Neil Morrice provides us with his best bets and tips for Friday’s race meetings at Glorious Goodwood, Galway and New Market on 29/07/2022.
GLORIOUS GOODWOOD – 29/07/2022
Race 1 No6 ZOFFEE (Each Way)
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: James Doyle
This is a cracker of a stayers’ handicap to set the ball rolling on Day 4, and with extended places a welcome addition it’s hard to see MELLOW MAGIC failing to take home a cheque of some kind.
The Nathaniel filly has troubled the judge in each of her 13 career starts, and though only once successful has narrowly missed on several occasions.
However to look at her as a prospective win entity is altogether different, which switches my allegiance to SEA APPEAL and ZOFFEE. Sea Appeal has progressed from race to race since joining Richard Hughes from Ireland and could have a lot more to offer, but ZOFFEE’s credentials are even stronger.
The former handicap chaser landed back-to-back races at Carlisle and Newcastle before going down by just a head in a blanket finish when third to Soapy Stevens at Newmarket. James Doyle is an eye taking jockey booking for a horse that’s clearly enjoying a change of scenery.
Prediction: 1st ZOFFEE, 2nd Sea Appeal, 3rd Mellow Magic
Race 2 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (Group 3)
No2 BERKSHIRE SHADOW
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jason Watson
BERKSHIRE SHADOW has contested Group 1 or Group 2 races on six of his last seven starts and knows how to mix it with the big boys. He’s chased home the likes of Native Trail and Coroebus, and when third to Mighty Ulysses in a Listed race at Newmarket wasn’t beaten far. He will find this Group 3 a similarly calm stretch of water and can gain a deserved first success of the season.
CHECKANDCHALLENGE is unbeaten in two all-weather starts and came back from a lay off to run Sinjaari close in a Class2 handicap at Sandown. As that was only his fourth career start he could be the one to progress and follow home the selection.
Race 3 No17 AUSTRIAN THEORY (Each Way)
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Franny Norton
High hopes were held for AUSTRIAN THEORY at the start of the campaign, and while the Awtaad colt hasn’t quite hit the headlines he is worth close inspection in one of the best betting races of the week.
To win the Golden Mile it’s imperative not to get stuck behind horses in the straight, and Austrian Theory is the type of generous galloper that from a midfield draw can break handily and avoid trouble.
He’s been in good form with a recent win at Hamilton and narrow defeat at Newmarket to indicate he could add to his trainer’s amazing record in handicaps at this fixture.
Exotics wagering is a must in this and JIMI HENDRIX needs to go into all permutations as well as being backed for a ‘saver’. The flashy chestnut possesses a smart turn of foot and has a lovely weight, but needs to overcome a nightmare draw one from the outer.
From his pitch three off the rail the lightly-raced NOBLE DYNASTY can pose a threat to all. Freshness is key to the Dubawi gelding, who not for the first time came back from a lay off to win easily in his 2022 return at Newmarket.
In the same colours SHINING BLUE has to be taken seriously as he defends a three race unbeaten record for trainer Saeed Bin Suroor, while others with good earning chances are SINJAARI and ESCOBAR. The latter doesn’t always show up, but the addition of Dettori could spark him into a trademark storming finish.
Prediction: 1st AUSTRIAN THEORY, 2nd Jimi Hendrix, 3rd Noble Dynasty, 4th Shining Blue, 5th Escobar
Race 4 King George Qatar Stakes (Group 2)
No8 RAASEL
Trainer: Mick Appleby – Jockey: James Doyle
Appleby can notch a second British Pattern race success with the horse that gave him his first, RAASEL.
The Shadwell cast off has helped illustrate his trainer’s penchant for improving a sprinter, and when taking out the Group 3 Coral Charge at Sandown was notching an eight triumph from his last ten starts returned to turf.
The five-year-old is unlikely to have reached the pinnacle of his progression, and against several that haven’t really made the transition from handicaps/Listed to Group standard has a great chance to put this historic prize on his CV.
Race 5 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Glorious Stakes (Group 3)
No9 REGAL REALITY (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
There’s a certain Jekyll And Hyde element to the character of REGAL REALITY, but the latest evidence from the Newmarket gallops is that the seven-year-old can make his entrance as the former, and not obliterate his chances in a wolfman style shape-shift.
This mile and a half is unquestionably the selection’s optimum trip, and he was unlucky not to win in Listed company at Sandown last time, as he had too much to do and covered the final three furlongs in an incredible time of just over 30 seconds.
There are some capable foes taking him on, but in terms of sheer ability REGAL REALITY stands out and this undulating track has brought out the best in him in the past.
Race 6 No6 CALIFORNIA GEM
Trainer: George Boughey – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
If CALIFORNIA GEM brings the ‘Boughey factor’ to the table she is the most likely winner of the hottest nursery of the season so far. The daughter of Cable Bay has shown progression to put behind her an expensive debut defeat with clear cut successes at Ripon and Beverley, and has a solid chance of completing a hat-trick.
Race 7 No5 CAIUS CHORISTER
Trainer: David Menuisier – Jockey: Benoit De La Sayette
The locally-trained CAIUS CHORISTER hasn’t put a foot wrong in amassing a four race winning sequence and is strongly fancied to complete a magnificent nap hand. The Golden Horn filly has been heavily supported for the last three triumphs, and after cantering up at Epsom is in the mood to defy a 6lb penalty.
GALWAY – 29/07/2022
Race 1 No7 VULTAN (Nap)
Trainer: Tony Martin – Jockey: P Carberry
If ever a dark horse stepped up to the plate at Galway then it is the like of VULTAN, who was a decent performer on the Flat, but surely has more to offer coming here off just a couple of hurdling runs on debut for his new handler.
The five-year-old delivered on return from a lengthy break at Roscommon, and now reappears after a snug success at Gowran Park that happened ten months ago.
Race 4 No14 DHA LEATH (Each Way)
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell – Jockey: Ger Ryan
Mehmas filly DHA LEATH must be taken seriously in the night’s feature as she attempts to make this a fourth success from only five outings for her trainer.
A change of scenery has seen the selection take on a winning habit that makes her a leading contender for further major honours, though in a wickedly competitive affair SHARK BAY, CASK MATE and SAN MARTINO should also go into the exotic mix, each of whom have strong claims for the win in their own right.
Prediction: 1st DHA LEATH, 2nd Shark Bay, 3rd Cask Mate, 4th San Martino
Race 8 No13 UNANSWERED
Trainer: Tony Martin – Jockey: Billy Lee
UNANSWERED turned the corner in a big way with a sequence of victories on the Flat and over jumps and was perhaps unfortunate to be edged out of it by Scenic Look here on Wednesday. If making a swift reappearance – and that is a probability if he’s taken his race well – he can return to winning ways and help losing punters jump out of jail.
NEWMARKET – 29/07/2022
Race 5 No1 MIDNIGHT MOLL
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
MIDNIGHT MOLL was easy to back when posting a win at the first time of asking over course and distance last month. In spite of her awkward penalty she can give paper favourite Mashaaer plenty to think about, and also stave off the challenge of well-related newcomer Laurel.
Race 7 No6 BOSSIPOP (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
Veteran BOSSIPOP has dropped to a favourable mark and showed with an earning run at York that he’s on the cusp of a return to winning ways. He’s getting a handy amount of weight from his main rival Devil’s Angel who might struggle to cope with him.
Bet on today’s 29/07/2022 horse racing at www.hollywoodbets.co.uk or www.hollywoodbets.ie
