Neil Morrice provides us with his best bets and tips for this Saturday’s racing taking place at Ascot, Chester and Newmarket on 02/10/2021.
ASCOT – 02/10/2021
Race 3 ABF/BGC Cumberland Lodge Stakes ( Group 3)
No1 HUKUM (Nap)
Trainer: Owen Burrows – Jockey: Jim Crowley
HUKUM is best forgiven his odds-on defeat in the September Stakes at Kempton and rates the best bet on this card. Both a switch onto Polytrack combined with a muddling pace brought about the downfall of this long striding, rangy individual.
Previously he’d looked every inch a horse to stay with when taking out the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury. He faces strong competition from the talented Title, who receives 9lb, but may have too much conviction for that younger foe should they engage in a battle.
Race 4 John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes (Group 3)
No13 VADREAM (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: David Egan
Three-year-old filly VADREAM appeals as one of the best bets of the day after being unlucky not to pick up a Pattern race this season. The strong traveller hasn’t had things drop right in Group 3s at York, Goodwood and Deauville and will win when she enjoys the rub of the green.
With the likes of Great Ambassador, Bielsa and Tabdeed in opposition she will go off at a price, making her a mouth-watering each way proposition.
Race 5 No2 ESCOBAR (Each Way)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
Another that needs everything to drop right. ESCOBAR can have a major say in the outcome of this fiercely-competitive handicap. You have to go back two years to spot his last win, but he is going to enjoy the way this race is run, and under a trademark late bid can swoop to conquer.
CHESTER – 02/10/2021
Race 4 No3 FLYING WEST (Nap)
Trainer: James Fanshawe – Jockey: Adam Farragher
FLYING WEST ran into one in Spirit Of The Bay at Sandown, but in chasing that one home by a narrowing neck showed she is on the cusp of a return to winning ways. This looks a perfect opportunity to get her career back on track.
Race 7 No4 LIFE ON THE ROCKS
Trainer: Richard Fahey – Jockey: Tony Hamilton
As long as they go a good lick, LIFE ON THE ROCKS can belatedly open his account on this third outing for his trainer. The selection ran into the progressive Barn Owl at Beverley last time and shouldn’t find anything quite of that ilk lurking to hunt him down.
NEWMARKET – 02/10/2021
Race 3 No1 FEARBY (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Ryan Moore
The big Sales race can see FEARBY outclassing his foes in what is a class drop for the Havana Gold colt. Placed in the Molecomb, Gimcrack and Mill Reef on his last three outings, Fearby has the points on the board to make this a welcome return to the winners’ circle.
Race 4 KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN SUN CHARIOT STAKES (Group 1)
No12 SNOW LANTERN – 02/10/2021
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
The undoubted highlight of today’s action in Britain can go to SNOW LANTERN. Unlike all but two of her dozen rivals she is already a Group 1 winner, having taken out the Falmouth Stakes at the July meeting here.
Also placed in Group 1s at Ascot and Goodwood, the grey latterly troubled the judge when fourth to Baaeed in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp and is the complete package. Mother Earth enters calculations as the winner of the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville but has work to do to turn round the Falmouth form with the selection.
She does however look nailed on for a collection of some kind and needs to go into all exotics. No Speak Alexander took out the Matron at Leopardstown after flopping in the Marois and is more likely to get into the shake-up than many, while Fev Rover appeals as the best of the roughies and can also earn.
Race 6 No2 NELL QUICKLY
Trainer: Denis Coakley – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
On a card in which distaffers take centre stage, NELL QUICKLY can give her trainer a biggest pay day of the season. The daughter of The Gurkha has gone from strength to strength, and after outpointing the useful Maytal at Salisbury last time can complete a fine hat-trick.
Race 7 No6 CASTANA DIA
Trainer: Chris Wall – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
This all-aged fillies’ spring is packed with three-year-olds, of whom CASTANA DIA can emerge triumphant. The daughter of Dandy Man has earned in all but one of her eight career starts, and though meeting her match in Media Guest at Yarmouth last time is fully capable of bouncing back as she’s got plenty of scope.
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Neil Morrice provides you with his best bets and tips for racing on 02/10/2021.