Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Tuesday 16 April 2024

NEWMARKET

Race 3 No7 AFRICAN SPIRIT
Trainer: Ben Brookhouse – Jockey: Rossa Ryan

AFRICAN SPIRIT switches to turf for a rematch with Bravo Zulu who beat him a neck at Southwell last month. The Showcasing gelding enjoys a swing in the weights with his conqueror and has the top-class Ryan doing the steering. In what looks a good betting heat recent scorers Crown Estate and Sisyphean should also enter calculations.

Race 4 No3 SLIPOFTHEPEN
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Kielan Shoemark

Easily the most interesting candidate for this all-aged handicap run up the Rowley Mile is the King’s SLIPOFTHEPEN. The son of Guineas winner Night of Thunder impressed in successive visits to Kempton before being floored as a 4-9 shot in a Listed race at Sandown last spring. He returns from almost a year on the sidelines, but carries good vibes to post from Clarehaven. He still has his future ahead of him, whilst of the opposition Aerion Power needs a market check on a first start since being gelded, and with Ryan Moore in the plate, while former Cambridgeshire winner Majestic has been working well and is also respected.

Race 5 No5 STARLORE
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore

Regarded as Stoute’s best juvenile last year, STARLORE failed to back up a narrow debut success at Sandown when returning to that course for the Group 3 Solario Stakes. Then on soft ground at York, he stopped as if shot to trail home last of nine in a Listed race in October. The Kingman colt has been working with his old panache and it could be wise to draw a line through what we last saw from him. He’s not the most straightforward of characters, but now is the time to find out if he possesses the X-factor.

Race 6 No4 KIKKULI (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Charlton – Jockey: Ryan Moore

As a half-brother to the mighty Frankel, all eyes will be on Kingman colt KIKKULI. He brings good course form to the table, having chased home Zoumoon on his debut over seven furlongs at the back end. He handled the very testing conditions and is going to be more streetwise for this clash with the Godolphin runner Creative Story, who chased home a good yardstick on his own introduction at Kempton.

FFOS LAS

Race 1 No2 FOLLOWANGO
Trainer: Evan Williams – Jockey: Isobel Williams

Perennial bridesmaid FOLLOWANGO was a point and bumper winner before going jumping, posting her latest success at this course last November. In four outings over hurdles, she’s gone 3223 and deserves to enjoy the rub of the green. That could happen today, as the ground, track and trip are just what she wants.

Race 5 No5 LONGSHANKS
Trainer: Kayley Woollacott – Jockey: Mr Callum Pritchard

LONGSHANKS has shown good form in two recent races with his amateur rider in the saddle. On the latest occasion, he lost no caste in defeat against stablemate Stratton Oakmont at Exeter, which has been a regular port of call for him. He’s run well in a couple of chases at this course, and should enjoy this return visit over hurdles where top weight Ballymagroarty Boy could prove his main obstacle to victory.

NEWCASTLE

Race 3 No6 PRAIRIE FALCON (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Connor Beasley

PRAIRIE FALCON and stablemate Abruzzo Mia have been carded as first and second favourites for this 1400-metre Class 4 handicap and there is a good chance one of them will prevail. Abruzzo Mio narrowly failed to post back-to-back triumphs here, with his recent defeat having been boosted. However, Prairie Falcon is in his own right a major player as he was having a first run on sand since August 2022 when short-headed over this course and distance in mid-March, a run that will have put the cutting edge onto him.

Race 5 No10 TEN DIMES (Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Jack Mitchell

TEN DIMES showed signs of greenness when making her debut here in November, yet still made a race of it with Indalo. The daughter of No Nay Never brings outstanding credentials to the table, and unless newcomer Nartaji is extra smart, should open her account.