Neil Morrice outlines his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s British meetings at Chester, Newton Abbot, Kelso, Fontwell Park and Kempton Park on 04/05/2022.
CHESTER – 04/05/2022
Race 3 No5 MOON DE VEGA (Each Way)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rob Hornby
From a yard that regularly finds an Oaks contender, MOON DE VAGA can run above her place in the market in this traditional trial for that Epsom Classic. The daughter of Lope De Vega should enjoy a good trip after breaking from the favoured rail, and can endorse the promise shown with her final outing success from last year, at Doncaster.
Race 4 Boodles Chester Vase (Group 3)
No4 NEW LONDON
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
If there’s a Derby prospect in this small field it is surely NEW LONDON, who can stretch his unbeaten sequence to three in the Godolphin silks. The Dubawi colt greatly impressed in the manner that he dispatched Aldous Huxley in a Newmarket novice, and should relish the step up to a mile and a half.
Race 6 No4 BERKSHIRE BREEZE
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
Balding rarely leaves the Roodee empty handed, and his ace card today could be BERKSHIRE BREEZE, who wasn’t beaten far by the much vaunted Natural World at Newbury. Out of a mare by Camelot, he’s bred to enjoy this step up the distance scale.
Race 7 No11 SMEATON’S LIGHT (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
SMEATON’S LIGHT made a good fist of things on his seasonal return at Leicester, only to succumb to Castana Dia in a desperate finish. Crucial to his chance today is that he’s bagged a gate position his trainer would have picked himself, and one that should assist him being close the the pace and in a position to attack rounding the turn into the short home straight.
NEWTON ABBOT – 04/05/2022
Race 2 No1 ROUGE VIF (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
ROUGE VIF is conceding weight to three capable foes but can make his class tell in what amounts to a drop in grade for champion trainer Nicholls. He couldn’t cut the mustard against stablemate Greaneteen in the Celebration Chase at Sandown, but ran well for a long way on what was only his fourth outing of the season, and he remains a fresh horse.
Race 4 No6 GREYSTOKE
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Tom Cannon
GREYSTOKE hasn’t looked a natural by any means in two outings over hurdles so far, but the Sixties Icon colt traded very short in running when last seen at Hereford, and can improve sufficiently to open his account.
Race 6 No3 SEDDON
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Adrian Heskin
Former smart bumper horse SEDDON has carved out a good season for his owners and was as game as a pebble switched to fences over a shorter trip at this course last month. He’s taken the race well and may outpoint Romain De Senam in a race the pair can dominate.
KELSO – 04/05/2022
Race 2 No4 GOODTIMES BADTIMES (Nap)
Trainer: Sandy Thomson – Jockey: Ryan Mania
GOODTIMES BADTIMES is a bet I’m looking forward to in this long distance handicap hurdle. His trait of not finding as much off the bridle as it seems he will has helped keep his mark at a workable level, and with plenty of pace in the contest he should be able to settle and travel. His chance will increase if he’s delivered with his challenge not until approaching the final flight.
Race 3 No6 SPANISH PRESENT
Trainer: Martin Keighley – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Irish raider Bravo Team is respected, but may find the concession of 7lb to SPANISH PRESENT beyond him. The selection lacks the experience over jumps of his foe, but has jumped well at home. He’s by Presenting and will love the drying ground.
FONTWELL PARK – 04/05/2022
Race 1 No3 COAL STOCK (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Harry Kimber
Tizzard wasted no time in getting off the mark as a fully licensed trainer when scoring with Slate House on Monday. Now COAL STOCK can follow suit on debut for the rookie. The Nap trotted up At Chepstow last month, and has freshness on his side as he embarks on a summer jumps campaign.
Race 4 No1 STEADY AWAY (Each Way)
Trainer: Miss Martin – Jockey: David Prichard
Not to be dismissed lightly in this competitive handicap hurdle is top weight STEADY AWAY. Although a long-standing maiden the selection has run several good races in better company, and deserves to get off the mark.
Race 5 No1 JUNIPER
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
JUNIPER to beat Ballycamus is the way this novices’ handicap hurdle could unfold. Ballycamus races off a 6lb higher mark than when scoring at Hereford but could easily have improved by more. Juniper jumped beautifully when delivering over fences at Warwick before refusing to race at Worcester. She’s not likely to be inconvenienced having her attention switched to hurdles.
KEMPTON PARK – 04/05/2022
Race 1 No1 BEAUTIFUL EYES (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Joe Fanning
Impressive Ayr scorer BEAUTIFUL EYES should know too much for her opponents on this switch to Polytrack and can remain unbeaten. She’s bred to enjoy the surface and has worked well,on it at home.
Race 7 No2 CARLOS FELIX
Trainer: Phil Kirby – Jockey: Ryan Sexton
At the end of the card CARLOS FELIX can prove a nice leaving present. He’s hit the woodwork in consecutive outings on Tapeta and should go be better if staying an additional half mile in this stamina test.
Bet on today’s Horse Racing (04/05/2022) at www.hollywoodbets.co.uk or www.hollywoodbets.ie
