Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Friday 16 June 2023

SANDOWN PARK

Race 2 No6 WHATS IN THE BAG
Trainer: Roger Teal – Jockey: Neil Callan

WHATS IN THE BAG mirrored his liking for Windsor when runner-up on his 2023 return at that track last month. The Dark Angel gelding has progressed for the outing and is ready to put his best foot forward.

Race 3 No5 INNER CITY
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick

INNER CITY is an outstandingly bred individual by Dubawi out of Group 1 winning mare Urban Fox. He will be wiser for his earning introduction at Yarmouth and only needs to make normal improvement to get off the mark.

Race 6 No9 ZOUKSTER
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Tom Marquand

ZOUKSTER has comfortably landed handicaps at Salisbury and Goodwood since returning to grass. He now takes a step up the class ladder but looks dangerous getting plenty of weight from his eight opponents.

Race 7 No5 TROOPER BISDEE (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris

TROOPER BISDEE benefitted from a step up the distance ladder when scoring on handicap bow at Yarmouth. His shrewd trainer resisted going for a swift follow-up and brings the Australia gelding here after a two-week gap. This progressive individual should have too many guns for top-weight Lady Rascal.

CHEPSTOW

Race 3 No6 SIOUX WARRIOR (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: Dane O’Neill

SIOUX WARRIOR found Ziggy’s Dream and then Politico too strong for him in visits to Doncaster and Chester and is proven on turf. He doesn’t meet a rival of their calibre and has a great chance to open his account at the third time so asking.

Race 4 No2 DESERT FALCON
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Thore Hammer Hansen

DESERT FALCON readily landed the odds on seasonal return and when breaking his maiden at Lingfield. He looked assured on that switch to grass, and shouldn’t be troubled dropping back to a sprint distance.

YORK

Race 1 No9 POET’S DAWN (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Brandon Wilkie

POET’S DAWN impresses as a horses running into form for a stable that is starting to do the same. He’s signalled with earning runs on his last two outings that he’s in the mood to post a first success since last autumn, and this mile and a quarter seems his optimum trip.

Race 2 No9 UP THE JAZZ (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Fahey – Jockey: Oisin Orr

UP THE JAZZ looked happier racing over six furlongs when second to Charutanga at Redcar, and with a couple of outings under his belt has the necessary experience to open his account in what is a hot looking seller.

GOODWOOD

Race 5 No4 FAIRBANKS (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert

FAIRBANKS races off a mark 5lb lower than it will be next week and appeals as a solid betting entity to remain unbeaten in handicaps, and to complete a hat-trick. The Nathaniel colt looked impressive on his latest outing at Leicester, and is a lightly-raced individual with more to offer.

AINTREE

Race 3 No1 SHEARER
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden

SHEARER frequently outjumped Jeffery’s Cross to score on chase debut at Ludlow. With his tail up after that resounding success, he can now follow-up at the main expense of Kakamora.

Race 7 No4 DICEY REILLY (Nap)
Trainer: Peter Bowen – Jockey: Sean Bowen

DICEY REILLY was handed a 7lb rise for her clear cut Worcester triumph and seems to be just as happy jumping fences or hurdles. The Getaway mare is in great order, and in the mood to prevent Born Famous completing a hat-trick.

FONTWELL PARK

Race 3 No1 PAK ARMY (Nap)
Trainer: Brian Barr – Jockey: Bradley Harris

Conditional Harris got a good tune out of PAK ARMY when the chestnut made it four on the bounce at Stratford earlier in the month. The combination are going to be hard to stop in spite of an 8lb rise for that impressive display.

Race 4 No2 SIROBBIE
Trainer: Ian Williams – Jockey: C Todd

SIROBBIE showed his liking for this figure-of-eight course albeit when scraping home in May. He cashed in a a fall in the ratings, and remains on a mark from which he can keep winning.