Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Leicester, Pontefract and Newton Abbot on Tuesday 7 July 2020.
LEICESTER
Race 4: No3 – IFTON
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Although winless since joining this stable before the start of the 2019 season, IFTON frequently got into the money and first time back from a break could be the time to catch him. Hollie Doyle rides him for the first time, and he can benefit from that.
Race 7: No1 – AU CLAIR DU LUNE (Nap)
Trainer: George Scott – Jockey: Harry Bentley
AU CLAIR DU LUNE ran out a most impressive winner when returning in a Doncaster novice to show she’d made great strides during the close season and lockdown. She’s up against an equally well-equipped rival in A Star Above who also impressed on his return, but at the respective prices, Au Clair Du Lune is the way to go.
PONTEFRACT
Race 1: No3 – CRYSTAL PEGASUS
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
CRYSTAL PEGASUS shaped like a good staying prospect on reappearance at Haydock where he was reeled in after getting tired in the final furlong. Like most sons of Australia, he will enjoy racing over further in time, but this should be well within his compass.
Race 7: No9 – SCENTASIA
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Rab Havlin
SCENTASIA looks the way to go in the featured Pipalong Stakes if forgiven her lackluster comeback effort at Kempton behind Nazeef. Her excellent form in winning a Class 3 handicap at Yarmouth and back-to-back Listed contests at Lingfield in the autumn and early winter make her a standout, but she has to prove she’s still as good.
Race 8: No1 – SUMMERGHAND (Nap)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
Few horses can be said to have been more unlucky not to win a big handicap than SUMMERGHAND in the Wokingham. From what looked an impossible position a furlong and a half out he grabbed the bit and flew home, leaving it a stride too late to catch Hey Jonesy who held on by a nose. The set up of today’s race is completely different, but he’s too good not to be winning soon, and with any luck at all, he will.
Race 9: No10 – ROUND THE ISLAND (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Whitaker – Jockey: Phil Dennis
A standing dish here, ROUND THE ISLAND will be sharper for his comeback outing last week and makes plenty of appeal getting weight from his foes. The last five of the gelding’s seven career wins have happened at this course, while this race should be run to suit.
NEWTON ABBOT
Race 8: No5 – CHELTENHAM DE VAIGE
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Paddy Brennan
O’Brien has had time to get to know CHELTENHAM DE VAIGE who has attracted market support on all four starts since joining that trainer. Even at eight, he has scope for improvement, and first time back looks the time to catch him. He should have the measure of Oxwich Bay, who frequently finds one to beat him.
Race 9: No5 – BEHOLDEN
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Conor O’Farrell
From a yard whose bumper runners are few and far between, BEHOLDEN can take home a cheque in the nightcap, although he’s up against a couple of dangerous-looking foes in Bob Pebble and Follow That – each of whom have previous experience.
