Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Lingfield Park, Pontefract, Brighton, and Uttoxeter on 9 July 2024.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 3 No9 NEVER DREAM
Trainer: Marcus Tregoning – Jockey: Dougie Costello
NEVER DREAM has looked a different horse since entering the handicap arena, posting a narrow success at Goodwood before chasing home New Kings Road at Salisbury. The form has held up, making the Showcasing gelding the one to be on getting weights from all his foes.
Race 4 No3 SUGERLOAF LENNY (Nap)
Trainer: William Knight – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
SUGARLOAF LENNY opened his account on a final start in his juvenile season at this course and has earned on both sand and turf this season. Beaten in photos on each of his last two outings, he can now get the job done.
Race 5 No5 RING OF LIGHT (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
RING OF LIGHT landed an all-weather hat trick on his final outings of the 2022 campaign before going onto the sidelines, and improved from race to race this season until his latest start at Kempton. However, although finishing in the ruck that day the grey proved easy to back, and was beaten under four lengths. Carded to again go off as one of the roughies, he can run better than his price indicates and get into the shake-up.
PONTEFRACT
Race 2 No5 JAMES WEBB (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
JAMES WEBB has run into a couple of useful opponents on his last two outings and deserves a change of luck. He’s well drawn on a stiff track that should suit his style of racing, and can take the spoils in the famous Niarchos colours.
Race 3 No2 CAERNARFON (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand
CAERNARFON is a filly I’m very interested in now her trainer brings her back to a mile. It’s the first time she’s run over the trip since finishing fourth in last season’s 1,000 Guineas, while reflecting on her run at Haydock last time it’s what she’s been looking for. Nothing was travelling better at the quarter pole but her stamina gave out. In this warm looking Listed feature she can get the better of Royal Ascot winner Doha.
Race 6 No5 POET’S DAWN (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
POET’S DAWN may be the old man of the party, but the nine-year-old makes plenty of appeal following an eye-taking run at Beverley which was his best of the season. He’s well drawn, and though an infrequent winner this could be his day.
Race 7 No5 SOUND REASON (Each Way)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
Cavalier Approach and Protest Rally occupied first and second over this course and distance last week, and there again shouldn’t be much between them. Better value however can be obtained from SOUND REASON, who in my estimation has got himself very well handicapped. The six-year-old absolutely flew in that same race to finish just out of the money, and from his draw on the rail just needs luck in running to gain a first success since joining his trainer.
BRIGHTON
Race 4 No2 SHALFA (Nap)
Trainer: Lydia Richards – Jockey: Neil Callan
SHALFA was a willing scorer over Uncle Dick here last month while the latter boosted the form with a subsequent victory. On revised ratings Shalfa can confirm her superiority and post a popular success for her local connections.
UTTOXETER
Race 3 No2 GET UP MUSH (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
GET UP MUSH started to make up for lost time when successfully returning from wind surgery. He was a cosy though narrow winner on that second start in a handicap and with room for further improvement can defy a 5lb rise in the weights.
Race 4 No12 KITESURFER
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
KITESURFER looked like a horse that had turned a corner when coming home unchallenged on his latest start at Fontwell. The five-year-old is at the right end of the age scale to consolidate on that effort, and take advantage of the weight concession he receives from his rivals.
Race 7 No4 DOUBLE OBAN
Trainer: Ollie Murphy – Jockey: Sean Bowen
DOUBLE OBAN was a strong stayer on the Flat and has taken that asset into jumping with earning efforts in each of his two starts under Rules. He’s an unexposed novice going into a handicap for the first time, but needs respecting and can take away another cheque in this second division of the two-mile handicap hurdle.
