Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing at Kempton Park, Wolverhampton, Plumpton and Newcastle.
Kempton Park Best Bets
Race 6: THEMATIC (4)
Trainer: Dominic Ffrench Davis
Jockey: Liam Keniry
Although failing to cut the mustard at Lingfield last month, when very easy to back, THEMATIC could turn out a different proposition dropped a class and in trip although the decision to back the 4yo should be articulated by market support.
Race 8: MISTRESS NELLIE (8) (Each Way)
Trainer: Bill Stone
Jockey: Hollie Doyle
MISTRESS NELLIE doesn’t always find as much as expected at the business end of her races but this looks a good opportunity for her to end a frustrating run of near misses. She only gave best in the final furlong at Lingfield last month and granted a strong pace to aim at can do better.
Wolverhampton Best Bets
Race 1: EGLISH (1)
Trainer: Adrian McGuinness
Jockey: Ben Curtis
The stats come down heavily in favour of Irish raider EGLISH who was close to the pace throughout his first run of the year on the Dundalk Poly. He made gradual progress to lead more than a furlong out and looked a score a shade snugly. He has a good draw from which his jockey can carry out a similarly astute tactical ride.
Race 3: RIDESON (9)
Trainer: Roger Varian
Jockey: Charlie Bennett
RIDESON is the clear pick on form and if overcoming a wide draw can deservedly open her account for top connections. She did nothing wrong when beaten just half a length in a big field at Chelmsford at the start of the month and should appreciate this slightly longer distance.
Race 1: KID COMMANDO (6)
Trainer: Anthony Honeyball
Jockey: Aidan Coleman
Having skipped an opportunity last week to wait for this less competitive maiden hurdle, KID COMMANDO can transfer the quality of his bumper form over to jumps. The 6yo was taking on some on the best in that field when finishing in mid-division behind Israel Champ at Ascot and is highly regarded by his astute trainer.
Race 2: MISTER MURCHAN (8)
Trainer: Richard Rowe
Jockey: Leighton Aspell
Money has arrived for MISTER MURCHAN on a couple of occasions this season and that could easily happen again as he’s attractively weighted in this staying handicap hurdle. However his best effort came on his latest start at Ascot when he chased home Flowing Cadenza, a repeat of which would put him bang in the firing line.
Race 5: TZAR DE L’ELFE (7)
Trainer: Richard Rowe
Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jnr
O’Neill is an interesting booking for TZAR DE L’ELFE who has shown on more than one occasion an affinity for this course. A mistake at a crucial stage cost him dear on his reappearance but he more than made up for it by staying on to grab Tractor Fred on the line over this distance last month.
Newcastle Best Bets
Race 2: BLACK ABBEY (4)
Trainer: Harry Whittington
Jockey: G Sheehan
Connections of BLACK ABBEY think he needed the run when beating all but Manucci at Fontwell. He’s had a choice of races to go for and the fact they have chosen to head north adds extra weight to the obvious claims of the gelding, who is also a good jumper.
Race 4: WHATSDASTORY (2)
Trainer: Dr Richard Newland
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Having decisively broken her duck over hurdles when coming home unchallenged at Southwell, WHATSDASTORY has the wherewithal to follow up for her bang in form connections. She is cutting back on the distance ladder but has good all-round tactical speed which will assist her.
Written by Neil Morrice for Hollywoodbets
