Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Saturday's racing at York, Bath, Chester and Sandown as well as an n-depth preview of the Pavers Foundation Catherine Memorioal Sprint Handicap.
York Best Bets
Pavers Foundation Catherine Memorial Sprint Handicap (Class 2)
Unquestionably the betting highlight of the weekend, this race often throws up a sprinter that is better than a handicapper and today's renewal looks like being no exception.
DAZZLING DAN tops the market and is the type of progressive individual that could be the answer. He opened his account for the season in an identical race at the Newmarket Guineas meeting and has been a springer in the ante-post book for trainer Pam Sly.
MORAAWED has work to do to overturn Newmarket placings with Dazzling Dan, having finished more than two lengths adrift of him in fourth. However, he came from a long way back to finish best of all, and now enjoys a 4lb pull with the addition of first-time blinkers.
Top weight is unlikely to prevent
BLOWN BY WIND from having a say for Mark Johnston as this one drops back into the sprinting division off a couple of near misses. He met a well-handicapped foe in Awe over seven at Newmarket a week ago, where he made a good fist of trying to make all.
William Haggas has an unexposed protagonist in
VICTORY DAY who opened his account doing handstands in a Ripon maiden last month. How good this colt is difficult to assess, but my informant at Summerville Lodge has encouraged me to get on.
RATHBONE, named after the actor that played Sherlock Holmes, seeks to complete a hat-trick for Kevin Ryan and if a high draw is favoured he has to figure. He's clearly benefitted from a gelding operation and is very closely matched with Blown By Wind on Leicester form.
Of those at bigger odds a good case can be made for
COSMIC LAW who only just gave best to Lihou at Chester and will handle the cut in the ground.
Nothing has gone right for
BARBILL so far this season, but though finishing last but one he wasn't beaten that far in a Listed race at Maisons-Laffitte, won by Eagleway.
Neil Morrice's Predicted Finish:
1st VICTORY DAY
2nd Rathbone
3rd Moraawed
4th Dazzling Dan
5th Barbill
Race 3: MEKONG (7) (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Stoute has proved time and again that he is the master at improving a horse and
MEKONG is a case in point, having started handicapping off a mark of 85 and now looking gilt-edged to take this Listed race on the way to better things. In spite of experiencing traffic problems, he managed to get within a length and threequarters of Dee Ex Bee in a Group 3 at Sandown and now takes a drop in class. He's been working out of his skin at home.
Bath Best Bets
Race 2: STAR ALEXANDER (10)
Trainer: Clive Cox
Jockey: Adam Kirby
STAR ALEXANDER had shown plenty at home and started favourite on her Ascot debut only to run into the smart Final Song who is going to Royal Ascot. She's delighted her connections in the interim and should take full advantage of what is a class drop.
Race 4: MEDIEVAL (8)
Trainer: Paul Cole
Jockey: Raul Da Silva
I suspect there will be money for Power Of Darkness in this feature but
MEDIEVAL represents the value play and can come good. He failed to pick up running out of the Dip at Newmarket last time but is better than he showed. He has a good opportunity to prove the point and can.
Chester Best Bets
Race 4: ANGEL ALEXANDER (6)
Trainer: Tom Dascombe
Jockey: Jane Elliott
When Dascombe brings a 3yo to his local track in the same form as
ANGEL ALEXANDER it's wise to take notice. My selection benefitted from as astute tactical ride to make a beeline for the far rail and come home unchallenged at Windsor and can successfully step up the ladder under a 6lb penalty in this Class 3.
Race 5: DARK DEVIL (6)
Trainer: Richard Fahey
Jockey: C Murtagh
With Aiya likely to set a strong pace the stage is set for the well treated
DARK DEVIL to rise to the occasion. The grey might have won at Beverley last time had he been ridden closer to the pace and I fancy his apprentice pilot will keep the leader in his sights around these sharp bends and try to pounce late.
Sandown Best Bets
Race 3: THRAVE (9)
Trainer: Henry Candy
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Candy makes it tricky running Greenside as well as
THRAVE in a race both can win.
There's not much between them in the betting and the same could be true in the race itself, but I prefer Thrave. He didn't do himself any favours by running keenly with his tongue out at Newbury, then found himself sandwiched between horses in the final furlong. His rider did well to get his stick through when headed, and in another three strides my selection would have beaten Brendon. THRAVE has few miles on the clock, should handle the ground and deserves another chance.
Race 7: C'EST NO MOUR (4)
Trainer: Peter Hedger
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Let's hope it ends up being a good day for Marquand for whom Hedger snapped up for
C'EST NO MOUR. The selection knocked on the door for the second time in as many outings at Newmarket last month, signalling with his second there to Hameem that there's a race to be won with him soon.
