Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Redcar, Kempton Park, Wolverhampton, Plumpton, Chepstow and Huntingdon on 10 April 2023.
REDCAR
Race 5 No4 DARKNESS (Each Way)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Jason Watson
DARKNESS takes the eye-breaking from stall 1 in this race around a left-handed bend. A Listed winner in France who was not disgraced in four Group race appearances, he didn’t manage to add to his laurels in a first season here, but is now in a Class 3 and if ready from his break can trouble the best of these.
Race 6 No5 MARSHAL DAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Heather Main – Jockey: Joshua Bryan
Though not the most consistent of performers, MARSHAL DAN needs taking seriously in another wide-open handicap. He’s been a fine servant to his owners and shown in the past that he can operate on his first run of the season. And the evidence of his soft ground triumph at Newbury and fourth in Listed company at Doncaster last back end points to him having improved.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 2 No1 DANCING GODDESS (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
All five fillies in this conditions race are previous winners, but the one most likely to reach for elevated heights is Godolphin’s contender DANCING GODDESS. The daughter of Dubawi could hardly have been more impressive when scoring on her debut here back in November, and Appleby will have her nicely tuned to show by remaining unbeaten that she has Group race potential.
Race 4 No7 HMS PRESIDENT (Each Way)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
HMS PRESIDENT regularly earned at this level last year, and has changed stables in the close season. Surprisingly this is only his fourth start on sand, but previous all-weather efforts have seen him win and place twice. He should give his followers a lot more fun through the 2023 campaign.
Race 6 No3 AUSTRIAN THEORY (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Joe Fanning
AUSTRIAN THEORY was three times Group placed as a two-year-old, and while underwhelming on a few occasions last year could be one to catch on his first run back. He’s the only one returning from a long winter break, but the vibes from Middleham are that he’s ready.
Race 7 No10 INGRA TOR (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Ben Curtis
INGRA TOR might have gone close on latest start at Wolverhampton if he hadn’t blown the start. He stayed on to finish fourth behind Dubai Station, and though faced with a tough draw has the class to turn the tables on that rival under a jockey who does well for the yard on the few occasions he rides for it.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 2 No1 OLD HARROVIAN (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Callum Hutchinson
OLD HARROVIAN is an impressive galloper whose recent course success makes him the one to beat under a penalty. While this is not a gimme for the Sea The Stars gelding, he can stave off the threat of market rival Active Duty.
Race 7 No6 UNDER THE TWILIGHT (Each Way)
Trainer: M Blake – Jockey: David Probert
There should be some value in UNDER THE TWILIGHT even though she’s been handed the worst of the draw in this sprint. The Twilight Son mare was beaten into fourth in a blanket finish here last time, and should step up from what was just a second start since joining her trainer.
PLUMPTON
Race 6 No4 DELGANY MONARCH
Trainer: Richard Rowe – Jockey: Tabitha Worsley
Locally-trained DELGANY MONARCH doesn’t do anything in a hurry, but in fairness to him he’s improved with each race since switching to fences this season. The chestnut competes over the same marathon distance as when second here on a first visit to the course, and can deservedly open his account.
Race 7 No7 HIGHWAY ONE O FIVE (Nap)
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
The best bet on the card is HIGHWAY ONE O FIVE in the nightcap. He troubled the judge in a better race than this on his Kempton introduction, while carries colours synonymous with numerous winners for the Gordon stable. If making normal progress he should make no mistake.
CHEPSTOW
Race 3 No8 STORMY FLIGHT
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Lorcan Williams
STORMY FLIGHT made a costly mistake at Wincanton and is arguably a winner without a penalty in this three-mile handicap chase. He’s been running well this year, and can take full advantage of the 16 lb he receives from top weight Ramses De Teillee.
Race 4 No1 ANGEL’S BREATH (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Although coming with risks attached, ANGEL’S BREATH is worth chancing because if he’s right he will win. The grey was returning from a lengthy and enforced absence when pulled up at Kempton in January, but if able to dominate this field he might not come back. His trainer is amongst the winners and could be set for a red letter day.
Race 6 No5 BALLYBEEN
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
BALLYBEEN has looked better in his short career as a chaser than he was over hurdles, finishing second at Hereford and Fontwell. This is in some part down to the effects of a breathing operation in the close season, and although this race has an open look he’s more likely than most of them to produce the goods.
Race 7 No6 VINCENZO
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Doctor Dino gelding VINCENZO did not go unsupported when taking away a minor cheque on his debut under Rules at Bangor last autumn. He’s been given plenty of time to develop into his frame, and for top connections can take out this first of the concluding bumpers.
HUNTINGDON
Race 2 No2 IMPOSE TOI (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Brentford Hope has transferred his smart Flat form to jumping but could be up against a well above-average foe in IMPOSE TOI who opened his account with impressive ease at Exeter. The five-year-old was a dual scorer in French bumpers and looks a useful addition to the arsenal of owner JP McManus.
Race 3 No1 LUCKOFTHEDRAW
Trainer: Toby Bulgin – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
A change of scenery seems to have unlocked the door for LUCKOFTHEDRAW who since changing stables has posted three chase successes and been in the money on five other occasions. Buoyed by a clear cut delivery over this course and distance last month, he can use his track craft to good effect and follow-up.
Race 4 No4 EYED
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
EYED gave his trainer a first winner in almost two years when scoring here two weeks ago. That improved effort happened with a first-time tongue tie, and if his breathing again stands the test the six-year-old has every chance of going back-to-back, though Titanium Bullet is also a must for exactas and swingers based on his good performance here last time.
