Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Friday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, Wolverhampton, Epsom Downs, Newmarket and Thirsk on 18 August 2023.
NEWBURY
Race 1 No2 BOURGEOISIE (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
Hollywoodbets history could me made should BOURGEOISIE, who is the bookmakers’ first horse trained in England, land this fillies’ novice. She brings strong form to the table after a couple of narrow defeats and can have the measure of market rival Al Hujaila.
Race 4 No6 JUNIPER BERRIES
Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton – Jockey: Charles Bishop
The featured Listed prize can fall to JUNIPER BERRIES, who had Make It Easy behind when chasing home Flora Of Bermuda at Goodwood. The selection had previously run well in the Super Sprint at this course, and on a line through Relief Rally holds a good earning chance. Make It Easy had no luck in running in the Goodwood race and can narrow the gap, making her to have a saver on.
Race 5 No11 CHELSEA SQUARE (Each Way)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
CHELSEA SQUARE didn’t show up on her handicap bow at York but is surely a lot better than his effort indicates. The lightly-raced gelding had shown earlier promise when second at this track and remains one to have on your side in a race where those at the base of the weights can do well.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 4 No7 DOUBLE OBAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Hugo Palmer – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
DOUBLE OBAN is not an obvious choice in this stayers’ handicap but he’s got to be of interest taking a class drop and moving further up the distance ladder. Although not one to do anything in a hurry, he should enjoy this switch to the all-weather, having shown promise on the second of two early season starts on sand.
EPSOM DOWNS
Race 1 No1 THE SMILING WOLF
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
Twilight Son colt THE SMILING WOLF has a better chance than his position in the market indicates. In this first handicap assignment, he enjoys a perfect draw that could help him get onto the lead. He’s a diminutive individual but is well balanced, and Dawes’ 5lb claim can prove a big factor in his performance off top weight.
Race 4 No4 PLATINUM PRINCE
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: Harry Davies
PLATINUM PRINCE has been on the prowl for a first 2023 success with a sequence of earning efforts, and it would be no surprise to see him take the spoils. His consistency can prove a big card although it mainly be worth linking him in swingers, trifectas and quartets with Lexington Hero, who can also get into the shake-up.
Race 5 No1 REDREDROBIN (Nap)
Trainer: Malcolm Saunders – Jockey: William Carson
REDREDROBIN is an agile mare who has also shown an affinity for this switchback course, scoring here on her last two starts over seven furlongs. She’s also built up a fine understanding with her jockey who has prevailed on three of the five occasions he’s ridden her.
NEWMARKET
Race 6 No9 SUDDEN AMBUSH (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
On a tricky card at HQ it might prove best to wait for SUDDEN AMBUSH in the nightcap. The Cracksman colt refused to be denied at Windsor last time and has enjoyed a seven-week freshening break. From just a 1lb higher mark he holds every chance of going back-to-back.
THIRSK
Race 4 No5 KINGS MERCHANT (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
KINGS MERCHANT shaped with considerable promise to fail by a whisker against the more experienced Project Geofin at Newcastle. He’s come on for that sterling effort, and as a more streetwise operator can outgun Jungle Jim.
Race 7 No7 PRINCE ACHILE
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe – Jockey: Joe Garritty
PRINCE ACHILE can provide a boost for a stable that has struggled this year. The four-year-old is a model of consistency and can confirm recent course and distance placings with Jamih To make this a sixth earning run on the trot.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)
1, 5 x 9, 8, 13 x 5, 4 x 7, 3, 9 x 1, 5 x 7, 3 x 12, 4
R288
