Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Haydock, Catterick, Beverley, Bangor-On-Dee, Chepstow and Lingfield on 10 June 2023.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 1 No3 FINE WINE (Each Way)
Trainer: Scott Dixon – Jockey: PJ McDonald
Making the step up from handicaps to Listed or Group company is more easily achieved in the sprint division than any other. One that looks ready for such promotion is FINE WINE, who enjoyed abundant success on the all-weather as well as scoring at York last year. It was at the same track that he led for much of the journey before finishing third to Chipstead last month, and with progression virtually guaranteed he appeals as a solid win and place entity.
Race 3 No9 CUMULONIMBUS
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Harry Davies
Fellowes has done a good job with CUMULONIMBUS, who was gaining a third triumph from his last five starts when scoring at Newmarket last month. Wearing first time cheek pieces, he wore down a smart foe in Hasty Sailor, and he can now consolidate.
Race 6 No3 IN THESE SHOES (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Moore is an eye-catching booking for IN THESE SHOES whose consistent earning run continued with an authoritative comeback triumph at Beverley at the end of April. The chestnut enjoys a gap between her races, and is fully primed to make it back-to-back successes.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 2 No1 FRED BEAR
Trainer: Neil Mulholland – Jockey: Luke Morris
FRED BEAR competes from a 4lb higher mark than when he bounced clear at Salisbury but this smart dual-purpose operator might not have finished yet. That was only his second start since joining the Mulholland stable, and he probably has more to offer.
Race 7 No6 ASTAPOR (Nap)
Trainer: John Riches – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
Like Fred Bear a castoff from the Channon stable, ASTAPOR proved a determined winner over course and distance and can now make it three successes from his last four visits to the track. His battling qualities can again serve him well in this clash with Lezardrieux.
BEVERLEY
Race 1 No5 LEAP DAY (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
LEAP DAY brings strong form to the table after being denied by a whisker over today’s course and distance at the end of May. That step up in trip saw him leave a disappointing run at Thirsk well behind, and has teed him up nicely for a great opportunity to break his maiden
Race 2 No5 MIDNIGHT AFFAIR
Trainer: Richard Fahey – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
The prestigious Hilary Needler Trophy is best left to MIDNIGHT AFFAIR, who by remaining unbeaten can book her ticket for the Queen Mary. The Dark Angel filly was a good second to Soprano on debut at Newmarket and has learned from that. She should have more idea what to do, and can stave off the challenges of Never Fear and Ziggy’s Phoenix.
Race 6 No4 BERRY EDGE
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Course and distance scorer BERRY EDGE has gone 12 outings since that success, but in troubling the judge on six of his last seven starts shown that he’s overdue a return to the winner’s circle. Having Oisin Murphy in the irons today can play a big part in making that happen.
BANGOR-ON-DEE
Race 5 No3 NORLEY (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Luca Morgan
This is a tough card, with NORLEY the only recommendation for betting. He’s in a red hot feature but with a swing in the weights from his needed course and distance defeat by Heartbreak Kid he can now turn the tables.
CHEPSTOW
Race 4 No2 REDREDROBIN (Nap)
Trainer: Malcolm Saunders – Jockey: William Carson
Hat-trick seeker REDREDROBIN is a dual winner here and is going to take plenty of stopping. Saunders excels with his sprinters and especially mares, and having taken her latest success in her stride the daughter of Helmet can go in again.
Race 7 No3 GEELONG
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Mohammed Tabti
GEELONG went out very quickly at Lingfield but is now back to the correct level from which to earn. His trainer has done away with the blinkers he wore that day, and it wouldn’t be a big sunrise to see him bounce back at a fancy working man’s price.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 3 No8 WALL GAME (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Dane O’Neill
From a stable that is making a splash after a couple of sparse seasons, WALL GAME takes the eye in this big field novice stakes. The Shalaa gelding was out of his depth in a warm handicap at Newmarket last time, but compared to that is now in calmer waters and can get into the shake-up.
Race 4 No1 CHERRY COLA (Nap)
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: Rose Dawes
CHERRY COLA hacked up at Yarmouth but when trying to follow-up at this course almost certainly went for home sooner than ideal. Having been in front from three out the mare weakened and was mugged in the closing stages. She’s in great heart, and should make no mistake this time.
