Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, Fontwell Park, Ayr, Exeter and Bath on 19 April 2024.
NEWBURY
Race 2 No11 CHAIRMANOFTHEBOARD (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Connor Beasley
CHAIRMANOFTHEBOARD is in his seventh season racing and has proved a flagship to his stable since scoring by 11 lengths on his racecourse debut. At his best on good ground with a small amount of cut in it, the eight-year-old should be all the better for his first run back at Doncaster and with top northern rider Beasley in his saddle can get into the shake-up.
Race 4 No8 SAM HAWKENS
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
SAM HAWKENS is the type of colt the Hannons have done well with over the years, and could prove the answer to this mile-and-a-quarter novice in which you will need to dig deep to find the winner. The son of Galileo stayed on for a minor cheque on his introduction at Goodwood last back end in what ended up being a blanket finish. He also showed in that effort that he handles some cut in the ground.
Race 6 No8 TERAABB (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
TERAABB knocked on the door a few times last year, and while his commitment wasn’t completely challenged, it’s interesting that his trainer now elects to equip him with first-time cheek pieces. The gelded son of Derby winner Masar makes some appeal getting weight from all his rivals and first time back could be the time to catch him.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 1 No2 AMERICAN LAND (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
AMERICAN LAND troubled the judge in successive outings over hurdles and was returning from a long absence when making little impression in Steel Ally’s race at Wincanton in February. It was also his first run following a wind op, and while he needs to raise his game to win, it often applies that the benefits of respiratory operations are more enhanced on a horse’s second run back.
Race 6 No8 HAPPY INDEX (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Jack Quinlan
HAPPY INDEX didn’t find much when coming off the bridle at Huntingdon but that track, though sharp, didn’t suit the mare who is better than her run implies. Around this figure-of-eight course she can leave the performance behind and take home a cheque of some kind.
AYR
Race 1 No5 JACKPOT D’ATHOU
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
Nicholls customarily sends out winners at the Scottish National meeting and JACKPOT D’ATHOU looks his ace card on Day 1. A winner of two of his three outings in novice company, he’s ready for this switch to a handicap and can repel the challenge of a dangerous-looking foe in Bluegrass.
Race 4 No3 NELLS SON (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
NELLS SON was a tenacious scorer at Kelso when making it two wins from five outings since returning to fences. He’s a strong traveller with a turn of foot, just the qualities required to do well on this course where the ground is expected to dry up over the weekend.
Race 5 No3 DODDIETHEGREAT
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
When DODDIETHEGREAT scored on his seasonal reappearance at Ascot, asked about future plans his trainer simply answered ‘in Scotland’. In fact, this is the first time the selection has ventured north of the border, but he’s been keeping smart company and should appreciate a somewhat more straightforward assignment, and provide a fitting tribute to the legacy of the man he’s named after, Doddie Weir.
EXETER
Race 1 No7 VINCENZO (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
VINCENZO proved costly when let down by his jumping at Ascot last time. While I don’t want to have to invest too much to get my money back, he should find this a straightforward assignment as he steps back into calmer waters.
Race 6 No1 DUNSTALL RAMBLER
Trainer: Tom George – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
A switch to chasing was bringing about notable improvement in DUNSTALL RAMBLER before he took a chance with a late fence at Huntingdon and paid the penalty. None the worse for that reverse, he should have too much for a field of mainly out-of-form rivals in this novices’ handicap chase.
BATH
Race 2 No5 SPIRITED DANCER (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
SPIRITED DANCER kept on well for a runners-up cheque on her Kempton introduction with Washington Dancer just behind. The Dandy Man filly was finishing best of all and can confirm her superiority to give her trainer a first juvenile winner of the season.
Race 4 No9 VADREAM
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
VADREAM is a Group horse running in a Listed race, and will greatly enjoy the cut in the ground for one of the marquee races of the year at this course. If near her best she should outclass her foes, of whom the bang-in-form Adaay In Devon and Pinafore can also get into the shake-up.
Race 6 No7 CALSHOT SPIT (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
CALSHOT SPIT is not an obvious choice for this low-grade handicap, but a first run on grass could help him, while De Sousa will know more about the gelding after riding him at Wolverhampton. The combination wasn’t beaten very far on that occasion, and he’s worth another chance.
