Neil Morrice: UK Best Bets – Monday 16 August 2020

Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Monday’s racing coming your way from the Catterick, Windsor and Uttoxeter. 

CATTERICK

Race 6 No4 VITARE (Nap)

Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: George Bass

With a 7lb pull for a head defeat at Windsor last week you
have to fancy the chances of VITARE turning the tables on Ice Station Zebra. With
form figures of 232432 the selection is becoming a perennial bridegroom, but
he’s too good to remain a maiden much longer, while interesting is the addition
of Bass who is competent and good value for his 7lb claim. There can be no
excuses for the gelding on a track where he’s shown plenty of zip before.

 

Race 8 No1 BEHOLDEN

Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: George Bass

If there’s a joker in the pack in this novice it has to be
BEHOLDEN, who is arguably unlucky not to have won all three of his Bumper starts.
The Juddmonte cast off landed a gamble in spectacular fashion on debut at
Newton Abbot but threw it away by jumping a path on a return to that course,
and last time paid the price for being waited with, before ruining his chance
by hanging. He’s not a straightforward ride, but Bass has partnered him in
plenty of work at home so knows what to expect.

 

Race 9 No6 GEORGE MALLORY

Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Mr S Walker

With maximum assistance from the saddle GEORGE MALLORY has
to go well on a course that should suit his racing style. He regularly troubles
the judge, and can thread his way through this field to post an earning run,
with Dance King a probable danger.

WINDSOR

Race 3 No4 ASTAPOR (Nap)

Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand

 ASTAPOR was clueless on his first two starts but is now
getting the hang of things. He ran better than his finishing position indicates
in a warm seller at Newmarket last time, and looks the pick of the weights on
this handicap debut.

 

Race 4 No4 MILLIONAIRE WALTZ (Each Way)

Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Luke Morris

 Two visits to Leicester proved fruitless to MILLIONAIRE
WALTZ since racing resumed but on different going and a completely different
track he can raise his game. The return to a sprint distance should help him,
while first time cheek pieces could also assist his claims.

 

Race 7 No7 PERONISTA

Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Rab Havlin

Domino Dancing sets the bar for the others to aim at in this
fillies’ novice, but newcomer PERONISTA is the subject of favourable reports
and should give the Doncaster scorer plenty to think about. The selection is by
champion sprinter Muhaarar out of a mare by Selkirk. With prospects of the
ground softening, this is a positive pointer to her chance.

 

UTTOXETER

 Race 1 No1 COLLEGE OAK

Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan

COLLEGE OAK has shown the ability to win after a lengthy
break, as was the case when taking out a Sedgefield bumper last autumn. Having
placed in two subsequent outings over hurdles at Ffos Las and Wetherby he is
the form pick for this novices’ hurdle.

 

Race 2 No1 SANGHA RIVER

Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Richard Johnson

 SANGHA RIVER is one of the best horses we’ve seen in the
summer jumps period and fully expected to complete a hat-trick for his trainer,
whose Midlands stable is on fire. Since moving from Ireland he’s won a bumper
and novice hurdles at Southwell and Market Rasen. He’s achieved this with
plenty up his sleeve.

 

Race 6 No5 RED ROYALIST (Nap)

Trainer: Stuart Edmunds – Jockey: Cieren Gethings

Dual purpose horse RED ROYALIST holds the cards in this
competitive handicap hurdle. In a selective campaign he picked up novice
hurdles at Fakenham and Market Rasen and has transferred that good form to the
Flat with frame finishes in all three starts this summer. His fitness is
assured and he has scope for further progression as a jumper.