Neil Morrice outlines his best bets and tips for Friday’s British meetings at Newmarket, Goodwood, Cheltenham, Newcastle and Wolverhampton on 29/04/2022.
NEWMARKET – 29/04/2022
Race 2 No1 AUSTRIAN THEORY
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Joe Fanning
Carded to go off the outsider of four, AUSTRIAN THEORY can provide an early shock in this Listed prize. He wasn’t beaten far when third to the impressive Eydonin a similar race at the Craven meeting, and has learned much from that.
Race 5 Betfair Exchange Jockey Club Stakes (Group 2)
No1 YIBIR
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
No prizes for finding YIBIR as the likely winner of the day’s feature, but the Godolphin stalwart is impossible to oppose after a narrow defeat at the hooves of ultra smart Shahryar in the Sheema Classic at Meydan. Raymond Tusk may follow him home.
Race 6 No7 VOODOO QUEEN (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: David Egan
VOODOO QUEEN holds some high profile entries after showing on both starts last year that she has a future. Especially promising was her narrow defeat by Splendent at Newcastle, which showed today’s mile and a quarter trip to be much more her cup of tea.
GOODWOOD – 29/04/2022
Race 2 No4 DESPERATE HERO (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Darragh Keenan
Channon’s two-year-olds have run well without setting any rivers on fire, but DESPERATE HERO might prove the best to be seen so far. The Captain Gerrard gelding will benefit from the run, but can still be involved and take home a cheque.
Race 4 No3 FOLK DANCE ( Each Way)
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
FOLK DANCE has endured training issues and is therefore only a speculative choice for the distaffers’ Listed prize. She was in good order when last seen on the track, taking out a Class 3 handicap at HQ in taking style. She’s worked as if she’s retained much of that ability in spite of her near 600-day absence.
Race 5 No2 CRIMSON SAND (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hughes – Jockey: Pat Dobbs
CRIMSON SAND has solid credentials for what on paper is a competitive sprint. His string of earning efforts on the all-weather are there to be lived up to, and he can make this a first career win on turf.
CHELTENHAM – 29/04/2022
Race 2 No2 FAMOUS CLERMONT
Trainer: Chris Barber – Jockey: Mr Will Biddick
FAMOUS CLERMONT treated regulation fences with the same respect as those in his sequence of victories between the flags when scoring at Exeter. Representing top point connections, he can give favourite backers a bright start to the United Hunts fixture.
Race 4 No10 GEORDIE B
Trainer: Clive Boultbee-brooks – Jockey: Mr Tom O’Brien
GEORDIE B gave the smart Dolphin Square a race on his reappearance and debut for this yard at Lingfield. The grey landed the odds laid on him in the gamest fashion on his next start at Carlisle, and can play a part in the finish of this open contest.
Race 6 No6 SHANTOU FLYER (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Mr David Maxwell
Dolphin Square’s owner/rider David Maxwell should supply the answer to this with SHANTOU FLYER. The Nap returned from an enforced break to hammer the useful Jett at Fontwell, and can build on that triumph.
Race 7 No3 PEACOCKS SECRET (Each Way)
Trainer: Dale Peters – Jockey: Mr James King
For value seekers, PEACOCKS SECRET can prove the best proposition on the card. Not only is the ten-year-old a model of consistency, but he receives expert handling from his talented rider, and has his tail up following a wide margin victory at Stratford where he looked better the further he travelled.
NEWCASTLE – 29/04/2022
Race 2 No1 FRANCESCO CLEMENTE ( Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Frankie Dettori
It’s hard to get away from the claims of FRANCESCO CLEMENTE, who though penalised for his Wood Dutton success at Newmarket looked with the manner of his performance to be a colt to be kept on the right side of, and one destined for better things.
Race 3 No3 POSSIBLE MAN
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
POSSIBLE MAN contested some tough races in 2021 when winning at Nottingham and finishing second at Leicester and Pontefract. He’s worked pleasingly ahead of this return to the track, and should go well.
WOLVERHAMPTON – 29/04/2022
Race 4 No8 SEND IN THE CLOWNS
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Luke Morris
A wide draw compromises the chances of SEND IN THE CLOWNS, but in a race that is more than a lap of the racecourse he should have time to work his way into the reckoning. He’s shown with a couple of frame finishes that he will soon be back in the winner’s circle for a trainer whose horses are in very good order.
Race 5 No1 SWEEPING STATEMENT (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
SWEEPING STATEMENT showed a modicum of ability in two starts when based in Ireland. He can show he’s benefitted from a move to the Beckett yard by outpointing paper favourite Three Start.
Race 6 No8 GURKHALI WARRIOR (Each Way)
Trainer: Hilal Kobeissi – Jockey: Laura Pearson
From a good gate position GURKHALI WARRIOR can post a first career success. He’s run into the money in successive visits to Dunstall Park, and this looks his best chance yet.
Bet on today’s Horse Racing (29/04/2022) at www.hollywoodbets.co.uk or www.hollywoodbets.ie
