Neil Morrice outlines his best bets and tips for Friday’s British meetings at Sandown Park, Doncaster, Perth, Souuthwell and Chepstow on 22/04/2022.
SANDOWN PARK – 22/04/2022
Race 4 bet365 Mile (Group 2)
No5 ALCOHOL FREE (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Rob Hornby
Coronation and Sussex Stakes heroine ALCOHOL FREE faces better ground than for either of those Group 1 triumphs but is undoubted the class act, as she’s opposed by mainly ex handicappers. She’s ready for this seasonal return and can deliver without any fuss en route to the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot.
Race 5 bet365 Classic Trial (Group 3)
No6 RIVER THAMES
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
While O’Brien might struggle to wrestle next week’s 2,000 Guineas out of the vice-like grip of Godolphin, his middle distance three-year-olds are well worth magnification and one such individual is Churchill colt RIVER THAMES. He battled for his Punchestown success in the late summer but had developed nicely through the winter. He can make life difficult for Goldspur, who showed an appreciation for cut in the ground in his juvenile season, winding-up with a creditable third in the Criterium at Saint-Cloud.
Race 6 No3 CRYSTAL ESTRELLA (Each Way)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Crystal Ocean’s close relative CRYSTAL ETOILE failed to cut the mustard when easy to back on debut at Newmarket last autumn but the daughter of Iffraaj has blossomed through the close season. She is one for your notebook, whether it’s win, lose or draw today.
DONCASTER – 22/04/2022
Race 5 No7 BAY BREEZE (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
BAY BREEZE absolutely bolted up and was backed to do so on his seasonal return at Ripon. He carries a 6lb penalty in a quick turnaround but looked to have at least that amount in hand and is confidently expected to follow-up.
Race 8 No8 RICH KING (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: PJ McDonald
As one of the least experienced runners in this three-year-old only handicap and off bottom weight, RICH KING catches the eye. He ran well in all three career starts as a juvenile and showed himself to be effective on grass and sand. His trainer knows all about the gelding’s family, which have shown in the past to come into their own as they get older.
PERTH – 22/04/2022
Race 1 No1 KNICKERBOCKERGLORY (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
KNICKERBOCKERGLORY can further enhance the Skeltons’ great record at this course and at this fixture especially. The free-going gelding faces a dangerous rival in Fleurman, to whom he’s conceding almost a stone, but given the nonchalance of his two victories over hurdles he is expected to deliver.
Race 3 No1 POPPA POUTINE (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
POPPA POUTINE has really come into his own this year, and for a yard that excels with its runners at the track has a solid chance of taking out the featured Highland National. Interestingly the gelding is aged six the youngest member of the 15-strong party. He has shown an affinity and preference for operating right-handed, and is an athletic individual whose ability to race handily should assist his cause.
Race 5 No4 GUY
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Multiple scorer Minella Trump will occupy a large chunk of the betting handle on this handicap chase, but may have to play second fiddle to the super consistent GUY. The selection has frustratingly finished second in four of his five starts over fences this season, but can make this a first success since scoring on his chase debut at Huntingdon.
SOUTHWELL – 22/04/2022
Race 1 No1 CLEAR THE RUNWAY (Nap)
Trainer: Laura Morgan – Jockey: Adam Wedge
CLEAR THE RUNWAY was just run out of it by a 129-rated foe at Market Rasen on Sunday when a late mistake proved costly to his chance. This strong traveller has taken the exertions in his stride, and can show too much finishing kick for equally in-form Away At Dawn.
Race 2 No8 DISCKO DES PLAGES (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Hobson – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
DISCKO DES PLAGES often flatters only to deceive, which has a lot to do with his form figures of 3222-32. However, in this eight-runner field in which there should be some pace on he can record a first success in well over two years. He’s shown in two outings since undergoing a breathing op that he’s as good as ever.
Race 4 No3 THE VOLLAN
Trainer: Laura Moran – Jockey: Lewis Dobb
THE VOLLAN likes this track, posted a near miss on a recent visit and now returns to his optimum trip. All this combined makes him an attractive proposition to post a first win since joining his trainer.
CHEPSTOW – 22/04/2022
Race 2 No2 JOHNNY B (Nap)
Trainer: Chris Down – Jockey: James Davies
JOHNNY B travelled well on the pace only to fade disappointingly at Exeter earlier in the month, but is worth supporting to recover those losses now back over fences and over a considerably longer trip.
Race 4 No3 DUBLIN FOUR
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Paddy Brennan
DUBLIN FOUR looked to be travelling well within himself when unseating his pilot at Newbury last time and now has underfoot conditions in his favour. Although failing to complete in two of his four outings this season he’s usually a reliable jumper, while this track with its long home straight gives him plenty of time to hunt down his rivals.
Bet on today’s Horse Racing (22/04/2022) at www.hollywoodbets.co.uk or www.hollywoodbets.ie
