Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Goodwood, Pontefract, Hereford and Bath on 24 May 2024.
GOODWOOD
Race 1 No8 RED SAND ( Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Saffie Osborne
Several take the eye in the opening novice, including the Kameko colt Berkshire Kameo, though those that have already had a run could have an edge. RED SAND is one of that number, and having chased home a decent type at Bath should be primed to progress and go one better on a step up to six furlongs.
Race 5 No8 BE FRANK (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
BE FRANK is a four-year-old with only a handful of races on his CV, and one that figures to improve from his promising first run of the season. That happened at Newmarket where on a first attempt at this 1400 metres trip he stayed on to claim a minor cheque. It would be no surprise to see him go higher on the rostrum as he’s a well-balanced individual who should handle the undulations of this course.
PONTEFRACT
Race 2 No1 PENDLEBURY LANE
Trainer: Julie Camacho – Jockey: Ryan Sexton
Godolphin-owned Enchanted Life defends a one-race unbeaten record but could be worth taking on. Pivotal filly PENDLEBURY LANE shaped with promise on debut for her trainer, who has a penchant for getting the best out of cast-offs from other stables. As you might expect from an individual with her pedigree she relished the cut in the ground, and with plenty of rain in the forecast, the easygoing could prove a telling factor this evening.
Race 5 No7 MINSTREL KNIGHT (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
MINSTREL KNIGHT did not go unbacked when third to Amancio on a first run on turf at Haydock. It could be that he was in need of that first outing since the end of January, and if sharper for it will be hard to beat. Doyle is an eye-taking booking for the Advertise gelding.
HEREFORD
Race 3 No7 MAN OF LIGHT (Each Way)
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Sean Houlihan
MAN OF LIGHT appeals as a horse with a low mileage that is just starting to run into form. His effort to finish just out of the money at Ffos Las last time entailed a beaten of 22 lengths, but for much of the journey, he looked like being involved. It wouldn’t surprise me if he was to raise his game in this fourth outing over fences.
Race 4 No3 CHER TARA (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
As the unexposed member of the party, CHER TARA makes a lot of sense in this mares’ handicap hurdle. She’s underwhelmed in some of her races as a novice but can take a big step forward if running here instead of Market Rasen, as this longer trip is what she wants.
BATH
Race 2 No11 SUBSONICTOSHANNON
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
Although she disappointed when fourth at Wolverhampton, SUBSONICTOSHANNON is worth backing you bounce back from what could prove a plum draw. She is reminiscent of Spirited Dancer, who disappointed on a visit here but looked a different proposition when returning to the same venue and powering home under Greatrex, a jockey enjoying a fine strike-rate since his return to the saddle.
Race 6 No4 CATCH THE LIGHT (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: James Doyle
Doyle was seen at his best in these colours on an unraced two-year-old at Yarmouth on Wednesday. He can now shine aboard the Siyouni filly CATCH THE LIGHT, who shaped well for a minor cheque behind an Oaks-bound filly in Seaward at Ascot on her only outing last September.
Race 7 No9 SISTERANDBROTHER (Each Way)
Trainer: Harriet Dickin – Jockey: Rhys Clutterbuck
A speculative vote goes to dual-purpose horse SISTERANDBROTHER who gained his only success on the Flat at this course, and though returning from a near eight-month absence could have benefitted from a move to the in-form Dickin stable.
