Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Ascot , Pontefract , Brighton and Southwell on 30 April 2025.
ASCOT
Race 1 No2 INCA HEIGHTS (Nap)
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: David Probert
A race that can have a bearing on races like the Coventry, Windsor Castle and Norfolk Stakes here in June can fall to INCA HEIGHTS. He made an immediate splash when gunning down Private Affair at Newbury in a manner that suggests he will have greatly benefited from the experience. He will also be more street smart for this tougher test.
Race 2 No10 UNQUESTIONABLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Moore dons the Qatar silks on UNQUESTIONABLE in a Listed trial for the Group 1 Queen Anne. The race has a wide open look to it, but what’s appealing about the selection is that it’s his first run out of Herridge after joining Hannon from Ballydoyle. Furthermore his two outings last year both produced podium finishes in Group 1 company, latterly behind Rosallion in the St James’s Palace Stakes here in which he led until half a furlong from the line. There’s a strong suspicion that today is the day to catch him.
Race 3 LONGINES SAGARO STAKES (Group 3)
No1 COLTRANE
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
The Gold Cup will be part of COLTRANE’s programme this summer but first he should take care of business in this recognised trial. It’s the seventeenth Group race in succession for the 2024 winner, who has been gifted a far more straightforward assignment than when beating Caius Chorister that day, and he should make no mistake.
Race 4 eventmasters.co.uk COMMONWEALTH CUP TRIAL STAKES (Group 3)
No10 REBEL’S GAMBLE
Trainer: Karl Burke – Jockey: Clifford Lee
To the naked eye REBEL’S GAMBLE had much more in hand than it looked when he successfully graduated into Listed company at Lingfield. That was a third success in just four outings for the Dark Angel colt, who is very well bred for sprinting. His trainer is a master at getting the best out of this type of individual, who on a first run on grass can parry the challenges of BIG MOJO and ELECTROLYTE.
Race 5 No8 BLUE DAY (Each Way)
Trainer: Harry Charlton – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
BLUE DAY probably should have won more than once in a career encompassing only ten starts. That happened on an all-weather surface, and his visits to a turf track have been minimal. It means there’s some scope for progression from a stable that over the years has excelled with its sprinters. He didn’t show his best when returning at Kempton, but might have needed the run, and is worth another chance at a double figure price.
Race 6 No2 VICTORY QUEEN
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
Kingman filly VICTORY QUEEN looked useful when foiling a gamble on Zgharta at the Newmarket Craven meeting. The Godolphin- owned filly is a beautifully bred individual, and while the three-year-old distaffers that have run out of the Appleby yard have lacked consistency so far, she can prove an exception, and is one to follow.
Race 7 No6 MYTHICAL GUEST (Each Way)
Trainer: George Margarson – Jockey: Harry Burns
His colours are part of the furniture in the big handicaps here and MYTHICAL GUEST should give us a good run for our money. After posting a mid division finish in the Cambridgeshire he returned to trouble the judge in a similar race at Newmarket for which he should be all the better. In a good race for betting, Toimy Son and Brazil Power can also be included.
PONTEFRACT
Race 5 No3 SUPERPOSITION (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Dunlop – Jockey: PJ McDonald
As the least exposed member of the field and a recent winner, SUPERPOSITION looks the one to be on as the best bet on a tricky card for wagering. His success at Southwell came on a first outing following a breathing operation, and backed up the promise he’d shown in an interrupted career previously.
BRIGHTON
Race 3 No1 PACKETOFBISCUITS (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
PACKETOFBISCUITS opened his account at Wolverhampton after a couple of near misses and now has his tail up. The Showcasing gelding switches to the grass after nine outings on sand but should handle it and make it back-to-back successes.
Race 4 No6 VOIX DE BOCELLI
Trainer: Henrietta Knight – Jockey: Jason Watson
From a jumping yard that sent out a 28-1 winner on the Flat on Monday, VOUX DE BOCELLI is worth careful examination in this bottom grade handicap. He hasn’t managed to win on the Flat or hurdles, but signalled when second over course and distance the other day that he’s ready to belatedly break his duck.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No6 THIS TIME MAYBE (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: George Bass
THIS TIME MAYBE enjoyed his first visit to Southwell when nabbed by Ana Emaraaty earlier in the month. He travelled beautifully, and while the eventual winner took his measure he fought back gamely to force a photo. Bass does well with his rides for this stable, and the combination represent the best bet on the card.
Race 4 No10 WHISPERWOOD
Trainer: Ollie Sangster – Jockey: Kevin Stott
No evidence to go on but there are good vibes for WHISPERWOOD, a Kodiac filly who is bred to be quick and represents an owners group that has quickly left the ground and established itself.
