Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Friday’s racing at Newbury, Cheltenham and Doncaster.
Newbury Best Bets
Race 7: AFTER JOHN (16)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Kieran O’Neill
AFTER JOHN is not straightforward to train but has abundant ability when he chooses to use it. He goes in the very soft ground and finished as well as anything when third to Atalanta’s Boy in a Class 4 at Goodwood last time. This represents a step up the ladder but getting weight from everything in the field he is of interest.
Race 8: MR SMITH (7)
Trainer: C Bynes
Jockey: Levi Williams
Fresh from a resounding win over hurdles at Roscommon, when he was backed as if defeat was out of the question, MR SMITH is hard to weigh up transferred to the Flat and could be a laydown. He clearly loves the testing conditions, his confidence is sky high and the question has to be asked why is he making the long journey from Ireland.
Cheltenham Best Bets
Race 2: AL DANCER (2)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Undoubtedly the best of these over hurdles, AL DANCER can make a successful start to his new career over fences. He’s taken to the larger obstacles like a duck to water in his schooling at home and can have the measure of Getaway Trump. The selection captured Ascot’s Betfair Hurdle in February, and although disappointing at the Festival was probably over the top. He can go a long way as a chaser.
Race 4: WHOLESTONE (3)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey: Daryl Jacob
WHOLESTONE can make it a red letter day for his local connections by outclassing his foes. Last year’s Relkeel Hurdle winner jumped left when scoring on his chase debut at Perth but if repeated that trait shouldn’t prove a hindrance and he can defy his penalty on the way to better things.
Race 5: GETARIVER (11)
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
The unbeaten GETARIVER looked more than useful when backing up her point-to-point win with two bumper triumphs and has all the equipment needed, via a tongue tie and a hood, to make her settle. The free going 6yo kept finding of spite of taking a keen grip when last seen at Newbury in March and if her jumping holds up on this switch to hurdles will be hard to catch.
Doncaster Best Bets
Race 6: STORTING (9)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Silvestre de Sousa
Strictly on the book STORTING might struggle to turn the tables with Sandret on their meeting here at the Leger meeting, as the latter looked to have the proverbial ton in hand. However, he wasn’t entitled to do that on previous form and might find it harder to do a repeat from his revised mark. Furthermore Storting’s jockey will probably wait longer to unleash his final thrust. Soft ground specialist Alfred Boucher also comes into the equation but the value play is Storting.
Race 7: DANCE KING (9)
Trainer: Tim Easterby
Jockey: Mr William Easterby
While several in this are in better obvious form than DANCE KING it’s the latter that appeals most as he’s undoubtedly well handicapped and can come good at any time. His last two frame finishes indicate he’s on the cusp of a return to winning ways, and he’s likely to give us a good run for our money at a big price.
