Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from UK Racing at Wolverhampton, Ludlow and Southwell.
Wolverhampton Best Bets
Race 1: FORESEE (3)
Trainer: Tony Carroll
Jockey: Ben Curtis
There’s been no stopping the irrepressible FORESEE who can complete a hat-trick in this winnable opener. The 7yo likes this course, has a good draw and a jockey operating at the top of his game, while he was so impressive when landing the odds in a Class 6 at Newcastle that it’s hard to imagine him not keeping up the good work at this slightly higher grade.
Race 2: NEVER DARK (7)
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: David Probert
When returning to chase home Tommy De Vito at Newcastle NEVER DARK was in no way disgraced as his conqueror is a well-regarded colt with a future. The support that saw him go off odds-on for that is surely only lent, and from the rail, he has enough going for him to open his account in this sprint.
Race 3: KNOCKABOUT QUEEN (1)
Trainer: Tony Carroll
Jockey: Kieren Fox
From the stable that landed this race 12 months ago, KNOCKABOUT QUEEN looks poised to complete a fine hat-trick. The handicapper has had his say, but the filly knows how to win by small margins. She has good tactical awareness that can help her defy top weight.
Race 7: QUEEN OF SILCA (4)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Nicola Currie
Without saying she’s a winner without a penalty, QUEEN OF SILCA would surely have gone close at Lingfield last month but for having the door closed in her face after her pilot went for a daring run up the inner. Stopped to a virtual walk, she lost more than the four lengths she was eventually beaten by. She’ll need better luck in running but that’s more likely to happen at this course.
Ludlow Best Bets
Race 2: INDIETIR (3)
Trainer: Christian Williams
Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
It calls for a fine training feat to successfully bring INDIETIR back from a more than 900-day absence, but the former French-based gelding represents an owner that does well with such imports. The 8yo landed four races over French hurdles that are more like our fences, and switched to this discipline needs to be taken seriously, even though Paint The Dream sets a very high standard.
Race 5: GELBOE DE CHANAY (1)
Trainer: Philip Hobbs
Jockey: Barry Geraghty
In spite of hitting the canvas on her UK debut at Fontwell GELBOE DE CHANAY remains a high-class prospect and can get her career back on track. It was far from certain that she would have won if avoiding that final flight exit but she’s been given plenty of time to recover. This former facile Auteuil scorer looks the answer.
Race 5: THE DELLERCHECKOUT (3) (Nap)
Trainer: Mrs Caroline Robinson
Jockey: Miss Immy Robinson
In the silks made popular by Cheltenham Foxhunters winner Eliogarty, THE DELLERCHECKOUT can confirm the promise of his short career in point-to-points in which he’s unbeaten in three starts. A more than useful performer for Paul Nicholls, his new handler gained the distinction of becoming the first woman to ride a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, so he has a lot to live up to.
Race 6: POLISH (8)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien
Jockey: Paddy Brennan
Considering it was his debut under Rules, POLISH did well to get to within three and a quarter lengths of the smart Masters Legacy at Taunton where his staying on effort augers well for this step up in trip. Granted the normal improvement the gelding should have derived from that, he looks the one to beat.
Southwell Best Bets
Race 3: LATENT HEAT (2)
Trainer: Tony Carroll
Jockey: Elisha Whittington
From a yard whose all-weather horses are going great guns, LATENT HEAT will be a big factor if handling the deeper Fibresand surface. He stepped up markedly on anything previously achieved on debut for his trainer at Wolverhampton where he went down by just a length to Reasoned in a blanket finish, while he now has an apprentice taking weight off his back.
Race 6: JAN VAN HOOF (2)
Trainer: Michael Herrington
Jockey: Barry McHugh
The ready success of JAN VAN HOOF at Newcastle stamps the 9yo an improved performer for his new yard. He landed the spoils with a degree of authority and has gone up 5lb, but if he proves as effective on Fibresand he will be hard to stop.
Written by Neil Morrice for Hollywoodbets
