Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Friday 2 August 2024

QATAR GOODWOOD FESTIVAL DAY 4 FRIDAY BEST BETS

Race 1 No2 KYLE OF LOCHALSH (Each Way)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Billy Loughnane

KYLE OF LOCHALSH has form that’s very hard to knock and will carry my vote in a good betting heat to start Day 4. The Highland Reel colt finds all types of ground coming alike to him, and after winning in a bog at Salisbury finished off his races well when third in Class2s at Ascot and Newbury. From a tape start his rider needs to ensure he doesn’t get too far back in the early stages and that comment also applies to SINGLE who is one I could see picking off her rivals at the finish. SUPER SUPERJACK finished second in this two years ago and though not without his training issues jumps off the page as one to tread carefully with from a top jumps stable. A pea out of the same pod is TEMPORIZE, who proved a determined scorer for Syd Hosie at Newbury whilst having won and finished second on his only two visits to this course.

Prediction: 1st KYLE OF LOCHALSH, 2nd Temporize, 3rd Single, 4th Super Superjack

Race 2 BONHAMS THOROUGHBRED STAKES (Group 3)

No4 DANCING GEMINI (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Teal – Jockey: Oisin Murphy

AL MUSMAK will be a popular order on the back of his Listed win at Newmarket whilst the lightly-raced LEAD ARTIST could get closer to him, having been racing for only the third time when picking up a minor cheque in that race. The form pick has to be DANCING GEMINI, who is arguably unlucky not to have picked up a Classic in France and ran as well as could have been expected when given plenty to do in the Derby. Though underwhelming in the Coral-Eclipse he has the wherewithal to bounce back as the best bet on the card.

Race 3 CORAL GOLDEN MILE HANDICAP

No13 DARKNESS (Each Way)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Hector Crouch

This isn’t be of the hottest Golden Miles in recent seasons but remains a good race to bet in. We found the winner in Johan 12 months ago and now I shall pass the baton to DARKNESS, who ran well to make the frame in that race and has a definite liking for an undulating course. Having skipped an opportunity earlier in the week the cards seem to have dropped right for him as he has a cracking draw and can prove the ace in a six-strong pack saddled by David O’Meara. Stablemate BOPEDRO could also go well at a big price as he’s well in on his best form and that remark applies to ORBAAN who is also well drawn. NEW IMAGE finished second in the International Stakes at Ascot last Saturday and won’t mind a return to a mile, though his high draw (17) could make life tough for him. BLUE FOR YOU carries a 3lb penalty for a recent York success and that was boosted when the Northern Express took out the International at Ascot. Away from the O’Meara challenge PEROTTO should contend for a cheque while any support for local hope REBEL TERRITORY would also be of interest.

Prediction: 1st DARKNESS, 2nd Blue For You, 3rd New Image, 4th Perotto, 5th Orbaan, 6th Rebel Territory, 7th Bopedro

Race 4 KING GEORGE QATAR STAKES (Group 2)

No2 PONNTOS (Each Way)
Trainer: Miroslav Nieslanik – Jockey: Sabina Mokrosova

For me this is the most exciting race of the week and the inclusion of PONNTOS from the Czech Republic gives it a wholly international feel. The six-year-old entire has destroyed his rivals under Mickael Barzalona in consecutive races at Longchamp and Chantilly and shown an affinity for plenty of cut in the ground. He races with a new pilot who is totally new to Goodwood and ongoing that is quickening by the minute under intense heat. Mokrosova has finished last on four of her last six rides in her homeland but is an established jockey, whilst her mount will love the track and can prove hard to peg back if establishing a lead. That will not be easy with DESPERATE HERO in opposition as the Jack Channon-trained grey is also lightning from the cage and will soon fully graduate into a Group-class sprinter. Australian ace ASFOORA came from off the pace to further improve her country’s fine record in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. She needs respecting along with BIG EVS who finished behind the mare in June but has targeted this race as his potential big payday ever since and is sure to run well.

Prediction: 1st PONNTOS, 2nd Big Evs, 3rd Desperate Hero, 4th Asfoora

Race 5 No1 MY PROSPERO
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand

This conditions race gives MY PROSPERO a fine chance to deliver 9n his belated return to the track. The five-year-old defends a one-race unbeaten record at this course, having taken out a Listed race over this mile-and-a-quarter trip in the autumn. A Group 2 winner at Salisbury, he has placed form in Group 1 company and can be forgiven a defeat on his latest start when wearing blinkers in the Champion Stakes. He faces strong competition from CICERO’S GIFT, and if this doesn’t too soon for the colt after his comeback win at Sandown he will be a threat.

Race 6 No11 BERKSHIRE KAMEO (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert

Goodwood nurseries are traditionally hard to win and this is no exception. Of the 17 scheduled to compete, hat-trick-seeking THE DRAGON KING will attract abundant support for Clive Cox and Rossa Ryan. He appeals as a worthy favourite but several can cause him problems, including ZABEEL ROAD who brings similarly solid form to the table for trainer Charlie Johnston. ARDENNES takes the eye after his defeat of CAYMAN TAI at Salisbury and near miss on the all-weather at Newcastle. RARE CHANGE caught the eye with a strong finish at Haydock and could contend but the vote goes to BERKSHIRE KAMEO based on his consistently good form and the decision of his trainer to add a first-time visor. The son of Kameko has gone very close on his last two starts and put in a career-best on nursery debut at Ascot.

Race 7 No7 SUN GOD (Each Way)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: David Egan

BLAKE is hard to knock granted how much he enjoyed stepping up in trip in a recent win at Sandown. He has similar credentials to NEW CHELSEA who has progressed from race to race this year and would not be a surprise winner. WAFEI came home by the proverbial street when opening his account in a weak maiden at Hamilton and it’s very interesting that his trainer affords him a big step up on the distance ladder. Any money for ex-Irish RAPID MISSION would be of interest on his debut for a jumping stable that has done well with its few runners in the Flat. MASTER BUILDER took a noticeable walk in the market on his return to action at Kempton and could improve considerably now switched to a handicap but the one to beat is SUN GOD. He’s troubled the judge in a couple of hot contests at Newmarket and can help make it a good day for trainer Morrison.

Prediction: 1st SUN GOD, 2nd Master Builder, 3rd Wafei, 4th Rapid Mission, 5th New Chelsea