Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing at Catterick, Windsor, and Lingfield.
Catterick Best Bets
Race 6: THE GREY ZEBEDEE (6)
Trainer: Tim Easterby
Jockey: Duran Fentiman
At this track that favours front runners, THE GREY ZEBEDEE can open his seasonal account. He’s been getting closer to the winner’s circle with each outing, latterly getting collared only in the final strides of a race at this course. It could be argued that his wide draw might prove a disadvantage, but in point of fact horses with high draws can benefit here should the horses stay in the middle of the track or head for the stands” rail when the ground rides soft, as it will.
Race 7: MAURICIO (5)
Trainer: Dr Richard Newland
Jockey: Miss Serena Brotherton
Connections of the in-form MAURICIO have shown they mean business by engaging Brotherton for the mount and her vast experience in the amateur ranks can be a key factor in the gelding completing a hat-trick. Although things didn’t completely go his way, Mauricio showed good track craft to get out of trouble and win quite costly in the end at Yarmouth. The race should have brought him on.
Windsor Best Bets
Race 1: QUIRKY GERTIE (3)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Scott McCullough
The consistent QUIRKY GERTIE impressively opened her account and then looked all over the winner at Epsom only to get mugged up the final hill. In that Class 6 handicap, she came there full of running, went a couple clear when asked to quicken up, but couldn’t quite hold the late rattle of Alotabottle. Cut on the ground is important to this filly, who worked well under her apprentice pilot last week.
Race 2: WRITTEN BROADCAST (9)
Trainer: Richard Hannon
Jockey: Sean Levey
Taking stock of the fact he had a bad off day when beating only one home in his maiden at the Goodwood Festival, it could be worth giving WRITTEN BROADCAST another chance to open his account. His previous two efforts are arguably the best form on offer in this, while his trainer reports him in very good order after a pleasing gallop last week.
Lingfield Best Bets
Race 5: SLOANE GARDEN (8)
Trainer: James Tate
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
While it’s harder to accurately gauge the value of form in smaller fields, SLOANE GARDEN didn’t do much wrong on her debut at Yarmouth when third of five to Mrs Dunscombe, beaten two and a quarter lengths. Granted normal progression from that over the more suitable seven furlongs she can put her best foot forward.
