Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Chester, Sandown Park, York, Newton Abbot and Goodwood on 14 June 2024.
CHESTER
Race 3 No9 MANILA THRILLER (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Connor Beasley
RumbleInthejungle filly MANILA THRILLER was too green to do herself justice on debut at Windsor, missing the break but running on through beaten horses at the finish when the penny started to drop. She’s learned a great deal from that initial experience, and while she could still need some fine tuning I’m anticipating a big run from her with top northern jockey Beasley in the saddle.
Race 4 No11 AMANCIO (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
AMANCIO has proved a captain of industry as well as a regular earner for his connections both on turf and on the all-weather this year. Best ridden handily, he might prove hard to peg back should he get onto the lead on this sharp track where it pays to be ridden close to the pace.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 4 No6 CRYSTAL MARINER
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
CRYSTAL MARINER suggested he’s benefitted from a few tweaks in his training schedule when staying on for a minor cheque behind Tony Montana at Chester. It was also his first run since undergoing a breathing operation, which on that evidence has worked. Engaging in just a sixth career start this afternoon, he has more scope for progression than his exposed foes of whom Majestic can also run into the money.
Race 6 No2 DIVINE BREATH (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
DIVINE BREATH looks a bet worth waiting for and can cock a snook at the handicapper, who is poised to afford her a 15lb rise for her silky smooth Chelmsford triumph last week. The Harry Angel filly gets into this under a 6lb penalty, so is effectively thrown in if indeed the assessor has got it right, and he probably has.
YORK
Race 3 No4 KATEY KONTENT (Each Way)
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Clifford Lee
This stable is really getting its act together and in KATEY KONTENT can notch another winner. The Havana Grey filly was posting a third career success when inching home at Windsor but it was her first run after a long absence. She showed consistency through a select campaign last year and can turn into a smart sprint handicapper as she is proven on all types of ground.
Race 5 No3 PENZANCE (Nap)
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Alistair Rawlinson
PENZANCE is hard to knock, considering he’s peeled off four successes and a second from his last five outings and is a proven Class2 performer. The grey has thrived since his move to Appleby and from a plum draw looks sure to be competitive in a race where Godwinson needs to be forgiven his Newbury flop and is well worth a saver.
Race 6 No10 POL ROGER (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
On the 80th anniversary of Churchill’s finest hour, POL ROGER is a topical choice for this sprint handicap and can prove the toast of the Knavesmire. Seeking to complete a hat-trick, he hails from a stable that excels with horses of his ilk, and could easily find the further progression necessary to get the job done.
NEWTON ABBOT
Race 3 No3 GRIVETANA
Trainer: Harry Derham – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
GRIVETANA came out of the wilderness to score on debut for her trainer at Southwell and looks one to follow in handicap hurdles through the summer. She is starting to recapture her good form from 2022 with the Berkshire air playing a part in her renaissance, and can follow-up.
Race 6 No8 GETMETOTHEMOON
Trainer: Anthony Honeyball – Jockey: Rex Dingle
King’s Castle is respected granted he did us a good turn on his latest win. He has however gone up in the weights, making GETMETOTHEMOON a more attractive entity. The mare, who opened her account in gritty style at Stratford, is still learning the rudiments of jumping but in receipt of a stone from the top weight can take the spoils.
GOODWOOD
Race 3 No2 CLAN CHIEFTAIN
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
CLAN CHIEFTAIN carries colours that have been a regular sight in the winners’ enclosure this month. The Gleneagles gelding hinted with a near miss last time that now, on his third start of the season, he is primed to deliver.
Race 5 No3 MAKE IT EASY (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Tinkler – Jockey: Faye McManoman
MAKE IT EASY has run three solid races for her new trainer and can justify the long journey from North Yorkshire by taking the spoils. The daughter of Mehmas has experience of this undulating course, while a repeat of her York running last month would certainly be good enough.
Race 6 No4 DOUBLE TIME
Trainer: Sir Mark Todd – Jockey: Miss Megan Jordan
DOUBLE TIME was successful in his four and five-year-old seasons and ran well to claim a cheque on his only previous visit here. He attracted plenty of support before his latest outing at Newmarket and should make a bold fist of recouping those losses under a rider that finished second on him at Ascot last autumn.
