Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Goodwood, Newmarket, Musselburgh, Cheltenham and Newcastle on 5 May 2023.
NEWMARKET
Race 2 bet365 Mile (Group 2)
No4 LIGHT INFANTRY
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Native Trail is a Classic winner that escapes a penalty, but the Irish 2,000 Guineas hero might find it tough against LIGHT INFANTRY who appeals as a horse that could make a big splash this season. The 2021 Horris Hill Stakes winner finished behind Native Trail in last year’s Guineas here but showed with near misses in back-to-back Group 1s at Deauville in a select 2022 campaign that he will be a force to be reckoned with, and my information is that he’s done particularly well through the winter and 8nto the spring.
Race 4 No4 THE GATEKEEPER
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Former smart two-year-old THE GATEKEEPER missed out on the 2022 campaign but has started to make up for lost time with a comeback win at Newcastle and good runs in defeat at Doncaster and Musselburgh. He didn’t appear to get the mile on Town Moor, and this seven furlongs is his optimum distance.
Race 5 Jockey Club Stakes (Group 2)
No2 HURRICANE LANE
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
HURRICANE LANE is the undisputed star turn in the feature race on Day 1 of the Guineas meeting, but the 2021 St Leger winner needs to show in first-time cheekpieces that he was in need of his underwhelming comeback outing when last of seven in the John Porter Stakes at Newbury.
The chestnut is yet to win since his Doncaster triumph and has not been without his issues, but Appleby wouldn’t turn him out so quickly unless he was convinced his charge could get the job done. West Wind Blows is the main stumbling block facing the selection. He can put in the odd howler but has shown in the past that he operates well off a break.
Race 6 No5 MISS MACH ONE (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
MISS MACH ONE is her rookie trainer’s first juvenile runner of the season. She’s shown promise on grass at home, while Murphy is an eye-taking booking for her. Against that, she represents a stable whose newcomers frequently need their first outing, and can run green, but I think she’s a risk worth taking.
Race 7 No1 INFINITE COSMOS (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Sea The Stars filly INFINITE COSMOS showed promise when running into the well-regarded Sea Of Roses on debut at Doncaster last autumn. She’s been showing up well in her preparatory work and can prove a bet worth waiting for from a stable that’s made its intentions clear with a bountiful first few weeks of the campaign.
GOODWOOD
Race 2 No9 VOODOO QUEEN
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: David Egan
VOODOO QUEEN couldn’t cross the divide into Listed and Group company with any success, but she remains a filly of particular interest, being a beautifully bred daughter of Frankel. With only six career outings to her name, and with her trainer amongst the winners, she can make a successful return to the fray.
Race 3 No4 CAME FROM THE DARK (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Ross Coakley
CAME FROM THE DARK has looked a winner in waiting for a while now, and fresh from an earning comeback at Musselburgh should be primed to put his best foot forward. The grey has gradually dropped in the ratings to a mark from which he can be effective, and if there a strong pace he should arrive late on the scene to claim the spoils.
Race 7 No2 CHAMPAGNE CITY
Trainer: Ben Brookhouse – Jockey: Joe Leavy
Brookhouse has made a bright start to his career with a licence, with CHAMPAGNE CITY giving him much to crow about when posting a 25-1 surprise at Pontefract. The dual-purpose performer faces a tougher task competing off his revised mark, but such was his margin of superiority that day that I think he can stage a repeat.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 7 No10 BAZALGETTE (Rach Way)
Trainer: Stella Barclay – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
BAZALGETTE is a speculative selection on a card where you need to be brave to be with any confidence. The grey has had his share of issues but has ability if he cares to use it.
CHELTENHAM
Race 1 No6 FIER JAGUEN (Nap)
Trainer: Bradley Gibbs – Jockey: Mr Bradley Gibbs
Gibbs was responsible for the Foxhunters winner at the Festival in March and brings a team of three horses to the United Hunts fixture that have serious winning chances. FIER JAGUEN can start the ball rolling in this open chase. The chestnut has been a prolific scorer in points since arriving from Ireland, and was still going great guns when unseating in the Aintree Foxhunters last month. None the worse for that uncharacteristic exit, he is carded to go off short but should win.
Race 2 No11 THESHODDYTRADESMAN
Trainer: Bradley Gibbs – Jockey: Mr Bradley Gibbs
It’s point form that THESHODDYTRADESMAN brings to the table in this intermediate hunters’ chase. The seven-year-old is unbeaten in four starts between the flags, is highly regarded and as long as he handles these stiffer obstacles should prove hard to beat.
Race 5 No3 HIGHWAY JEWEL
Trainer: Bradley Gibbs – Jockey: Mr Bradley Gibbs
HIGHWAY JEWEL makes plenty of appeal in the mares’ race. She triumphed at this meeting in 2021 and has been in spectacular form in points. She has a high run-to-win record in that field, but is proven over the course and fences she engages this evening.
NEWCASTLE
Race 2 No6 SILK BIRD
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe – Jockey: Joe Garritty
One that could go under the radar in this fillies’ novice is SILK BIRD. The Free Eagle filly looked unlucky not to win last year, and though picking up only a minor cheque on reappearance at this course she’s greatly benefitted from it.
Race 7 No4 ANOTHER ANGEL (Nap)
Trainer: Antony Brittain – Jockey: Jason Hart
ANOTHER ANGEL has the best recent form and is the most likely to give his true running in this sprint handicap. He’s been restricted to all-weather racing for not far short of three years, and after an earning spree at Wolverhampton can transfer that good form to the Gosforth Park circuit.
