Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing at Hamilton, Sandown, Newcastle and Thirsk.
Hamilton Park Best Bets
Race 4: SET IN STONE (4)
Trainer: Andrew Hughes
Jockey: Tagdh O’Shea
SET IN STONE hails from an Irish stable that does well here and has her tail up following a smooth course and distance success last month. On that occasion, she took advantage of her tumbling mark to outstay Strong Steps. Now she’s put her head in front she can keep up the good work under multiple UAE champion jockey O’Shea.
Race 7: TADAANY (12)
Trainer: Ruth Carr
Jockey: Tom Eaves
TADAANY, one of several course winners in this race, looks to be on a workable mark and deserves to get his head back in front. He signalled that time was imminent with a closing third of five to Afandem at Nottingham and his stable is doing well with its sprinters.
Sandown Best Bets
Race 2: SECRETFACT (2)
Trainer: Malcolm Saunders
Jockey: Jimmy Quinn
Having gone close on two of his last three starts, SECRETFACT is cherry ripe to oblige if the cards fall right for him. He has the beating of Spanish Star on their running at Lingfield in June, and if being delivered late is in the mood to swoop to conquer. Course specialist Gnaad could prove the chief threat.
Race 6: SEASCAPE (6)
Trainer: Henry Candy
Jockey: David Probert
As an inexperienced filly SEASCAPE holds scope for improvement and there’s been a lot to like about her first win at Salisbury and second to Theodora De Vega at Leicester. Her trainer does well with this type of individual, and after pleasing in her winding up gallop at Kingston Warren she can regain the winning thread.
Newcastle Best Bets
Race 5: PHILOSOPHICAL (5)
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe
Jockey: J Garrity
While 300,000 Guineas debutant Cape Palace will head the market, his inexperience is a cause for concern and the value could lie with PHILOSOPHICAL. He looked better the further he travelled on his Doncaster introduction, troubling the judge behind Wycliffe. That was on soft ground and he switches to Tapeta but has scope for plenty of improvement.
Race 7: SOPHIA MARIA (8)
Trainer: James Bethell
Jockey: Jane Elliott
After looking all over the winner, SOPHIA MARIA was nailed in the last couple of strides in this grade at Catterick in what was easily her best effort of the campaign so far. Having shown promise as a juvenile last year, she put in a number of disappointing efforts and tumbled down the ratings, but is now in the form to take advantage.
Thirsk Best Bets
Race 4: MUSCIKA (4)
Trainer: David O’Meara
Jockey: H Shaw
MUSCIKA displayed blinding speed to lead the far side Group in the Great Sr Wilfred Handicap at Ripon before fading inside the final furlong. That was the latest in a sequence of place finishes for the 5yo who is most reliable and deserves to land a decent sprint. Having won over course and distance in the past, everything points to another bold showing.
Race 5: TADAAWOL (3)
Trainer: Roger Fell
Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
Making a one rung drop down the class ladder into a Class 4 from a Class 3, TADAAWOL is performing well enough to be given strong Win and Place claims in this tricky handicap. He faces a handful of rivals that are similarly on the brink of a return to form, but served notice that he can resume winning ways when third in that better race at Catterick.
