Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing at Ascot, Fontwell and Hexham.
Ascot Best Bet
Race 2: HEREBY (5)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Jockey: Harry Bentley
Several take a step up the class ladder into Listed prize but as a winner of four of his last five outings HEREBY should have a big say. He’s shown the ability to win from the front or when held up, and with two other free going types in the contest it might be best for his jockey to drop him in. It’s a relatively short home straight at Ascot, and hopefully Hereby will be close enough to gun down the likes of I’ll Have Another.
Race 6: ROULSTON SCAR (2)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan
Jockey: Megan Nicholls
This horse/jockey combination greatly impressed me with the way they dominated a handicap at York last month, travelling strongly in the vanguard and powering clear when it came to the business end. The Yorkshire raider will handle any cut in the ground and even with an 8lb penalty to shoulder I expect him to follow-up.
Fontwell Best Bets
Race 1: KINGS TEMPTATION (3)
Trainer: Ben Case
Jockey: Stan Sheppard
The way KINGS TEMPTATION has operated on his last two visits to this figure-of-eight course suggests he will be hard to stop even though he’s moving up the class ladder under a 5lb penalty. After making all back in August he did well to hang on when his rider lost his irons after the final fence. The marathon trip brings out the best in him.
Race 6: GRACEFUL LEGEND (1)
Trainer: Ben Case
Jockey: Leighton Aspell
GRACEFUL LEGEND can help make it a good day for her trainer. Although off since April, fitness should not be an issue whilst she’s won better races off higher marks. She’s a good jumper who stays well and can outclass the four that take her on on her seasonal reappearance.
Hexham Best Bets
Race 2: ECHIQUIER (1)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey: Daryl Jacob
This team had a reverse when Ballymoy was outpointed yesterday but my feeling is that Daryl Jacob isn’t going all the way to the borders for the goodness of his health. ECHIQUIER is his only mount and, having shown plenty of promise in his homework at Grange Farm Stables, can supplement his success over fences in France with a first hurdles win on his UK debut 7nder Rules.
Race 4: TAXMEIFYOUCAN (3)
Trainer: Keith Dalgleish
Jockey: Brian Hughes
This featured handicap hurdle several in form protagonists including Only Orsenfoolsies and Meldrum Lad but a chance is taken that TAXMEIFYOUCAN is capable of leaving last season’s disappointing form behind. He contested some warm races but his form deteriorated with each outing. Now coming back from a near 200-day absence, he can put his best foot forward and spring a surprise.
