Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket, Goodwood, Cheltenham and Newcastle on 3 May 2024.
NEWMARKET
Race 3 No3 THUNDER BALL (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Alec Voikhansky
THUNDER BALL would be a deserving winner of this Class2 granted how well he’s performed on each of his starts in similar company this year. The chestnut wasn’t far out of the money in the Lincoln, and stepped up on that to claim a minor cheque in the Spring Cup at Newbury. That’s very good form to bring to the table in a race in which DARK THIRTY and NOBLE DYNASTY can also trouble the judge.
Race 4 No6 QUEEN OF ZAFEEN (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Hughes – Jockey: Ryan Moore
QUEEN OF ZAFEEN is carded to have a few of these ahead of her in the betting, which may prove a mistake by the book. The Ten Sovereigns filly lost her unbeaten record at Lingfield but with her sex allowance, trademark turn of foot and Ryan Moore to bring to the table can swoop to conquer up the rising ground to the line.
Race 5 WILLIAM HILL JOCKEY CLUB STAKES (Group 2)
No1 ASTRO KING
Trainer: Daniel Kubler – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
ASTRO KING was always well regarded when with his previous trainer, and hasn’t done much wrong since joining Kubler. The Kingman gelding is at the age of seven a late developer, but having taken out the Cambridgeshire last September is showing further progression, as demonstrated by his very good second to Ottoman Fleet in the Earl Of Sefton Stakes at the Craven meeting.
Race 6 No7 VOLTERRA (Each Way)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Neil Callan
Named after the charismatic owner Leon Volterra, VOLTERRA looks one to back on his reappearance in this three-year-old-only handicap. The son of Farhh travelled like a dream before opening his account at Redcar. He’s wintered well, and is definitely one to follow whatever happens today.
GOODWOOD
Race 2 No1 RATHGAR
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
RATHGAR should make up into a very good stayer this summer. He’s strengthened up and after a pleasing first run back when claiming a minor cheque on the all-weather at Chelmsford is cherry ripe, and strongly fancied to get the job done.
Race 5 No3 DESPERATE HERO (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
DESPERATE HERO was a dual scorer with Tom Marquand in his saddle last season and once under Hollie Doyle, on each occasion showing a liking for racing apart from his rivals. Probert has been seen to good effect on the Channon handicappers in the early weeks of the current campaign, and can guide the grey home. My Nap needed his first run back at Bath, and will relish the cut in the ground accentuated by thunderstorms yesterday.
Race 6 No4 SHOW BIZ KID (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Pat Dobbs
SHOW BIZ KID was no match for Portsmouth when the pair returned to action at Epsom last month, but the former now enjoys a swing in the weights. The selection has come on for that needed run, and can turn the tables.
CHELTENHAM
Race 1 No2 FIER JAGUEN
Trainer: Bradley Gibbs – Jockey: Mr Bradley Gibbs
FIER JAGUEN got the better of a good tussle with Caryto Des Brosses in this race 12 months ago and this prolific point and hunter-chase winner can deal out a similar display, having come on for his run in a point three weeks ago.
Race 3 No10 YIPPEE KI YAY
Trainer: Mrs Nickie Sheppard – Jockey: Mr Milo Herbert
As one of the youngest in this Open race YIPEE KI YAY takes the eye. He’s demonstrated his prowess in the hunter division with a win and a second at Exeter, and should have more to offer. He’s by Shirocco, whose progeny love to get their feet into the ground, while he’s shown he can act on an undulating track.
Race 5 No1 REGATTA DE BLANC (Nap)
Trainer: William Biddick – Jockey: Mr William Biddick
REGATTA DE BLANC is also bred to enjoy the likely easy underfoot conditions and in spite of leaving the money behind against Secret Investor at Newbury carries maximum confidence to post in this mares’ only contest. She’s a mainly good jumper and will get the best assistance from the saddle.
Race 6 No12 PERFECT PIRATE (Each Way)
Trainer: Laura Morgan – Jockey: Mr Sean O’Connor
The United Hunts card ends with a fiercely competitive four-miler in which at forecast tasty odds PERFECT PIRATE can do well. He’s been successful in one of three points since leaving Ben Pauling and remains in the ownership of that trainer’s wife. If anywhere near his paper price (20-1) he’s worth chancing.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No4 VISITANT (Each Way)
Trainer: David Thompson – Jockey: William Pyle
VISITANT is an infrequent winner, but having run into the money on a first outing of 2024 is now fitter, and can claim a cheque of some kind on terrain where he scored on his first ever race, and on two subsequent occasions.
Race 4 No4 TEST OF LOVE (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
While a market check is advised on Lincoln’s Inn, TEST OF LOVE has the mark of a Prescott ‘special’. Rather than run the gelding over a longer trip on his handicap debut, the trainer pulled him back to this 1200 metres distance over which he finished second at Pontefract. Bred to stay middle distances, the Nap could be a freak, and is strongly fancied to go one better.
Race 5 No4 DAWN OF LIBERATION
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Joanna Mason
Carr is doing well with cast offs from other stables and DAWN OF LIBERATION can take out this 1400 metres handicap on a fourth run for her. The selection has earned in each of his previous 2024 starts, and is ready to convert.
