Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket, Ripon and Stratford on 19 May 2024.
NEWMARKET
Race 3 No3 MAHBOOB (Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Jim Crowley
Unbeaten MAHBOOB has impressed in back-to-back successes at Lingfield and might not have been over-taxed with his opening mark of 91. The Sea The Stars gelding faces several solid opponents but is in the right hands to graduate through the ranks and on this occasion repel the challenges of Daysofourlives and Gloucestershire.
Race 4 No5 DOUBLE TIME ( Each Way)
Trainer: Sir Mark Todd – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
DOUBLE TIME looked like a horse on the cusp of a seasonal breakthrough when second at Yarmouth. Narrowly denied on that occasion, he can cope with a 3lb rise in the weights to parry the attentions of Feel The Need, who with a similar profile is well worth a saver and inclusion in all exacta, trifecta and quartet permutations.
Race 5 No9 JIMMY SPEAKING ( Each Way)
Trainer: Chris Dwyer – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
JIMMY SPEAKING is not the easiest of rides, and all credit to De Sousa for getting the best out of him. When scoring at Ascot last time the gelding wasted energy and ground by galloping with an awkward head carriage, making his victory all the more meritorious. It’s no surprise to see him wearing first-time cheekpieces for this hat-trick bid, which he can convert.
Race 7 No4 ASTRAL SPIRIT (Each Way)
Trainer: Pam Sly – Jockey: Shane Kelly
ASTRAL SPIRIT made the perfect start to the campaign with her game success at Wetherby. After a sequence of near misses in 2023 it suggests the Charm Spirit filly has turned a corner, and she can now consolidate by thwarting the unexposed Sunfall.
RIPON
Race 5 No10 GOLDEN MELODY
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
GOLDEN MELODY has twice gone close this year and especially over this course and distance last time. She’s gone up a couple of pounds but remains handily treated. As long as she enjoys a smart break from her outer draw she can be equally competitive.
Race 6 No5 COIN POWER (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
COIN POWER was ultimately beaten a long way on his return to action at Pontefract, but I expect the chestnut to build on that today. Easy to back for that first run in a handicap, he cruised into contention facing up to the final furlong and a half only to blow up. If that has made him sharper a big run is in store and I will pay to find out.
Race 7 No1 TEES GEORGE
Trainer: Adrian Nicholls – Jockey: Paddy Mathers
TEES GEORGE did his best work at the finish when fourth on a first run of the season at Doncaster over seven furlongs. Granted how well he was finishing today’s step up to a mile should benefit him, and he’s ideally drawn to achieve a handy stalking position from which he can build in the home straight.
STRATFORD
Race 3 No5 PETTY CASH
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
PETTY CASH has not been without his problems but appeals as the one that could show progression in this handicap chase. He’s the perfect stamp for fences, and when last seen showed flashes of his old ability, from which he can build.
