Neil Morrice gives us his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s British race meetings taking place at Ascot, Fontwell Park, Hexham and Newcastle on 30/09/2022.
ASCOT
Race 2 No3 WHITEHAVEN (Nap)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: William Buick
Le Havre gelding WHITEHAVEN looks to have been quietly campaigned towards an autumn campaign and comes here a fresh horse after just two outings in 2022. The latest was just three weeks ago when he finished third of four to Aggagio in a Class2 at Goodwood. That should have blown away the cobwebs for improvement, and it’s worth recalling he landed a fine hat-trick in soft and heavy ground at this time last year.
Race 3 No7 SWEET WILLIAM
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Rab Havlin
Sea The Stars colt SWEET WILLIAM ran green on his Kempton introduction but nevertheless showed raw ability to finish second. He is sure to be more streetwise and being out of a mare by Shirocco should appreciate any cut in the ground. He can go one better at the main expense of Cadmus.
Race 4 No5 SECRET STATE
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
SECRET STATE did nothing wrong when chasing home Deauville Legend in the Great Voltigeur at York and has subsequently undergone a breathing operation. A prolific scorer before his run in that St Leger trial, he can take out this Listed feature on the way to better things.
Race 5 No4 HONKY TONK MAN
Trainer: Roger Charlton – Jockey: David Probert
HONKY TONK MAN has knocked on the door in competitive races at Newcastle and now needs to transfer that ability onto turf. His neck defeat at the hooves of Temple Bruer reads well, and he can prove a thorn in the side of lightly-raced top-weight Silent Speech.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 3 No7 BAHTIYAR (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
This stable saddled a nice winner in Keep Running at Bangor on Wednesday and can add to its laurels with BAHTIYAR, who is considered to be almost as good. The selection ran a cracker as a 16-1 roughie when third to Monte Igueldo at Worcester where he was in contention jumping the final flight. The former French-based gelding went down by just a length in a tight finish and will strip fitter for that first run in seven months.
Race 4 No1 MR FREEDOM
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: Marc Goldstein
MR FREEDOM had the whip hand over Miss Fedora when they met here earlier in the month, since when he’s followed up under a penalty at Plumpton. While it will be harder for the Sixties Icon gelding to confirm those placings he was most impressive last time, and can complete a hat-trick.
Race 5 No4 THE GOLDEN REBEL
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Harry Bannister
THE GOLDEN REBEL jumped well from the front at Uttoxeter and was in no way disgraced to go down by two lengths to multiple scorer Kinondo Kwetu. He was unlucky when falling trying to put together back-to-back successes at Doncaster last winter, and when getting into a rhythm can be hard to peg back. He should find this figure-of-eight course to his liking.
HEXHAM
Race 3 No5 ANGE ENDORMI (Nap)
Trainer: Barbara Butterworth – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
ANGE ENDORMI is proving a shrewd investment for his trainer, posting a win and two seconds from as many visits to Cartmel in the summer. He’s thriving for a change of scenery in a smaller stable, and can keep up the good work as the best bet on a very tricky card.
NEWCASTLE
Race 7 No4 TOPOMANIA (Nap)
Trainer: James Horton – Jockey: PJ McDonald
TOPOMANIA can triumph against previous scorers Melfet and Poker Face in this novice stakes. The Siyouni gelding takes a couple of near misses to the table but could find his foes anchored by their 7lb penalties.
Race 8 No8 PRINCESS KARINE
Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: Harrison Shaw
Aclaim filly PRINCESS KARINE has made earning a habit in her first season, as reflected by her figures of 12623. The lightly-raced individual just needs to transfer her form from turf to Tapeta to put in another frame finish.
