Neil Morrice shares his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket, Ascot, Fontwell Park, Wolverhampton and Redcar on 01 October 2022.
Check out Neil's video preview for Newmarket and Ascot below:
NEWMARKET
Race 1 No3 CRYSTAL ESTRELLA
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
Stoute has a good record in races for distaffers at this track which can be further strengthened when he takes the wraps off CRYSTAL ESTRELLA. The daughter of Iffraaj smoothly opened her account at Goodwood, and though experiencing issues since that May triumph might have got into this first handicap assignment on a favourable mark.
Race 2 No24 UNION COURT
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Saffie Osborne
UNION COURT brings strong form into this Sales race in which Hollywoodbets will offer extended places. The Havana Grey filly chased the shadow of The Platinum Queen at Goodwood and was not entirely disgraced in subsequent Listed races at Doncaster and Ayr. She has a form edge on most of her foes, but in a field of 29 will require luck in running.
Race 3 ROYAL BAHRAIN SUN CHARIOT STAKES (Group 1)
No3 SAFFRON BEACH (Nap)
Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam – Jockey: William Buick
All eyes will be on SAFFRON BEACH as she attempts to notch back-to-back successes in this historic Group 1. The New Bay filly is a credit to her trainer and tries to make this the third Group 1 triumph of her career. The Prix Rothschild winner (at Deauville) had to play second fiddle to Pearls Galore in the Matron at Leopardstown, but is ready to bounce back from the defeat against Guineas runner-up Prosperous Voyage and the unbeaten yet unexposed Laurel.
ASCOT
Race 2 Peroni Nastro Azzurro Cumberland Lodge Stakes (Group 3)
No1 HAMISH (Nap)
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Pat Dobbs
HAMISH tackles this feature as a fresh horse with very strong credentials behind him in just two outings in 2022. The six-year-old was too hot for Thunderous to handle on reappearance in Chester’s Ormonde Stakes, then failed by only three-quarters of a length to repel Kyprios in the Irish St Leger. For a few strides he looked to have his ultra-smart rival in trouble, and if repeating the level of that form should prove very hard to beat.
Race 3 John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes (Group 3)
No12 VADREAM (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Harry Davies
If a line is drawn through her underwhelming run in the Ayr Gold Cup, there remain good reasons to side with VADREAM to repeat her 2021 success in this race. The Brazen Beau filly had previously looked a shade unlucky not to win at Newmarket and as she normally comes to hand at this time of the season with the expectancy of cut in the ground she’s worth backing at a working man’s price. Ehraz, absent since finishing just out of the money in the Commonwealth Cup, is another long priced protagonist worth an investment.
Race 5 No4 PRIMO BACIO
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Jason Hart
Hart has been hot on his forays to ride in the South and looks to have found his way onto the back of another potential earner in PREMIO BACIO. This filly has very good form in all company from Listed to Group 1 this year. She’s had to mix it with the best of them, but regularly comes away with a cheque which should be the outcome yet again.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 4 No4 ROMANOR (Nap)
Trainer: Seamus Mullins – Jockey: Mickael Nolan
ROMANOR was far too good for his foes at Newton Abbot last week when he delivered without coming off the bridle. He’s a particularly good operator at shape tracks like today’s, and should complete a fine hat-trick as the best bet on the card.
REDCAR
Race 3 No5 DUBAI POET
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
Although he has largely frustrated his followers this year, DUBAI POET should emerge from this with an overdue win. His Group 2 second to JUMBY in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury reads well, we just need to excuse his defeat when odds-on for a Class3 handicap at Haydock last time.
Race 4 William Hill Two Year Old Trophy (Listed)
No9 WASHINGTON HEIGHTS (Each Way)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Tom Eaves
Cruelly denied in the final stride of a valuable Sales race at York, WASHINGTON HEIGHTS can put in another big earning run in the richest race run at this course. He has very good tactical speed with which to gain a handy position, and is a value option against horses like Barefoot Angel and Cold Case who should also go well.
Race 5 No 9 GIVE IT SOME TEDDY (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Duran Fentiman
Back at his favourite hunting ground, GIVE IT SOME TEDDY can gain a belated first success of the 2022 campaign. The eight-year-old didn’t find as much as it looked he would at the end of his Pontefract race two weeks ago, but might not have enjoyed the uphill finish. He’s a five times winner at this track, however, and can put his best foot forward as one of the most appealing bets of the day.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 2 No6 WHAT AN ICON (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
WHAT AN ICON has worked well ahead of this return from a short break and with an eye-taking jockey booking should get into the argument on a first handicap assignment.
Race 5 No8 SMEATON’S LIGHT
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
SMEATON’S LIGHT represents each way appeal to gain an overdue first success of the campaign. He’s still hanging on to his summer coat, worked with aplomb in midweek and can deliver a performance better than his price suggests he will.
