Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Monday’s racing at Haydock Park, Taunton and Lingfield.
Haydock Park Best Bets
Race 3: FIRST LORD DE CRUET (1)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: David Noonan
The grey FIRST LORD DE CRUET made all to win decisively at Southwell last time and finds himself in the perfect place to consolidate. His trainer does well with this type of horse who now has a first time tongue tie that could bring about further improvement.
Race 4: PERFECT CANDIDATE (4)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Paddy Brennan
With his eye on the Randox Health Grand National, PERFECT CANDIDATE can take this marathon and stamp an early marker for that race. He showed a willing attitude to lead more or less throughout over this course and distance last time. The horse he beat Moving In Style gave the form a boost when second in the Mandarin at Newbury on Saturday.
Taunton Best Bets
Race 3: ELITE GARDE (7)
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Richard Johnson
It’s doubtful that the assessor has caught up with ELITE GARDE who looks to have a fine chance of completing a hat-trick. Having gone up a total of 18lb he now needs to find more but he looks to be firmly in his comfort zone and his trainer reports him to be in top fettle to continue his winning run.
Race 4: SILVER FOREVER (2)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
Nicholls won this with Posh Trish last year and now looks to have an equally ideal candidate in SILVER FOREVER who hasn’t done much wrong in her three outings this season. She impressed on her first two starts and was in no way disgraced when third to Floressa at Newbury. This is a very warm novice but she can get back on the winning trail.
Lingfield Best Bet
Race 5: BIRKENHEAD (4)
Trainer: Les Eyre – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
BIRKENHEAD has a good draw from which to attack on this first attempt at six furlongs. He was in the firing line from the start when scoring here last time and has fully acclimated into his new stable. That brought about a 5lb rise in the ratings but it has also given his confidence a boost.
