Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing at Chepstow, Brighton, Windsor and Hexham.
Chepstow Best Bets
Race 5: ALUQAIR (4)
Trainer: Simon Crisford
Jockey: Jim Crowley
Having opened his account in decisive fashion at Salisbury ALUQAIR can keep up the good work for his in-form stable. If trying to repeat the forcing tactics that served him so well on that occasion he should be able to get onto an easy lead and he’ll be hard to peg back.
Race 7: MAGIC ACT (6)
Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: Andrew Breslin
Although MAGIC ACT has no obvious claims in this apprentice handicap, why has his trainer brought him all the way from North Yorkshire as his only runner at the meeting unless he means business? He has the proverbial three duck eggs to his name but is surely better than his initial handicap mark indicates.
Brighton Best Bets
Race 1: ENJOY THE MOMENT (4)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: David Egan
Getting 9lbs from Fashion Free, ENJOY THE MOMENT can bounce back from a costly defeat at Catterick in which she started odds-on. That was in a humble seller but she’s far better than the run indicates. Her trainer thinks she didn’t stay, hence this cut back on the distance ladder to six furlongs.
Race 3: KNOCKABOUT QUEEN (3)
Trainer: Tony Carroll
Jockey: Kieren Fox
Since changing stables it’s taken KNOCKABOUT QUEEN a long time to show any worthwhile form but she finally indicated with a frame finish at Wolverhampton last time that she’s getting close to a renaissance. That was in a Class 6 and is nothing to get carried away with, but in a weak race she should get into the argument.
Windsor Best Bets
Race 5: VERIFY (5)
Trainer: Ed Walker
Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Having been blocked just as he was making his run, VERIFY failed by just a short head to catch Robert Fitzroy at Yarmouth to clock his second near-miss in successive outings. He’s a lightly raced individual whose profile stacks up powerfully in this weak looking affair.
Race 7: DUBIOUS AFFAIR (6)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
Jockey: Richard Kingscote
With far fewer miles on the clock than the other runners, DUBIOUS AFFAIR is a filly ready to deliver in the nightcap. She’s got better from race to race and when second to Vindolanda at Beverley only gave best in the final 100 yards.
Hexham Best Bets
Race 4: MURPHY’S LAW (1)
Trainer: Keith Dalgleish
Jockey: Brian Hughes
MURPHY’S LAW is an up and coming novice worth following, and more than capable of successfully giving away weight to his rivals here. His win at Bangor was as smooth as silk and he has the versatility to be able to handle a cut back on the distance ladder.
