Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Ascott, Thirsk, Uttoxeter, Chepstow, Newmarket and York on 28 July 2023
ASCOT
Race 2 No5 KING EAGLE ( Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Henderson’s love affair with the big long distance handicaps at this course can be further bolstered by a success for KING EAGLE. The gelded son of Frankel is 2 from 2 since his arrival at Seven Barrows and this extra quarter mile looks sure to float his boat, with Moore an added ingredient in what looks a potent mix.
Race 4 No5 YOUTHFUL KING (Each Way)
Trainer: Luke Dace – Jockey: Aidan Keeley
YOUTHFUL KING has delivered on two of his four starts this season to make himself a flagship horse for his small stable. Over an identical trip he ran out the smoothest of scorers at Windsor, and a 7lb penalty may not be enough to impair his progression. Gaassee and Oneforthegutter are both respected in a race where the trio could dominate.
Race 5 No8 FLASH BARDOT
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand
Sixties Icon filly FLASH BARDOT went close to defying a penalty for her Epsom success at Newbury and has the same capable apprentice in her saddle. She was trying to buck her work rider off in midweek and has to be taken seriously on this quick reappearance,
THIRSK
Race 2 No10 NIGHTEYES (Nap)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: David Nolan
NIGHTEYES is well drawn as well as holding an experience edge over her opponents. The Night Of Thunder filly failed to convert some good bets laid on her at York, but that form reads very well in the context of today’s race. She appears to hold the cards, and can go one better.
UTTOXETER
Race 3 No2 GREATNESS AWAITS (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Luca Morgan
GREATNESS AWAITS was not an inexpensive purchase when switching racing codes, and after showing various levels of ability in a first season over jumps should now be better prepared. With only four races under his belt in maiden hurdles he will surely have more to offer switched to handicaps for a top trainer.
Race 7 No4 DONTMESSWITHME
Trainer: Syd Hosie – Jockey: Nick Schofield
DONTMESSWITHME did nothing wrong when second on her Newton Abbot debut when easy to back. The Court Cave filly should have learned from that first foray onto the track, even though it was achieved in a small field of only five runners. She can take full advantage of the 11lb she receives from the penalised Gone Away Madam.
CHEPSTOW
Race 1 No9 OBAMA ARMY (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
OBAMA ARMY is a master of consistency who should have won on more than one occasion this season. At Nottingham last week he looked to have timed it to perfection, only to get mugged in the final couple of strides. He seems to be thriving on racing, and though in this tougher contest he can again trouble the judge.
NEWMARKET
Race 2 No6 KITTY BENNET
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey Saffie Osborne
An earner on all three starts and now moving into a handicap, KITTY BENNET should find the step up to six furlongs in her favour, while her jockey is riding as well as ever. The combination look booked for another pay day of same kind in this admittedly open heat.
Race 5 No2 TERWADA (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: James Doyle
TERWADA put one on the scoresheet in the smoothest of fashions at Nottingham and might have been tricky for the handicapper to assess. On this switch of racing code he can make it a good day for his trainer, who is also responsible for Kitty Bennet.
YORK
Race 1 No5 STRONGBOWE ( Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Mr Thomas Easterby
Easterby fields two with definite chances in this amateur riders’ handicap in which STRONGBOWE is just preferred to Golden Melody. The selection was a regular earner this year before deservedly opening his account at Carlisle. While his previous visits to the Knavesmire have proved fruitless he’s in the mood to change that.
Race 7 No2 BETWEENTHESTICKS (Each Way)
Trainer: Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
BETWEENTHESTICKS is a wager that can prove worth waiting for in the nightcap. The son of underrated stallion Captain Gerard has been denied in a couple of close finishes but was absolutely bouncing at exercise this week. Rose Dawes gets on well with him, and the combination rate a good bet to again get into the shake-up.
