Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing at Ffos Las, Chelmsford, Salisbury and York.
Ffos Las Park Best Bets
Race 5: NORMA (2)
Trainer: James Fanshawe
Jockey: George Wood
In what is certain to turn into a tactical battle NORMA can outsmart her two equally in form foes. She travelled beautifully before opening her account with a decisive burst at Sandown, and even though that was a Class 5 she holds scope for a bundle of improvement.
Race 6: HAWRIDGE STORM (1)
Trainer: Rod Millman
Jockey: Liam Keniry
While his form tells you he’s unpredictable, HAWRIDGE STORM would be very hard to stop on his second at Goodwood and is now equipped with a first-time visor. His trainer has a good record at this course and seems to have found a weak Novice for the selection.
Chelmsford Park Park Best Bets
Race 5: SENIORITY (1)
Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: Jason Watson
Having skipped a wickedly hot heat at York yesterday, SENIORITY finds himself in a good place at a course he’s already proven and should be hard to stop. The five-year-old was unlucky not to enjoy more racing room in the Golden Mile at Goodwood but shouldn’t find interference at this course with its wide expanse in the short home straight.
Race 7: JUNIOR RIP (3)
Trainer: Roger Charlton
Jockey: Jason Watson
The course and distance win of JUNIOR RIP was boosted when the second went one better and it appears the horse is more effective on Polytrack, as he has bombed out in two previous races on turf. He returns with his tail up for an in-form stable and can follow up.
Salisbury Best Bets
Race 4: GOVERNOR OF PUNJAB (2)
Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: Franny Norton
GOVERNOR OF PUNJAB is more than ready for a first shot at a Group race after his decisive win in a sizzling hot nursery at Goodwood. He’s had three weeks to recover from those exertions, where he produced a smart turn of foot to put the race to bed and complete a hat-trick. The step up to a mile shouldn’t inconvenience him.
Race 6: CAMBRIC (3)
Trainer: Roger Charlton
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
CAMBRIC steps up to a mile and threequarters after twice delivering over a mile and a half and is an upwardly mobile stayer worth following. She could hardly have been more impressive at Newmarket’s July course earlier in the month, winning with the proverbial top in hand.
York Best Bets
Race 1: JAZEEL (8)
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe
Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Spencer is just the man to get the best out of JAZEEL in this viciously competitive opener. The selection has shown himself to be progressive since moving to the O’Keeffe yard and didn’t enjoy the rub of the green when a half-length second to Fayez at Goodwood. He will relish the likely strong pace in this, where stablemates Mandarin and Speed Company could give him most to think about.
Race 3: THREAT (14)
Trainer: Richard Hannon
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
The Gimcrack Stakes is a traditional highlight of this meeting and gives THREAT a chance to return to winning ways after finishing second at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood. He deserves a Group success and did nothing wrong when caught by Golden Horde in the Richmond Stakes. His stable sent out a scintillating winner in Mums Tipple here yesterday and Threat can show he’s out of the top drawer.
Race 5: CELTIC ART (3)
Trainer: Paul Cole
Jockey: PJ McDonald
Cole often sends his best juveniles to the Knavesmire and CELTIC ART looks worth close inspection under an eyecatching jockey booking. He left his debut form a long way behind when second to Persuasion in a seven furlongs maiden at Goodwood where after being outpaced he stayed on strongly at the finish. He’s worked with aplomb at Whatcombe and can open his account.
