Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Epsom Downs, Ripon, Cartmel, Chepstow and Southwell on 26 August 2024.
EPSOM DOWNS
Race3 No6 HOT FASHION
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
HOT FASHION makes her first appearance since breaking her duck at Sandown Park last month and it should be another winning one. The Too Darn Hot filly flashed home to score with something up her sleeve and should enjoy this similar uphill finish in a race three-year-olds can dominate. Celtic Warrior could be one to give her some problems.
Race 5 No6 AMANCIO (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
AMANCIO can usually be relied upon to trouble the judge, and ran well on his only previous visit to this course last month. His attempt to go from the front only to be thwarted close home, but he gets the same excellent assistance from the saddle and may be ridden with a bit more restraint.
Race 6 No13 REDREDROBIN
Trainer: Malcolm Saunders – Jockey: Joe Leavy
REDREDROBIN has a habit of finding her best form at this stage of the summer. She benefitted from having crack apprentice Leavy in her saddle when scoring in tidy fashion at Chepstow, and seems nicely weighted to post another earning run from a very good draw.
RIPON
Race 1 No3 HUSCAL
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: James Doyle
Hills has by his high standards been a bit quiet of late, but I fancy him to keep up his good record with runners at this garden course with Saxon Warrior colt HUSCAL. The selection put in an eyecatching first effort with a midfield finish in Jouncy’s race at Goodwood after proving easy to back. He’s made great strides in his subsequent work at home and can open his account.
Race 3 No4 SHADOW ARMY
Trainer: Richard Fahey – Jockey: James Doyle
Fahey sets a poser by running the promising Mearall in this Listed feature as well as SHADOW ARMY. The Malton handler could easily dominate affairs, but preference is for the latter who can make his greater experience count. The Showcasing colt was placed in a Group 2 at Chantilly before not being beaten far in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh when his chance was affected by a poor start. That form makes him the clear pick in an interesting race.
CARTMEL
Race 5 No1 TOMMIE BEAU (Nap)
Trainer: Seamus Mullins – Jockey: Mickael Nolan
TOMMIE BEAU is becoming something of a Cartmel specialist and is strongly fancied to add to his laurels in this Cavendish Cup. He posted back-to-back successes over hurdles and fences in the spring and should have benefitted from a readying run over hurdles here on Saturday. He can prove a thorn in the side of hat-trick-seeking Ilkewayurthinkin.
Race 6 No6 DR SANDERSON
Tariner: Ben Haslam – Jockey: Kevin Brogan
DR SANDERSON runs with the consistency of a Swiss watch and should make this a seventh-earning run at this venue in as many starts. Since his sequence started in May he’s gone 341323 and knows the chase track like the back of his own hoof. He can post a popular triumph in the silks of JP McManus.
CHEPSTOW
Race 1 No8 OUTER EDGE
Trainer: Christopher Mason – Jockey: Gina Mangan
Mangan has gelled with OUTER EDGE and especially when guiding him home over this course and distance earlier in the month. The gelding is edging up in the weights, but with his liking of this track can make it back-to-back successes.
Race 3 No3 DALMALLY (Nap)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Tom Marquand
DALMALLY sets a good standard for the others to aim at after taking away a cheque in both starts and the Highland Reel colt can get the better of Enchanted Eye, who also brings good place form to the table.
Race 4 No6 KALAMA SUNRISE
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
KALAMA SUNRISE benefitted from an enterprising ride to return to winning ways at this course earlier in the month. It formed her fifth win of the season, and makes her the one to beat in the best race on the card, although respect is also afforded to Lady Flora and top-weight Stockpyle.
SOUTHWELL
Race 8 No1 JUDGEMENTOFSOLOMON (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
JUDGEMENTOFSOLOMON makes sense as a bet to wait for on this tricky card for betting. Not only is he stepping up the trip ladder, but it’s his first run since being gelded, and his trainer should have him spot on.
