Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Brighton, Ayr, Wetherby and Windsor on 3 June 2024.
BRIGHTON
Race 3 No1 ALSHIMALI (Each Way)
Trainer: Marcus Tregoning – Jockey: Jim Crowley
Although he’s yet to trouble the judge, ALSHIMALI could well find handicapping a more pleasurable and rewarding experience. The Invincible Spirit colt started at 200-1 when obtaining his opening mark with a lacklustre effort at Lingfield, but I shall monitor the market as there could well be money for him.
Race 4 No4 SHALFA (Each Way)
Trainer: Lydia Richards – Jockey: Rhys Clutterbuck
SHALFA won here last September and also in 2022. The mare took out a Class5 at Lingfield in a switch of headgear in January, and was not at all disgraced when fifth on her hurdling debut at Plumpton last month. That could have re-energised the chestnut, who at around 10-1 looks overpriced.
Race 5 No6 MUDLAHHIM (Each Way)
Trainer: Scott Dixon – Jockey: Kieran O’Neill
Figures of 444233 tell a story about MUDLAHHIM, who needs everything to drop right and is hard to win with. However, there could be a decent pace for him to aim at in this bottom-level race over a mile, and when flashing home when the birds had already flown here last week he at least advertised his well-being.
AYR
Race 3 No8 DARKER (Each Way)
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: James Sullivan
DARKER is another who could do with a change of luck and he could get it on a first visit of the season to this track. He raised his game to chase home Desert Dream when returning to turf over course and distance last week, and though the ground is drying up all the time it won’t bother him.
Race 5 No1 AYR POET (Nap)
Trainer: Jim Goldie – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
AYR POET is with five successes here something of a standing dish, and it was encouraging for his connections to see him stay on for a minor cheque on seasonal reappearance last month. That effort is thought to have done him the power of good, and now eased in grade he can return to winning ways.
Race 6 No1 BOWMAN
Trainer: Danny Brooke – Jockey: Jack Garritty
BOWMAN has clearly benefitted from a change of stable. After his move from Epsom to North Yorkshire he won at Catterick, before narrowly failing to follow up at this course. The six-year-old has remained on the same mark and if turning up in similar form should make it two from 3 for Brooke.
WETHERBY
Race 3 No2 STRIVE
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Hayley Turner
STRIVE a made all to open his account at Newcastle but in this step up in trip, it’s not certain that he will try to repeat the enterprising tactics. He’s now fitted with a hood, suggesting Turner may try to settle him in a stalking roll, which if successful can help him to follow up.
Race 5 No15 HIGHWAYGREY (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Duran Fentiman
HIGHWAYGREY looked like a horse on the cusp of a return to winning form when in the money on his second start of the campaign at Ayr. I fancy him to get a win to the shake-up in this competitive heat in which TANGO MAN is a very interesting foe, and worth a market check.
WINDSOR
Race 3 No9 RED PIXIE
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
RED PIXIE travelled sweetly but was unable to complete the job when third to Run Away on her first run back at Yarmouth. The form wasn’t done any favours by the winner when she was out of the money at Doncaster on Saturday night, but it is worth siding with my Nap, who worked beautifully on Long Hill the other day and can open her account.
Race 4 No7 BLUE DAY (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Charlton – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
BLUE DAY absolutely bolted up at Southwell five weeks ago, and while that wasn’t the warmest of contests he could do no more than win with panache. I wasn’t surprised to see him given a 7lb rise, which though supposed to make life difficult for him may well not, as he’s highly thought of at Beckhampton.
Race 8 No10 RING OF LIGHT (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
RING OF LIGHT put in an eye-taking first run back at Windsor but was unable to better it at Bath. Having been sidelined for 18 months before Windsor he may well have bounced, and even though this looks tough he can get involved along with GREY FOX.
