Park Best Bets
Race 2: HOLLYWOOD WALTZ (6)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Callum Shepherd
The drop to five furlongs and switch to an all-weather surface are the keys to HOLLYWOOD WALTZ gaining a first career triumph. The daughter of Free Eagle has shown good natural pace on her last two of three starts only to weaken at the finish. But from a super draw one off the rail she could soon be in command and take some pegging back.
Race 7: SWEET PROMISE (1)
Trainer: James Fanshawe
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Backers of SWEET PROMISE will look to the 4.45 Race at Nottingham five minutes earlier hoping to see her latest run when beaten by Ojooba, endorsed by the latter. Ojooba ended the selection’s unbeaten record in that race, also at Nottingham, but it was probably a very good effort to try to give away 7lb.
Nottingham Park Park Best Bets
Race 4: EULA VARNER (1)
Trainer: Henry Candy
Jockey: Jim Crowley
EULA VARNER is giving both age and weight to most of her rivals but this most consistent individual should give a good account. She regularly troubles the judge, and though slightly disappointing at Newmarket last time is worth another chance, having pleased connections in her winding up work for this.
Race 7: DARK DEVIL (1)
Trainer: Richard Fahey
Jockey: Mr E Cagney
DARK DEVIL is top weight in this amateur riders’ handicap for a reason and can show he’s the best of the bunch. He’s been running creditably in better races and for this class, drop has to be taken very seriously off a mark of 66, as he’s given out clear indications that he’s about to hit winning form.
Newbury Best Bets
Race 1: OTTOMAN COURT (7)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: William Buick
Having shown himself to be a ‘talking horse’ by twice being beaten as a short-priced favourite, OTTOMAN COURT can prove the perfect comeback horse for his jockey. Something must have been amiss when he was well beaten on debut, but he then had the misfortune to run into the very useful Visinari at Newmarket. Moving from six furlongs to seven he looks to have the clear beating of his foes.
Race 6: STAR IN THE MAKING (6)
Trainer: Clive Cox
Jockey: Hector Crouch
From a yard that likes to win with their best juveniles at this track, STAR IN THE MAKING should have the wherewithal to open her account. On her Windsor debut, she gave Theory Of Time plenty to think about while only getting the hang of things in the closing stages. That is almost certainly the best form on offer.
Thirsk Park Park Best Bets
Race 2: SOARING STAR (11)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan
Jockey: Kevin Scott
Fresh from an eyecatching debut effort at Doncaster, SOARING STAR has plenty going for him and can show how unlucky he was that day. Having stumbled just as he angled into contention approaching no the final furlong, and having to be switched right, he ran on with such purpose that he was only a neck adrift of St Ives at the line. Taking into account the normal improvement we can expect, Soaring Star is the one to be on.
Race 7: DEW POND (9)
Trainer: Tim Easterby
Jockey: George Bass
Returning to the scene of his last victory, DEW POND looks primed to return to winning ways after a cracking run in defeat at Musselburgh where he chased home Euro Implosion. The dual-purpose performer should get the strong pace required for him to travel strongly and swoop to conquer at the business end.
