Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Pontefract, Worcester, Wolverhampton and Windsor on 1 July 2024.
PONTEFRACT
Race 2 No3 SOUND REASON (Each Way)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
SOUND REASON has indicated with a couple of frame finishes that he’s now settled into his new surroundings with O’Meara. Operating out of the bottom level of the handicap division for the first time in his career, he has to be of interest, and can make this a first success in almost a year.
Race 3 No1 ARDEUR (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
ARDEUR has helped give rookie stallion Kameko a bright start to his career at stud and looks the answer to this well-contested novice. She was a wide margin scorer over the course and distance last month and granted normal progression she can make light of her penalty, and follow-up.
Race 4 No6 OLD COCK
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
OLD COCK defends a two-race unbeaten record of grass after odds-on triumphs at Ayr and Haydock. He drops back in trip in this all-aged mile handicap but it can prove an advantage to him and he’s very much the one to beat.
WORCESTER
Race 2 No5 ALMAZHAR GARDE (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
A change of tactics have assisted ALMAZHAR GARDE who off a hold-up ride scored with plenty in hand at Bangor. The nine-year-old looked completely assured and his form figures since O’Brien has taken the reins reads 222-1. It’s the veteran’s first visit to this course, but it should suit his style of racing.
Race 3 No5 ALL IN HAND
Trainer: Peter Bowen – Jockey: Sean Bowen
ALL IN HAND claimed a minor cheque in a pleasing first visit to the track at Uttoxeter. The daughter of Pether’s Moon will have learned plenty from that experience to give her the whip hand over Hola Hermosa.
Race 5 No5 PRIVATE PIKE (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: James Turner
PRIVATE PIKE is carded to go off as one of the roughies but could make an impact in this long-distance handicap hurdle. The six-year-old hasn’t shown much in five starts but it’s early days for him, as he may well have benefitted from a six-month break, while this is only his second run in handicap company.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 4 No9 GOBLET OF FIRE (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Tommie Jakes
GOBLET OF FIRE did us a good turn when scoring at Kempton last month which was a fourth success from his last five outings on the Flat. The four-year-old has his burden eased by the 5lb claim of his apprentice rider and looks sure to give it another good shot in the colours of The King.
WINDSOR
Race 1 No5 PORT HEDLAND
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
PORT HEDLAND qualified for a mark when just out of the money as a 125-1 no-hoper at Kempton last autumn. He returns in this new sphere off what could be a very workable mark, and is fancied to repel the challenge of long-distance traveller Make It Easy.
Race 3 No6 BESET (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
Expert Eye filly BESET put in a taking first run on turf when claiming a minor cheque at this course in the spring. She’s been given plenty of time to develop, and can make it a good night for her trainer by opening her account in colours the Candy stable has excelled with over the years.
Race 6 No1 MUJID
Trainer: Joe Tickle – Jockey: Taylor Fisher
MUJID can repeat his 2023 success in this bottom-tier handicap. The Frankel gelding claimed a first subsequent win when accounting for The Conqueror back here last month, and though higher in the weights is in great heart, and can add to his very good record at the riverside venue.
