Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Newton Abbot, Nottingham, Newbury, Ripon and Kempton Park on 7 June 2023.
NEWTON ABBOT
Race 1 No7 SILVIES DANCE
Trainer: Kayley Woollacott – Jockey: Mr Joshua Newman
Basford will most likely dominate the market for this novices’ hurdle, but could find Ditcheat cast off SILVIES DANCE a formidable foe. The selection finished second in a big field on only her second outing over jumps at Chepstow in March and can take full advantage of the stone she receives from her rival, and that’s not 8ncludingnher capable amateur’s 5lb claim.
Race 2 No4 COOLNAUGH HAZE
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Elizabeth Gale
COOLNAUGH HAZE has performed well in three of his four outings through the spring under the same conditional that rides him today. The combination went down in a close photo at Warwick last time, and are in a good place to go be better with all boxes ticked.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 5 No6 SINGLE
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
SINGLE ran well in a better race than this on seasonal return at Newmarket but saw too much daylight when just out of the money at Goodwood. She’s in calmer waters in this Class 4, with my only concern the small number of runners, as she needs to get plenty of cover to show her best. As long as that happens she has a great chance to bounce back.
Race 6 No4 ABU ROYAL
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Rob Hornby
In a race where it’s hard to rule anything out, ABU ROYAL can emerge triumphant. The Dark Angel colt landed some good bets when opening his account at Ayr and should go further forward now in a handicap. He should have too many guns for the more exposed Gulmarg and Starnberg.
NEWBURY
Race 2 No9 CARMARTHEN (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
Not to be confused with this trainer’s Guineas and Oaks placed Caernarfon, CARMARTHEN can earn on debut following some promising work at West Ilsley. The daughter of Havana Gold will improve for the race, but has the ability to run into the money even if she does run green.
Race3 No7 SON (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Pat Dobbs
In spite of a pronounced market drift SON ran a cracker on his Ascot introduction. The son of Too Darn Hot appeared clueless in the early stages, but picked up when the penny dropped to finish best of all in third behind Natural Force. He is going to be a lot more streetwise, and is napped to open his account.
Race 7 No3 SALIGO BAY
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: Rhys Clutterbuck
SALIGO BAY landed a minor touch at Windsor to show that in spite of enduring training issues, he’s retained the lion’s share of his old ability. Out for more off a 3lb higher mark, he can make short work of his mainly out-of-form opponents.
Race 8 No1 NADER KING
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Jim Crowley
NADER KING buckled down in gritty fashion to get home in a close photo at Nottingham. Given plenty of time to recover from those exertions, the Camelot colt should have plenty more to offer on this handicap bow, on a track that will suit his style of racing.
RIPON
Race 6 No4 PARLIAMENT HILL (Nap)
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: PJ McDonald
Making a first outing on the Flat since his move from Ireland in the summer of 2021, PARLIAMENT HILL could be well treated at the bottom of what is an admittedly compressed handicap. A winner over hurdles and fences, he’s carded to start as the outsider of four, but appeals as the most likely winner.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 4 No8 NEW BUSINESS
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Orchid Bloom ran well at Chester and will be the go-to horse for many, but at the respective prices NEW BUSINESS makes greater appeal. The son of Sea The Stars finished third to Passenger in the Wood Ditton, form which has been boosted, and found himself in another good race when fourth behind Mostabshir at York. He has a good draw from which to put his best foot forward.
Race 5 No6 LUNATICK (Each Way)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
This looks a good betting heat and the two I like are Ertebat and LUNATICK. Ertebat will relish the step up to seven furlongs but doesn’t have as good a draw as Lunatick, who showed the benefit of wind surgery when chasing home Peach Man at Windsor. Back on Polytrack and on handicap debut, he is a solid betting proposition for a trainer that is always respected with this type of horse.
Race 6 No4 PREPENSE (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
PREPENSE is the nicest horse on view at this meeting and gets the vote even though she’s been handed a horrible draw on the outer in a field of 11. The Kingman filly will need her skates on at the start in order to obtain cover, but possesses the necessity gears to take care of business even if turning in (to the straight) further back than ideal. She’s been given plenty of time since opening account at Newmarket, and is definitely a filly to follow.
Race 8 No2 HAVAILA
Trainer: Milton Harris – Jockey: William Buick
HAVAILA is a progression filly who jumps off the page as one that can take away a big cheque in the nightcap. She returned to the Flat to make Crescent Lake fight for the spoils at Goodwood and will be happier moving up to two miles, the distance at which she scored by 75 lengths in a Fakenham hurdle. Furthermore, Buick is an eye-taking booking for her.
