Neil Morrice walks you through the front runners for Saturday’s racing at Hereford, Ayr and Wolverhampton. This will include the feature race analysis for the Bombardier British Hopped Amber Beer Lady Wulfruna Stakes (Listed).
Bombardier British Hopped Amber Beer
Lady Wulfruna Stakes (Listed)
URBAN ICON takes the eye as a horse that can go well after a break. He won on his debut as a juvenile and wasn’t beaten far on his seasonal reappearance last year, making a 240-day lay off much less daunting. He then posted some good efforts which included finishing eighth in the 2,000 Guineas and fourth to Space Traveller in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. His trainer Richard Hannon reports him to be near 100%, and that will do for me.
One to put in swingers and exactas is STRAIGHT RIGHT who has a good draw and was unlucky at Newcastle last time. In that Class 2 he was hampered throughout the final furlong and was unlucky not to win. Owing to the interference he finished seventh of the 14 starters, but beaten only two and a half lengths.
HABUB was too free for his own good at Lingfield last time and there’s no wonder trainer Owen Burrows equips him with a hood. You can put a line through that run, and have him on the shortlist.
Mark Johnston fields three of the 10 starters, the most interesting being MARIE’S DIAMOND. She won at this level before being pulled up at Salisbury, but has recovered from that setback. She’s capable of getting into the shake-up and is preferred to stablemates CARDSHARP and BLOWN BY WIND.
GLEN SHIEL and GULLIVER need to turn up with the ‘G’ factor, but while both should go well they might be looking at place money rather than the main pot.
Prediction
1st URBAN ICON
2nd Straight Right
3rd Habub
4th Marie’s Diamond
5th Glen Shiel
Wolverhampton Undercard Best Bets
Race 1: RED BOND (9)
Trainer: Keith Dalgliesh – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
If RED BOND is a book that can be judged by its cover then he has a good chance of successfully progressing up the class ladder in this Class 2. When absolutely bolting up over this course and distance in January he earned a 13lb hike in the ratings but in spite of this being a very warm opener he might be up to the task.
Race 5: WIGHTMAN (10) (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: George Bass
From a stable that is amongst the winners, WIGHTMAN can go well on his handicap bow. As a 2yo was unable to show on the track the same level of ability as at home but he’s matured both physically and mentally and can reward Each Way support.
Race 6: STEELRIVER (5)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Tom Eaves
Having run out a facile winner of a seller over this course and distance STEELRIVER now has his tail up and the 10-year-old can cope with the move into a Class 5. For a hold up horse he has a good draw from which to obtain a trouble free passage, and can swoop to conquer in the short home straight.
Hereford Best Bets
Race 1: CHAZZA (4)
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass
Former Irish point-to-pointer CHAZZA made a perfect start for his new trainer when decisively landing a bumper at Bangor. He did this in spite of taking a keen hold and burning up energy unnecessarily. He’s schooled well for this novices’ hurdle and can beat the penalised Northofthewall.
Race 5: BUTTER HILL BORIS (1)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Horses with the name ‘Boris’ have been topically successful this week and let’s hope ex pointer BUTTER HILL BORIS can back up the trend. He was a beaten favourite in the three mile maiden at Larkhill back in January but has shown enough since going to a professional trainer to cause problems to his foes.
Ayr Best Bets
Race 2: CLAN LEGEND (4)
Trainer: Nick Alexander – Jockey: Lucy Alexander
Course specialist CLAN LEGEND ran a cracker when second to prolific scorer Nuts Well at Wetherby and holds very strong claims stepping back to the minimum distance. At his best he’s a lot better than the horses that take him on in this and he should be backed to confirm that view.
Check out Neil Morrice’s best bets and tips at Meydan –> http://ow.ly/qTTG50yF5Ac
