Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket, Cheltenham and Kempton Park on 17 April 2024.
NEWMARKET
Race 2 No7 NARKEZ
Trainer: Andre Fabre – Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
Over the years it’s paid to sit up and take notice when Fabre brings his horses to racing’s HQ. The presence of NARKEV in this Listed race should send out a warning to the opposition, and the Siyouni colt not only brings very good form to the table but could also have a fitness edge, having returned to action with a wide margin victory in heavy ground at Saint-Cloud. As long as he’s effective on this quicker terrain he can complete a fine hat-trick.
Race 3 EARL OF SEFTON STAKES ( Group 3)
No7 OTTOMAN FLEET
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
OTTOMAN FLEET can spark a good day for Godolphin with victory in the first of two Pattern races on the card. A world traveller, he chased the shadow of the very smart Measured Time in a Group 2 and a Group 1 at the Dubai Carnival and was under a cloud when underwhelming in the Group 2 Singspiel Stakes on a final run at Meydan. A winner in three continents, he’s capable of putting that reverse behind him, having worked well in his build up to this.
Race 4 LANWADES STUD NELL GWYN STAKES (Group 3)
No2 DANCE SEQUENCE (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
All eyes will be on DANCE SEQUENCE as she attempts to remain unbeaten and state her case for the 1,000 Guineas here three weeks hence. The daughter of Dubawi displayed a penchant for both Newmarket courses last year, opening her account on the July course in the summer before gamely resisting Skellet in the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes in October. She’s delighted her trainer with her physical progression through the winter and can make short work of her rivals in this traditional trial.
Race 7 No3 CITY BURGLAR
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Cracksman colt CITY BURGLAR was never better than at the end of his 2023 campaign, landing some good bets at the Ayr Western meeting in late September. He’d run into decent opposition in previous defeats, and with today’s extra quarter mile sure to suit, he can run down paper favourite Stormy Waves, who turns up with an almost identical profile.
CHELTENHAM
Race 1 No4 LEADER IN THE PARK (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
Pauling has strength in depth amongst his novice hurdlers, a point that LEADER IN THE PARK can hammer home with victory in the opener. This embryonic chaser came home unchallenged after attracting plenty of market support on his latest start at Doncaster, and impressed me as a horse that could have plenty more to offer.
Race 3 No4 SAIL AWAY
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
SAIL AWAY is a horse we haven’t seen the best of this season. In a select campaign he’s picked up minor cheques at Doncaster and Ascot, and on the first occasion would have finished closer but for several fences being taken out owing to a low sun. More interesting is that it was at this stage of the 2022/23 season that he found his forte, posting a resounding victory at Ayr, where he will surely be heading after this.
Race 7 No2 OUR CHAMP
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Freddie Gordon
Having run his rivals ragged in the Sussex Champion Hurdle, OUR CHAMP gets the chance to further demonstrate how much more effective he is following a breathing operation. He was an authoritative winner of that handicap and Freddie Gordon has ridden him to victory at this course. The drying ground will also help him.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 6 No4 ROSY KISS (Nap)
Trainer: Marco Botti – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Doyle has set up a good rapport with Botti, and she could be on the likely winner of this three-year-old only handicap in ROSY KISS, who though less experienced than the vast majority in the field looks poised for a bold showing from a favourable draw.
Race 7 No1 MIDNIGHT DRIVE ( Each Way)
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: John Fahy
This is a fairly compressed handicap which encourages me that MIDNIGHT DRIVE can be a factor despite having to concede weight all round. The daughter of Ten Sovereigns shaped well on her third outing to obtain a handicap mark, and on a track where the draw is important, she’s nicely berthed three off the fence.
