Neil Morrice provides us with his best bets and tips for Thursday’s race meetings at Glorious Goodwood, Galway, Epsom Downs and Salisbury on 28/07/2022.
GLORIOUS GOODWOOD – 28/07/2022
Race 1 No12 VEE SIGHT
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
MIGDAM has to enter calculations but has suffered from broken blood vessels. As that makes him a slightly risky proposition VEE SIGHT is preferred.
The Churchill gelding gained a clear cut success when making his handicap bow at Sandown and gets in off a handy mark.
He must hold a big earning chance if overcoming a less than ideal high draw.
Race 2 Richmond Stakes (Group 2)
No7 ROYAL SCOTSMAN (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Jim Crowley
ROYAL SCOTSMAN put in a mighty effort when third in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, having previously opened his account in the most taking fashion over this course and distance.
The Gleneagles colt will step up to seven furlongs before the end of the season, but has shown so much speed in his work that he can operate effectively over six in the meantime.
The best horse his trainer has handled for several years, he is my idea of the best bet at the meeting and nothing but a win will do.
Race 4 John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes (Group 3)
No8 NEW LONDON
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
Godolphin like to showcase their St Leger possibles in this recognised trial for the Final Classic and NEW LONDON can cement his position as a leading light for Doncaster.
He took out a well subscribed handicap in impressive fashion at the Newmarket July meeting and was possibly unsuited by the twists and turns of Chester when losing his unbeaten record in the Chester Vase.
The son of Dubawi has German blood on the dam’s side of his pedigree, bringing into play stamina and the ability to enjoy cut in the ground should it rain.
GRAND ALLIANCE is an underrated type that should also earn, while AL QAREEM is an attractive player at a bigger price.
Race 4 QATAR NASSAU STAKES (Group 1)
No4 VILLE DE GRACE (Each Way)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Tom Marquand
The Ladies’ Day highlight can see VILLE DE GRACE cutting the mustard for a trainer/jockey combo already on the winners board here this week.
There isn’t much of the daughter of Le Havre but she is all heart. Unlucky to be chinned on her reappearance in the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket, she’s better than she showed when only fourth in a York Group 2 and can turn the tables on her conqueror LILAC ROAD, while staving off the challenge of paper favourite NASHWA.
Race 5 No5 SELF PRAISE (Each Way)
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Harry Burns
SELF PRAISE has his tail up after impressively ending a sequence of near misses at Chester. The son of Twilight Son had earlier run into some smart types, and of the leading lights in this hot handicap is the most likely to reproduce his form.
SEDUCTIVE POWER should also go into the mix as he hails from a stable with a good record in this race, while top weight TRUE STATESMAN also needs respecting in his hat-trick bid for the Johnston/Moore combo.
Race 6 No5 SWAYZE
Trainer: William Muir – Jockey: Rab Havlin
Showcasing colt SWAYZE opened his seasonal account with a narrow margin delivery over SIR HENRY COTTON at Haydock. There’s little between them on revised terms but I expect SWAYZE to make another step forward and follow-up.
Top weight NAVELLO isn’t out of it either, and can get into the shake-up.
Race 7 No7 LUCKIN BREW
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Ryan Moore
LUCKIN BREW made a good fist of it to run Alseyoob to hand a length on a very pleasing introduction at Newmarket.
The Lope De Vega filly will need a sharp exit from the stalls from her wide draw, but if managing that has the wherewithal to open her account at the main expense of ZARGA, for whom this trip may be on the short side, and SPARKLING BEAUTY.
GALWAY – 28/07/2022
Race 3 No7 PLUNKETT (Each Way)
Trainer: Pat Flynn – Jockey: Billy Lee
PLUNKETT is a name to conjure with in this mile handicap granted the manner of his recent success in an apprentices’ race at Leopardstown.
That was his second triumph from four starts in 2022 while he put in big earning runs in the other two. He brings a consistency card to the table that can again help him into the money.
Race 4 No12 NECTARIS (Nap)
Trainer: Jessica Harrington – Jockey: Shane Foley
Sea The Moon filly NECTARIS needs to go forward from her draw, but that could be the best way to play it is this wickedly competitive Listed contest.
The recent evidence suggests she’s never been better, as after taking out a Curragh handicap she picked up black type at Longchamp and then went down by a paper-thin margin to Marbling in a Group 3 at Fairyhouse.
A repeat of either of those last two efforts would see her go close.
Race 6 GUINNESS GALWAY HURDLE
No6 PARTY CENTRAL (Each Way)
Trainer: Gordon Elliott – Jockey: Davy Russell
PARTY CENTRAL has twice under Elliott’s tutoring shown an ability to run well when returning from a break, factors that can prove keynote to her chances of taking out the day’s feature.
The Yeats mare landed the odds in cosy fashion on her debut for the trainer at Listowel last September, and was in equally good spirits for her first outing of 2022, scoring easily in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown.
She was also a clear cut scorer when last seen at Punchestown in the spring, and appears to have been meticulously laid out for this one target.
SANTA ROSSA has a very appealing win to run record for trainer Dermot McLaughlin and this daughter of Jeremy can help make it an all distaffer finish.
ADAMANTLY CHOSEN could prove the pick of the Willie Mullins runners, while if Tony Martin can keep TUDOR CITY’s mojo alight this veteran may also take home a cheque.
Prediction: 1st PARTY CENTRAL, 2nd Santa Rossa, 3rd Adamantly Chosen, 4th Tudor City
Race 7 No11 DAMMIT (Each Way)
Trainer: Luke Comer – Jockey: Declan McDonagh
DAMMIT has been given kid glove handling by his astute trainer, leaving me with the impression that this could be D-Day for him.
He’s not done much wrong in a select campaign since scoring at Dundalk in March, but there were some lasting clues to suggest he’s on the cusp of a return to winning ways in his third placing at Leopardstown earlier in the month.
He has a decent draw and has a big earning chance.
EPSOM DOWNS – 28/07/2022
Race 2 No5 EAGLE COURT (Each Way)
Trainer: Tom Ward – Jockey:
EAGLE COURT put in his best run of the year and best for his new trainer when equipped with cheek pieces in the Pontefract race won by Wor Willie. He stayed on into the money when the birds had flown, and in order to be successful tonight probably needs to be ridden closer to the pace.
SALISBURY – 28/07/2022
Race 4 No1 RUN TO FREEDOM (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Dane O’Neill
RUN TO FREEDOM skipped the ultra competitive July Cup to wait for this more straightforward assignment. He has the beating of his two foes on the ratings and should make short work of them en route to a return to richer pickings.
Bet on today’s (28/07/2022) horse racing at www.hollywoodbets.co.uk or www.hollywoodbets.ie
