Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Ripon, Worcester, Chepstow and Ayr on 10 July 2023.
RIPON
Race 4 No5 COVERDALE (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
COVERDALE is the oasis in a betting desert at this garden course as he attempts to extend his unbeaten sequence this season to four. The gelded son of Expert Eye hacked up on his return to action at Redcar, and though made to fight for the spoils in subsequent outings at Nottingham and Haydock is one of those horses that seems to know where the winning post is. With his stable maintaining a sizzling strike-rate he is worth supporting, as he has done us numerous favours and owes us nothing.
WORCESTER
Race 3 No6 THIRTYFOUR THIRTY (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Having lost no caste in defeat when second on his debut over this course and distance, THIRTYFOUR THIRTY can parry the attentions of well-related newcomer Professor Higgins. The Telescope gelding will be more streetwise, and can take the spoils in the colours of his trainer.
Race 4 No1 SOLDAT FORTE
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Several hold claims in the novices’ hurdle, but SOLDAT FORTE can prove the pick. He’s looked an improved operator since returning from a wind op, having won over hurdles and placed in each of his other four starts. His form in two match-ups with the useful Our Scholar make him the one they have to beat.
Race 6 No4 KARAVOMYLOS
Trainer: Peter Bowen – Jockey: Sean Bowen
KARAVOMYLOS landed some good bets when having his tongue tied down for the first time at Uttoxeter. It was deserved reward for a couple of previous near-misses, and as it was only his sixth start under Rules there should be more to come.
AYR
Race 1 No4 INDIVIDUALISM (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Joe Fanning
The Johnstons have introduced a number of their best juveniles at this course including the exceptional Shamardal. There are very good vibes surrounding INDIVIDUALISM who is from the first crop of Too Darn Hot. He faces a couple of rivals with good public form to their names, but if the reports are on the mark he could be too good for them.
Race 3 No1 BERRY EDGE
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Connor Beasley
BERRY EDGE represents a stable with a few winning chances on this card, and one that’s found a rich vein of form. The blinkered gelding has hit the crossbar a few times, but is worth persevering with to notch a deserved first success of the campaign.
Race 5 No9 PHOENIX FIRE (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Mark Winn
From the same stable PHOENIX FIRE gets the vote and can repel his barnmate POL ROGER. The last-named horse would be dangerous if recapturing the best of his two-year-old form and is worth a saver, but he’s become unreliable and is risky, whereas Phoenix Fire has few miles on his racing clock and looks like a horse getting ready to win. That was mirrored in a promising run when second at Haydock, and one that can be improved upon.
CHEPSTOW
Race 2 No1 BIG BROWN BEAR (Nap)
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton – Jockey: Charles Bishop
BIG BROWN BEAR came within an ace of getting off the mark when losing out in a close photo at Brighton and after two career starts is ready to put his best foot forward. The Kodiac gelding knows his job, and should have too much for newcomer Loaded Quiver to handle.
Race 5 No3 ON EDGE (Each Way)
Trainer: C Mason – Jockey: Gina Mangan
ON EDGE is an attractive betting proposition back at the scene of his only career success. Since that win he’s regularly troubled the judge, his one poor display happening when tried on the all-weather. Another earning display at Windsor last time suggests he’s ready to bring his best form back to the table.
