Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips coming your way from Friday’s racing at Newcastle, Market Rasen, Wolverhampton and Meydan on 19 January 2024.
MEYDAN
Race 5 COCOA BEACH FILLIES’ STAKES
No10 WILD GODDESS (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
WILD GODDESS faces a doughty foe in $200,000 purchase Manama Gold who impressed on her debut here over seven furlongs. However the presence of the latter makes the market for Charlie Appleby’s beautifully-bred daughter of Camelot. She endured a couple of blips in her juvenile season but her crushing defeat of Summit at Newmarket in the summer, and game success in one of the hottest nurseries run at HQ marks her out as the one to beat.
Race 6 CAPE VERDI FILLIES’ STAKES (Group 2)
No1 ENGLISH ROSE
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
English trainers dominate the first big race of the Dubai Carnival with Charlie Appleby fielding three of the eight-strong field, and William Haggas and Hugo Palmer one each. The best form on offer is the Sandown Group 3 in July in which MYSTIC PEARL held STENTON GLIDER.
There should again be little to split the pair although courtesy of being owned by Godolphin the former May start favourite. SHINING JEWEL was progressive in landing the last two out of just three outings in her three-year-old season but the fact that William Buick is on board ENGLISH ROSE tilts the balance towards that unbeaten daughter of Frankel. Two snug successes in novice company mean she has to improve to win this, but on the basis of her encouraging homework in preparation for this she probably has.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No3 BOWOOD (Each Way)
Trainer: Katie Scott – Jockey: Andrew Mullen
BOWOOD reacted well for a change of headgear when finishing second at Kempton on his only start this year. This admirably consistent performer has troubled the judge on five of his last six outings, and deserves a change of luck.
Race 4 No5 CRIMSON CORONET (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
Zoustar filly CRIMSON CORONET was only just out of the money when easy to back on her Kempton introduction. If making normal progression she is the one to beat in what looks a weakly contested affair.
MARKET RASEN
Race 1 No1 IDY WOOD (Nap)
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
IDY WOOD’s third in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham sets him apart from the others in this novices’ hurdle. While he’s been a consistent earner his opponents are largely out of sorts, making him banker material.
Race 2 No9 CHRONOS (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Rex Dingle
CHRONOS has started at odds ranging from 28-1 to 200-1 in eight starts but now returns not far short of a year since his last run. A very well-bred individual, he’s carded to start the rank outsider for this novices’ limited handicap hurdle but is worth a speculative bet to get into the shake-up.
Race 3 No5 KILFILUM WOODS (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Brendan Powell
From the same stable, KILFILUM WOODS is not without ability. He’s earned on five occasions and can claim a cheque at long odds for owner Martin Hughes.
Race 4 No2 SHAN BLUE
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
SHAN BLUE failed to finish on his first two starts this season but raised his game when third in a blanket finish at Ascot before Christmas. The addition of cheekpieces appeared to galvanise this mercurial performer, who if back to anywhere near his best can take care of business.
Race 7 No5 NO REGRETS
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
In a very tight contest, NO REGRETS can serve it up to his mainly younger rivals. All but one of his runs over fences have been on left-handed courses, but he’s also earned going this way round, while his trainer has his handicap chasers in very good order.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 3 No10 BEAUTY CHOICE (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Easterby – Jockey: Joanna Mason
BEAUTY CHOICE is a dual scorer here who since having his attention turned to the all-weather has been a regular earner. He’s well-drawn and can give paper favourite Al Farabi plenty to think about.
Race 4 No7 SEA THE BUCKTHORN
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
From a stable whose all-weather runners have been acquitting themselves well, SEA THE BUCKTHORN is one of the best bets of the day. He narrowly failed to land a gamble when involved in a blanket finish at Kempton, and can now post an overdue first career triumph.
