Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Worcester, Ayr, Southwell, Windsor and Newcastle on 8 May 2023.
WORCESTER
Race 3 No6 MY FERNANDO (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Brookhouse – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
Ideal Des Bordes represents top connections and will command plenty of respect in the betting market for this bumper but MY FERNANDO is a value option worth taking. Representing a trainer who has made a great start as a licence holder, the selection earned on his debut at this course. He can cash in on his knowledge of terrain from his new yard.
Race 4 No3 IDEALES VILLERETS
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
IDEALES VILLERETS earned in all six starts in bumpers and over hurdles before his switch to the McCain stable. He, therefore, brings solid form claims to the table, and if producing even a semblance of improvement should open his account.
Race 6 No4 COME ON GRUFF (Nap)
Trainer: Tom George – Jockey: Harry Cobden
COME ON GRUFF has everything going for him in this handicap hurdle and will be all the better for his staying on effort at Exeter last month, which was the seven-year-old’s first outing in more than four months. He had a good blow afterwards and comes here a fresh horse, with the best still to be seen of him.
Race 8 No1 HORN CAPE
Trainer: Ben Haslam – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
A change of stable has assisted HORN CAPE to produce on the race course the ability he’s always shown at home. The grey has displayed a penchant for plenty of cut on the ground and has his tail up after those clear cut successes at Sedgefield and Hexham
AYR
Race 3 No7 MORNING SUN
Trainer: Keith Dalgleish – Jockey: Billy Garritty
MORNING SUN put in an eye-catching effort when coming from well off the pace to earn on his debut for Dalgleish at Redcar. The lightly-raced gelding is going to be sharper and looks one of the best betting options of the day as he nudges up the class ladder into Class 4.
Race 4 No6 MOUNT KING
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Duran Fentiman
MOUNT KING was no match for Vetiver at Beverley but it was nevertheless a very pleasing first run back by the chestnut who meets nothing of that calibre here. A cast off from Ballydoyle, he should build on it and open his account at the main expense of Eagle Day.
SOUTHWELL
Race 5 No5 SAVVY BRILLIANCE
Trainer: Sean Woods – Jockey: Ben Curtis
It could be worth chancing SAVVY BRILLIANCE for whom a market check is strongly recommended. The Cracksman colt showed ability on both outings last year, and while this run will earn him a mark, it looks winnable for a trainer whose horses are running into form.
Race 6 No1 SOUTH DAKOTA SIOUX
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Jason Watson
Hat-trick seeker Wildfell should take out a good chunk of the betting handle on this three-year-old-only contest, but now that he’s put his head in front SOUTH DAKOTA SIOUX is the one to side with. His game success at Wolverhampton has earned him a 6lb penalty, but taking into account the confidence gained from that, he can make light of his burden in a tight-knit handicap.
WINDSOR
Race 2 No1 REVENUE (Nap)
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton – Jockey: Charles Bishop
Johnson Houghton has made a flying start with her juveniles of whom REVENUE is very well regarded at Woodway Stables. The son of Profitable eased to victory on his Brighton introduction, and while that might not be the most conventional place for a Royal Ascot type to surface he will experience a flat surface today on which he can stave off the attentions of newcomer Palmar Bay.
Race 5 No3 BUCEPHALUS
Trainer: Neil Mulholland – Jockey: Rose Dawes
BUCHEPHALUS was a ready scorer at Doncaster before appearing to find his latest race an insufficient stamina test when well beaten at Newmarket. There was plenty of support for him on that occasion, and now back to a mile and a quarter the six-year-old can show his true colours.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No1 COPPICE (Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Rab Havlin
Plenty of money went west on COPPICE in the Nell Gwyn when the daughter of Kingman raced on the less favoured side of the track. In much calmer waters in this fillies’ novice stakes, she should outclass her foes and open her account.
Race 6 No3 BANQUO
Trainer: Julie Camacho – Jockey: Graham Lee
BANQUO lost a shoe when gambled on at Southwell yet still kept on the claim a minor cheque. He’s likely to appreciate this step up to seven furlongs and make his first run in handicap company a winning one.
