Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing at Huntingdon, Kelso, Lingfield and Newcastle.
Huntingdon Best Bets
Race 4: TOP NOTCH (4)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Daryl Jacob
The tough dual-purpose performer TOP NOTCH should relish this return to fences in the featured Peterborough Chase. Fresh from a battling comeback triumph over hurdles at Aintree, where he gamely battled back after being headed on the run-in, the 8yo has a great chance to consolidate. He’s had a month’s gap since then and is fresh and well for the two and a half-mile contest at a course that will suit his style of racing.
Race 5: WEST CORK (14)
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Dropping WEST CORK back to two miles looks a logical step based on the way he ran out of gas towards the end of his latest start at Warwick. The former point-to-pointer’s jumping let him down at the business end of that race but it was as much lack of stamina that found him out. This strong traveller might also prefer operating on a right-handed track like this.
Kelso Best Bets
Race 1: ASK HIMSELF (1)
Trainer: Michael Scudamore
Jockey: Brendan Powell
ASK HIMSELF hasn’t done much wrong in his two starts this season and after those near misses deserved to open his account. He looked sure to prevail at Hereford when he held a four lengths lead over the final flight, but was mugged close home by the rank outsider Shanacoole Prince. If he puts in a similar effort it should be enough for him to see off Captain Blackpearl.
Race 7: FARLAM KING (12)
Trainer: Maurice Barnes
Jockey: Dale Irving
Having looked all over the winner FARLAM KING was worried out of it at Newcastle and his trainer now runs him over a slightly shorter trip. It’s hard to be sure that he didn’t get home as he pricked his ears on the run in and rallied when headed. If he turns up in similar mood today he will be a tough nut to crack.
Race 1: ISLAND HIDEAWAY (4)
Trainer: David Lanigan
Jockey: Shane Kelly
ISLAND HIDEAWAY looks to be improving and can play the experience card from a plum draw on the rail in this fillies’ maiden. She stepped up on previous efforts to chase home Fantail at Chelmsford last month, with a dozen fillies behind her. There’s no form on offer from the others to match that, and she is a worthy favourite.
Race 7: STAKE ACCLAIM (1)
Trainer: Dean Ivory
Jockey: Adam Kirby
STAKE ACCLAIM signalled that his time is near when troubling the judge in Listed company here last month, an effort that should have brought him fully to the boil. Although beaten two and three-quarter lengths by the winner Judicial he led inside the distance and the drop into handicap company over a shorter trip gives him a more straightforward assignment.
Race 2: WHERE’S MICK (8)
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe
Jockey: PJ McDonald
Well drawn and with the most experience in this maiden, WHERE’S MICK can benefit from a drop back to a spring distance. He was only collared in the final furlong on his recent visit here and should know too much for Newmarket raider Corvair.
Race 3: SHAMMAH (1)
Trainer: Richard Hanson
Jockey: PJ McDonald
The penalised SHAMMAH returns from four months off but has plenty going for him in this novice stakes. A keen goer, he can make amends for a narrow defeat at Newbury when last seen in August.
Written by Neil Morrice for Hollywoodbets
