Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Sunday’s racing coming your way from York, Musselburgh, and Fontwell.
YORK
Race 2: No9 – POET’S DAWN (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby -Jockey: Ella McCain
While the draw hasn’t been kind to POET’S DAWN the manner of his Ripon win last week was of a horse with plenty to come. His forcing tactics lent themselves to that track with its rolling cambers, and he was in total control through the final quarter-mile. This is an ultra-competitive heat, but with his pilot taking 7lb extra off, he could again prove hard to peg back.
Race 3: No3 – JASH (Nap)
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: Jim Crowley
Class jumpers Starman and Aristocratic Lady take the eye in this Listed contest but the latter’s stablemate JASH could prove too good for them if able to return to his smart juvenile form when he had his winning sequence halted only by Ten Sovereigns in the Middle Park. Things haven’t gone so well for him subsequently, as illustrated by only three more outings, and he definitely needed his comeback run when fourth to Glen Shiel on the all-weather. If that’s brought him to the boil he can prove the answer.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 3: No8 – BASHIBA (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Tinkler – Jockey: Roman Scott
BASHIBA’s last success happened here exactly 12 months ago, making the gelding of considerable interest as he’s not enjoyed the rub of the green since returning in mid-June. He needs everything to drop right but has got himself close to near his last winning mark.
Race 8: No13 – JOYFUL STAR (Each Way)
Trainer: Fred Watson – Jockey: Andrew Mullen
The nightcap can go to the in-form JOYFUL STAR, who though getting long in the tooth is displaying the enthusiasm needed to take it out. His last three outings in Scotland have yielded a near miss here and two thirds at Ayr, and while you have to look back to January 2018 for his last win he deserves a change of luck.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 2: No2 – PAGERO
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Having defied a 15lb rise in the weights when making a winning return at Newton Abbot, PAGERO can now show that a further 4lb rise for that success isn’t enough to thwart his progress. Seeking what would be a four-timer, he should confirm his status as a fast improver bound for better things.
Race 7: No1 – GRIZZMAN (Nap)
Trainer: Tom Lacey – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
GRIZZMAN enters the bumper stage as the winner of his only point-to-point start at Larkhill in March. The grey has worked with gusto ahead of a first run under Rules that should see him remain unbeaten.
