Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing at Ripon, Chepstow, Epsom and Cartmel.
Ripon Best Bets
Race 4: PLATINUM STAR (2)
Trainer: Saeed Bin Suroor
Jockey: Callum Shepherd
Well clear on official rating for the Champion 2yo Trophy, PLATINUM STAR put in a career-best when second in the Group 2 July Stakes on his only start over this six furlongs. He could never get not the race when fifth to Pinatubo in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood but might not have acted on that undulating course.
Race 6: DOUBLE HONOUR (3)
Trainer: James Bethell
Jockey: PJ McDonald
This weak maiden should be fought out by the most experienced in the field, Narynkol and DOUBLE HONOUR. Although he failed to menace on his handicap debut at Redcar, Double Honour had been pretty solid before that and has a sporting chance here of overturning the favourite.
Chepstow Best Bets
Race 5: COOPERESS (13)
Trainer: Adrian Wintle
Jockey: Megan Nicholls
COOPERESS attracted support on her latest start over this course and distance and might not have enjoyed the rub of the green. She kept on well enough to get into the money when seeing daylight and, although she is an infrequent winner, she has every chance of ending the drought under Paul Nicholls’ daughter.
Race 7: CELTIC CLASSIC (6)
Trainer: Paul Cole
Jockey: Rossa Ryan
The blinkered CELTIC CLASSIC hasn’t done much wrong and has the assistance of a jockey who won a Group 2 for the stable on Saturday. He’s been in the money in his last three starts and as he was staying on at the finish at Windsor he should enjoy the step up in trip here.
Epsom Best Bets
Race 1: NAT LOVE (6)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Pat Dobbs
A change of jockey can work the oracle for NAT LOVE who got lit up and did too much in front at Chepstow last time. He’s the most exposed in the field but when putting a magnifying glass over the others it’s hard to find one that can beat him.
Race 7: PLUNGER (1)
Trainer: Paul Cole
Jockey: Pat Dobbs
Dobbs is also aboard PLUNGER who comes here as a recent winner of a race on the Deauville Polytrack. He has plenty of weight but is the one that could cause warm favourite Data Protection to some problems.
Cartmel Best Bets
Race 4: MAX DO BRAZIL (4)
Trainer: David Pipe
Jockey: Tom Scudamore
A tendency to jump left shouldn’t inconvenience MAX DO BRAZIL whose heavy defeat at Perth earlier in the month can be put down to the extreme ground conditions. Getting stacks of weight from two of his three rivals, he should be back in his comfort zone here.
Race 6: MR CLARKSON (2)
Trainer: David Pipe
Jockey: David Noonan
Pipe has nursed MR CLARKSON back to his best and the seven-year-old can complete a hat-trick. He was most impressive on his latest start over two and three-quarter miles here, going clear and showing no sign of stopping on the run-in. This ground won’t be quite as testing but the longer trip is going to suit him.
