Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Sandown Park, Doncaster, Chepstow, Perth and Southwell on 28 April 2023.
Sandown Park
Race 2 No4 METAL MERCHANT
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand
Extreme underfoot conditions have conspired to reduce field sizes on a card containing three Group races, and one horse that can exploit them is METAL MERCHANT in the Esher Cup. The son of Make Believe is yet to race on easy ground but both his sire and the dam’s side of his mother encountered plenty of cut in France. And although he finished last on reappearance at Southwell he was beaten less than five lengths, and can improve.
Race 3 bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes (Group 3)
No4 REGAL REALITY
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
All eyes will be on the 2021 Derby winner Adayar, who is reported to have done plenty of work ahead of this stepping stone to Royal Ascot. His ‘King George’ triumph last year showed he’d retained all his old ability, though he had far from a clean run and training issues restricted him to just one other appearance. The Owen Burrows-trained Anmaat is a dangerous foe based on an unbeaten 2022 campaign that culminated in success in a Group 2 at Longchamp and the five-year-old loves to get his toe in. But at an exaggerated price REGAL REALITY could be worth backing to upset the applecart. The eight-year-old is a law unto himself, but has worked well in preparation for this for a trainer who is amongst the winners.
Race 4 bet365 Mile (Group 2)
No7 POTAPOVA
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Stoute and Moore could again be in the spotlight, this time with the filly POTAPOVA. She seemed to have separate ways of running last year, but when on song in the Atalanta Stakes here in September took the spoils with a telling burst of finishing speed. Now a five-year-old, her trainer wouldn’t persevere with this attractive individual unless he felt she had a good race in her, and now is the time to catch her.
Race 5 bet365 Classic Trial (Group 3)
No3 FLYING HONOURS
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
It must be doubtful whether there’s a potential Derby winner in this recognised trial but FLYING HONOURS can show he’s a good horse in his own right by taking the spoils for Godolphin. The son of Sea The Stars progressed from Listed to Group 3 success in the late summer and is already a winner at the 2000 metres distance. He’s reported to be in good order and can get the better of market rival Arrest.
Race 7 No2 RATHGAR (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
RATHGAR can prove a bet worth waiting for in this concluding three-year-old only handicap. The Ulysses colt ran with juice underfoot in each of his three starts as a juvenile and although lacking an instant turn of foot should outstay these opponents by setting sail for the lollipop a long way out.
DONCASTER
Race 2 No10 SMOKY MOUNTAIN (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
Frankel gelding SMOKY MOUNTAIN troubled the judge on both all-weather starts and should benefit from being pulled back to a sprint distance for his first run on grass. He will be more focused than most of his rivals, and can open his account.
Race 4 No12 LOWTON (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Supreme King has squandered a few chances and the one to monitor for market support is LOWTON. The son of Pivotal hails from a stable that is firing in the winners and if endorsing the promise he’s shown at home should be involved.
Race 5 No4 WONDER LEGEND
Trainer: James Ferguson – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
WONDER LEGEND gamely opened his account at Wolverhampton and may have a fitness edge on main opponent Westerton. He should enjoy stretching out on the distance ladder on this first outing on turf.
CHEPSTOW
Race 5 No5 DEERE MARK (Each Way)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
DEERE MARK underwhelmed on a trip to Kelso in early March but shouldn’t be allowed to go under the radar granted the ease with which he landed a novice hurdle at Hereford and a handicap at Kempton. He’s been freshened up by his in-form handler, and can bounce back.
Race 7 No1 BALLYMAGROARTY BOY (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Hawke – Jockey: David Pritchard
The consistent BALLYMAGROARTY BOY has figures of 3U3232 which though telling its own story rubber stamps the gelding’s ability to earn. He’s giving away weight but this is a race where the main protagonists are at the top of the handicap, and he can experience a deserved change of luck.
PERTH
Race 3 No8 CHARLES STREET
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Jack Hogan
A double penalty makes life difficult for Respendent Grey in this novices’ hurdle and the one to be on is CHARLES STREET. The selection has gone 222 but gets over a stone from his rival, and should convert.
Race 5 No2 UNCLE ALASTAIR (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Veteran UNCLE ALASTAIR was a deserving winner when equipped with a first-time visor at Carlisle. The gelding readily outstayed his foes up the final hill, and while underfoot conditions will be much quicker he can follow up at the main expense of Saint Arvans.
SOUTHWELL
Race 2 No2 QUID PRO QUO
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Fergus Gillard
JP McManus-owned horses can dominate this two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase, but while Joly Maker is a shorter price, QUID PRO QUO can have the upper hand. Though unable to live up to his early promise as a novice over hurdles, the selection has had excuses for a so far disastrous campaign as a chaser. He remains a risky proposition, but if anywhere near as good as he was he would make short work of his rivals.
Race 5 No4 THANKSFORTHEHELP (Nap)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Jack Tudor
THANKSFORTHEHELP was never really travelling when sent off favourite for the Coral Cup, eventually finishing in mid-division. Previously a ready scorer at Chepstow, he should enjoy a return to novice company and see off the attentions of Akron’s Sage and Richhill.
