Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Friday's racing at Carlisle, Doncaster, Chelmsford and Wolverhampton as well as racing from Epsom which includes in-depth previews of the Investec Oaks and the Investec Coronation Cup.
Investec Oaks (Group 1) Preview
SEEING is believing on what promises to be a sun-drenched Ladies Day at Epsom tomorrow, with the hugely impressive
MEHDAAYIH heading the market in a 15-strong field for the Investec Oaks.
We can only go by the evidence of our own eyes, but the John Gosden-trained filly never gave her supporters an anxious moment when romping home in the Cheshire Oaks and at the same time looking the perfect candidate for Epsom Classic glory.
Chester form has over the years tended to stack up in both the Derby and the Oaks and Gosden clearly had that in mind when spending £30,000 to supplement Mehdaayih into the Classic.
She has trained beautifully in Newmarket since that utilisation of balance and brawn on the Roodee, and arrives with a clarion call of 'what beats me wins'.
Newmarket is strongly represented in the contest and
MAQSAD comes right into the reckoning as a clear cut victress in the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket. WIlliam Haggas's charge treated her rivals with contempt as she stretched five lengths clear and her pedigree backs up her trainer's view that she will stay.
PINK DOGWOOD challenges Mehdaayih for favouritism for Aidan O'Brien but my enthusiasm is tempered by the fact that it was in a Navan Listed race that she put in a career best effort, and although greatly appreciating this much greater test, nevertheless needs to step up if she's to win.
Many thought
FRANKELLINA to be unfortunate not to prevail in the Musidora Stakes at York. She came from a long way back in that Knavesmire trial and can't afford to be out of her ground at Epsom where horses at the front can kick away at the foot of Tattenham Hill.
Gosden fields a more than worthy second string in the form of
ANAPURNA whose Lingfield Oaks Trial triumph was decisive enough. As Lingfield is like Epsom a switchback course she seems more likely to handle the undulations than not.
Neil Morrice's Predicted Finish:
1st: MEHDAAYIH
2nd: Maqsad
3rd: Pink Dogwood
4th: Anapurna
5th: Frankellina
Investec Coronation Cup Preview
Many will look to
KEW GARDENS to give Aidan O'Brien a ninth success in this top middle-distance prize and last season's St Leger hero will be all the better for his defeat in soft ground by
MORANDO at Chester. Completely different conditions await Ryan Moore's mount, he has gone forward since that Ormonde Stakes and has an obvious chance.
For
MORANDO this is also a completely new ball game. The Chester result portrayed an improved performer but extreme ground can distort the actual value of a result and Andrew Balding's horse needs to show he can do the same on quick ground.
OLD PERSIAN finished behind Kew Gardens at Doncaster but demonstrated how much he'd thrived for being trained in the desert when quickening up to stylishly land the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan, his second success at the Carnival. Godolphin expect big things from the Charlie Appleby-trained 4yo who has James Doyle replacing the sidelined William Buick.
Forever running for place money in big races last season,
SALOUEN stayed on strangely to pick up a Listed race on his return to action. He failed by just a head in this 12 months ago and has been given a confidence boost by that Newbury triumph.
The fillies
LAH TI DAR and
CORONET give John Gosden a fertile hand to play and on Leger placings the former should be in the shake-up, having gamely landed a fillies only Group 2 on her York comeback a fortnight ago.
Coronet didn't cut much ice on her own return in a Newmarket Group 2 but could easily improve a bundle on it.
Neil Morrice's Predicted Finish:
1st: OLD PERSIAN
2nd: Kew Gardens
3rd: Lah Ti Dar
4th: Salouen
5th: Morando
Carlisle Best Bet
Race 3: TIMETODOCK (4)
Trainer: Tim Easterby
Jockey: David Allan
The blinkered
TIMETODOCK was the subject of an on-course gamble at Ripon and looked sure to oblige before hanging right from a furlong and a half out. The manoeuvre cost him more ground than the length and a half he was eventually beaten by Fairy Fast, and as long as he keeps straight compensation awaits.
Epsom Undercard Best Bets
Race 4: ELECTOR (5)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
Jockey: Ryan Moore
With Stoute doing so well with his older horses, the likelihood is that
ELECTOR has improved a good deal from age 3 to 4. He more than hinted at the prospect when gamely holding off Jazeel at the Newmarket Guineas meeting. The latter is only marginally better off and I expect Elector to confirm the placings.
Race 7: RIPP ORF (6)
Trainer: David Elsworth
Jockey: Hayley Turner
Though considered an Ascot specialist,
RIPP ORF was dropped a pound for finishing just out of the money in the Victoria Cup which was among two better races than this that he's performed with credit. He gets on well with his pilot and can swoop to conquer.
Doncaster Best Bet
Race 3: AZOR AHAI (2) (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Callum Shepherd
It's been a mixed bag from AZOR AHAI in three starts since returning from an enforced absence. He's shown the ability is still there but needs to be forgiven a disappointing display at Leicester. Shepherd has done the yard proud and can conjure the necessary improvement for a frame finish.
Chelmsford Best Bet
Race 7: ERASTUS (9)
Trainer: Ruth Carr
Jockey: Nathan Evans
The Carr horses are in particularly good order and
ERASTUS goes to post with a solid chance after troubling the judge on his first run back at Musselburgh. That was a first outing since undergoing a wind operation, it indicates the surgery has worked and he should be on the premises.
Wolverhampton Best Bet
Race 6: CRISTAL BREEZE (1)
Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: Adam Kirby
CRISTAL BREEZE looked better the further he went at Redcar, putting four and a half lengths between himself and Puzzle in the final 200 yards. That strongly suggests he's going to appreciate going 300 yards extra here, and though Sea Sculpture and Universal Effect have obvious chances Kirby's mount can emerge with another win.
