Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Chester, Fontwell Park, Kelso and Kempton Park on 8 May 2024.
CHESTER
Race 2 No7 KODIBEAT (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
One of three first-time out winners in this hot juvenile heat, KODIBEAT can preserve her unbeaten record and earn a tilt at the Queen Mary. Though in the evening of his career, Cole remains the only trainer to have sent out the winners of every two-year-old race at Royal Ascot in the same season. He can turn back the clock with Kodibeat, who greatly impressed in scoring at Kempton, and should have more to offer.
Race 3 No11 KINGS MERCHANT
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
KINGS MERCHANT brings strong form to the table, having opened his account at Wolverhampton and seen the form boosted by the runner-up. The Bated Breath gelding is perfectly berthed against the rail, and can fend off a couple of equally in-form challengers in Knicks and Vince
Race 4 No4 FOREST FAIRY
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Beckett’s horses have been slow coming to hand, but after a quiet April, better things are expected of the Kempton trainer, who can take out this Oaks trial with FOREST FAIRY. The selection could hardly have been more impressive when scoring by six lengths on her Wolverhampton introduction. She faces a strong Irish challenge from Aidan O’Brien (Port Fairy) and Joseph O’Brien (Galileo Dame), but has been going well at home, while her trainer usually produces a genuine contender for the oncoming Epsom Classic and this could be the one.
Race 5 BOODLES CHESTER VASE (Group 3)
No4 GROSVENOR SQUARE
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
This trainer-jockey combination have dominated the first of two Derby trials run on the Roodee this week and can consolidate that record with GROSVENOR SQUARE. The Galileo colt won two of his three starts at two, latterly by a wide margin at Leopardstown, and is a close relative of Irish Derby winner Santiago. He can help soften the memory of City Of Troy’s 2,000 Guineas defeat by beating the Godolphin-owned colt Hidden Law.
Race 7 No7 ON A SESSION (Each Way)
Trainer: David Barron – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
ON A SESSION is getting his act together in a fashion that augurs well for him in this race round a lap of the racecourse. His third placing at Musselburgh begs to be improved on, while he’s racing off the same mark and enjoys the advantage of the rail.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 5 No9 SEYMOUR PROMISE (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
The blinkered SEYMOUR PROMISE was a winner when last seen at Taunton, coming home unchallenged and showing marked improvement in the process. He’s in a competitive race but looked good value for his victory margin and can defy his rise in the ratings.
Race 6 No5 SEASMOKE (Each Way)
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian – Jockey: James Bowen
One that could be worth waiting for in the first division of the mares’ novices’ limited handicap hurdle is SEASMOKE who has progressed from race to race and ran especially well when fourth off the same mark at Ludlow.
KELSO
Race 5 No4 MIGHTY MOTH (Nap)
Trainer: Noel Williams – Jockey: Robbie Dunne
MIGHTY MOTH opened her account without breaking sweat at Hereford before chasing home Finest View at Stratford on a first handicap assignment. She’s travelled a long way to contest this distaffers’ Final and needs respecting, as her jockey has been in good form recently and gets on especially well with her.
Race 7 No1 DEDICATED HERO
Trainer: Sandy Thomson – Jockey: Ryan Mania
DEDICATED HERO may have the upper hand over fellow previous winners Kingston James and Disco Davis in this intriguing bumper. The selection landed some good bets over today’s course and distance and has been given time to grow into himself since that February triumph. Kingston James bring both point and bumper-winning form into the equation and should get into the shake-up.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 3 No2 ROCHELLE (Nap)
Trainer: Kevin P De Foy – Jockey: James Doyle
ROCHELLE made no mistake at Chelmsford on a final start for Peter Chapple-Hyam and is now with Kevin Philippart De Foy. This well-regarded individual can show that she’s benefitted from her winter break and shrug off a penalty.
Race 5 No10 MIDNIGHT DRIVE
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: John Fahy
MIDNIGHT DRIVE hails from a stable whose horses are starting to hit form. The daughter of Ten Sovereigns showed gritty determination to make her first run in a handicap a winning one and can back up that success over the same course and distance.
Race 6 No6 HORSE WHISPERER
Trainer: Chris Dwyer – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
HORSE WHISPERER opened her all-weather account with a dominating display at Wolverhampton and with De Sousa in her saddle. The Invincible Spirit filly has the 1,000 Guineas winning jockey back in her saddle, and from a favourable draw should prove hard to peg back.
