Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing at Newcastle, Ascot and Ffos Los.
Newcastle Best Bet
Race 2: KING RAGNAR (8)
Trainer: Roger Varian
Jockey: Jack Mitchell
With two encouraging outings under his belt it will take something special to thwart KING RAGNAR from going one better. He’s cost his supports dear and especially when beaten by Ottoman Court at Chelmsford last time, but this is easier.
Race 6: SNOOKER JIM (10)
Trainer: Steph Hollinshead
Jockey: Jack Mitchell
Getting a decent break from the stalls is paramount to the chances of SNOOKER JIM who blew the start at Leicester last month before running on when the birds had flown. Switched to the all-weather, he is more than good enough to bag a race like this if things go his way.
Ascot Best Bet
Race 2: IGOR (7)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen
Henderson loves to spit this meeting for winners and the giant IGOR is well-tuned for this first outing since a defeat by Dolphin Square at Newton Abbot in May. He’s jumped proficiently in his schooling and can have the measure of stablemate Fred.
Race 3: CASCOVA (3)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Having rubbed shoulders with the best in his division in bumpers last season, CASCOVA has benefitted from a switch of stables and can endorse the promise of his homework and schooling on this first run over jumps. He won on his debut and finished runner-up in a good race at Cheltenham before signing off with a heavy defeat in the Festival Bumper but its easy to forgive him that. He’s a good horse and worth following.
Race 6: SPEED COMPANY (9)
Trainer: Ian Williams
Jockey: T J O’Brien
SPEED COMPANY hit the woodwork too many times for comfort last season but put that all behind him with a resounding comeback triumph at Chepstow where he turned a competitive looking handicap into a procession. Ridden with supreme confidence, he quickened clear after the final flight to beat Quoi De Neuf who then ran well in a better race at Cheltenham. It’s unlikely that the handicapper has caught up with him.
Ffos Los Best Bets
Race 5: ORIENTAL CROSS (6)
Trainer: Tim Vaughan
Jockey: Alan Johns
Having bolted up at Southwell last week it’s understandable connections of ORIENTAL CROSS want to strike while the iron’s hot. The selection didn’t have to break sweat to come home with head in chest in an admittedly poor race but the win should have done bundles for his confidence. His stable hit the target with a similar type in Barntown earlier in the week.
