Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from UK Racing at Chepstow, Hexham, Warwick and Kempton Park.
Chepstow Best Bets
Race 4: SHAUGHNESSY (3)
Trainer: Oliver Sherwood
Jockey: Leighton Aspell
The lightly-raced SHAUGHNESSY makes plenty of appeal on his reappearance. It’s a long time since he failed to trouble the judge and importantly he scored on his comeback last season. He showed an affinity for testing conditions on more than one occasion, including when a heavily backed third when last seen at Ffos Las in April.
Race 5: THE BIG BREAKAWAY (13)
Trainer: Colin Tizzard
Jockey: Robbie Power
Several of the big stables field interesting runners in this maiden hurdle but nothing holds quite the barrel of potential as THE BIG BREAKAWAY who is a fascinating prospect 9n 5his debut under Rules. His success in the maiden at the Quakertown point-to-point in the spring was gained in the most authoritative fashion and he’s displayed abundant promise in his build-up to this.
Race 6: FAIR KATE (2)
Trainer: Tom Lacey
Jockey: Alan Johns
With few miles on the clock and from a stable that’s good at readying one, FAIR KATE makes an abundant appeal in this finale. In a sense she’s on a recovery mission, having been heavily backed on her latest start here in March when she couldn’t withstand Deadringerforlove. Having strengthened up and matured, she’s now poised to go one better.
Hexham Best Bets
Race 2: BERING UPSUN (4)
Trainer: James Ewart
Jockey: Brian Hughes
As long as he doesn’t suffer from the ‘bounce’ factor this looks a fine opportunity for BERING UPSUN to follow-up his fluent comeback triumph at Kelso. The 8yo ran out a wide-margin winner after travelling well throughout and his connections can look forward to a rewarding season with him.
Race 3: KILTEALY BRIGGS (6)
Trainer: Jamie Snowden
Jockey: Adrian Heskin
Long-distance traveller KILTEALY BRIGGS has been unfortunate not to score already and after three near misses can now get his head in front. His attempt to make all when returning at Wincanton was only thwarted by a short head by Dolphin Square, form which makes him the one to beat in this novices’ hurdle.
Warwick Best Bets
Race 1: EMMAS JOY (15)
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
With the assistant of the sex allowance EMMAS JOY can put paid to her male rivals, having come on for her very taking run at Uttoxeter a month ago. She stayed on encouragingly in the straight to finish third to Prudhomme who must have been amiss when failing to endorse the form last week. There’s more to come from the selection who is proven in easy conditions.
Race 4: THEATRE GUIDE (2)
Trainer: Colin Tizzard
Jockey: Paddy Brennan
THEATRE GUIDE can trump his foes in this veterans’ chase after showing much of his old panache at Aintree last month. He was going well and must have traded short in running early in the home straight only to run out of gas at the penultimate fence. It’s possible he needed the run, in which case he can progress and thwart King’s Odyssey.
Kempton Park Best Bets
Race 2: LEZARDRIEUX (3)
Trainer: Grant Tuer
Jockey: S James
From a small stable but very much the eye-catcher in this nursery, LEZARDRIEUX can follow-up a hard-fought first victory at Newcastle. The selection enjoyed that first outing on an all-weather track to grittily hang on and should appreciate a sixth furlong and a draw that means he can get a handy early position off which to counter in the home straight.
Race 6: SOVEREIGN DUKE (6)
Trainer: Henry Candy
Jockey: David Probert
SOVEREIGN DUKE is an infrequent visitor to the racecourse meaning that he still has the potential for development as a staying handicapper next year. He failed to show his true ability when in the ruck in the Cesarewitch but showed in his only two other starts this year that he’s retained the bulk of his ability. His trainer has employed patience with him, suggesting he has a future in this division.
Written by Neil Morrice for Hollywoodbets
