Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Goodwood, Brighton, Thirsk, Haydock Park and Bath on 9 June 2023.
GOODWOOD
Race 1 No3 TRAIS FLUORS (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
TRAIS FLUORS saw too much daylight on the outer before staying on to force a shared cheque for third at Windsor on Monday. The veteran is undoubtedly well handicapped should any of his old ability remain, and is worth another chance.
Race 5 No6 WHISTLEDOWN (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
Dawes has ridden roan filly WHISTLEDOWN in much of her work at West Ilsley. The daughter of Gregorian is fit for this belated reappearance, and can belie with an earning run her position as the outsider of the party.
BRIGHTON
Race 4 No9 SUN FESTIVAL (Nap)
Trainer: Joseph Parr – Jockey: Neil Callan
SUN FESTIVAL faces mainly out of form foes in this classified race and will rarely encounter a better opportunity to convert. A repeat of either of his last two efforts when second at Windsor and then Wolverhampton would be sufficient to see him safe home.
Race 5 No4 JONOESQUE
Trainer: John Gallagher – Jockey: Darragh Keenan
Course specialist JUNOESQUE has raced here on 18 of her last twenty two starts and knows every blade of grass from Wilson Avenue to the finishing post. The mare underwhelmed at Kempton but had previously acquitted herself well on two races at this track, where her front running tactics couldn’t quite see her last out. Dominating in this smaller field might improve her chances against hat-trick seeking Glenister.
THIRSK
Race 4 No2 MOUNT KING (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Duran Fentiman
MOUNT KING represents a stable that hasn’t quite got into gear, but in posting frame finishes in all three 2023 outings has mirrored the ability he showed with previous trainer Joseph O’Brien. The chestnut has now had sufficient time to settle into his surroundings at Habton Grange and is a lively win and place prospect.
Race 6 No1 KNIGHTSWOOD (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Joe Fanning
Although he will start at prohibitive odds, KNIGHTSWOOD should make short work of the opposition. He took care of business with something to spare at Ripon last week, while it was at this stage of last season that he posted back-to-back triumphs.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 2 No1 RULING DYNASTY
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: James Doyle
In spite of having to carry a penalty RULING DYNASTY can successfully concede stacks of weight to his opponents in this novice stakes. The gives a stone and a half to the colts and almost two stone to the only filly in the field, but he should deliver at the main expense of King Of The Plains.
Race 5 No1 ANCIENT WISDOM (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: James Doyle
My best news in a field of unraced juveniles is Godolphin’s ANCIENT WISDOM. The Dubawi colt hails from a good winning family, and although bred for middle distances has the speed to take care of business over this seven furlongs.
BATH
Race 1 No1 TROOPER BISDEE (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
Under a 6lb penalty for his resounding Yarmouth success, TROOPER BISDEE can serve up a carbon copy performance as the best bet on this card. The Australia side of his pedigree came out on that first run in a handicap, and he’s the type that could easily run up a sequence operating at the smaller courses.
Race 4 No9 PHOENIX MOON (Each Way)
Trainer: Denis Coakley – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Several in this novice have earned, but a clever bet at a big price could be newcomer PHOENIX MOON. The daughter of Phoenix Of Spain has an eye catching jockey in her saddle, and after showing ability at home represents speculative value.
