Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Ripon, Epsom Downs, Chepstow, Southwell and Cartmel on 28 August 2023
RIPON
Race 1 No1 JERSEY ROCKS
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: William Buick
JERSEY ROCKS has speed on both sides of his pedigree, and showed good natural pace when finding only one to beat him on debut. He’s benefitted from that initial experience and is going to know more for a trainer with a good record here, and a top class jockey doing the steering.
Race 3 No6 TASK FORCE
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
This Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy usually falls to a decent juvenile, and even though he lacks the experience of his foes TASK FORCE can propel himself towards top targets by preserving his unbeaten record. The son of Frankel justified solid backing when coming home unchallenged on his Salisbury debut and should have a lot more to give. He just needs to show he’s learned from that to repel Seven Questions, who is chasing a four-timer.
Race 4 No4 KATHAB (Nap)
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand
The way KATHAB picked up to take a gap on the rail and score with authority at Haydock augurs well for this progressive type completing a fine hat-trick. His trainer didn’t enjoy the rub of the green with his runners at York but this gelded son of Kingman is right in the zone, and can win again.
EPSOM DOWNS
Race 2 No5 NEW BUSINESS
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
NEW BUSINESS is unexposed whilst his opponents in this Class3 have had many more chances. The Sea The Stars colt was only two and a half lengths adrift of the winner when fourth to Classic on handicap bow at Sandown and could easily leave that effort behind as one of only two three-year-olds in this field.
Race 3 No11 BELGOPRINCE (Nap)
Trainer: Tony Martin – Jockey: Mr B Coonan
Martin has to be respected with his runners from Ireland both over jumps and on the Flat. His BELGOPRINCE is a likely winner of the traditional Amateur Riders’ Derby after a gritty win at Tipperary and second at Killarney. Also successful on the level in France, he gets this mile and a half extremely well, and has the balance and brawn to handle the unique Epsom undulations.
Race 5 No2 TRAIS FLUORS (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
Veteran TRAIS FLUORS was forced from a bad drawn to make his own running to make him a sitting duck in an apprentice race at Sandown the other day. He’s again been handed an awkward spot in the gate, but on a first visit to this track can get into the shake-up.
CHEPSTOW
Race 2 No9 MIGUEL (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey George Bass
MIGUEL gave promise for the future when second on his debut at this course only to try to get under the stalls and have to be withdrawn at Windsor. The Phoenix Of Spain colt has worked stylishly since passing a stalls test and has a big chance to open his account.
Race 4 No6 REDREDROBIN
Trainer: Malcolm Saunders – Jockey: William Carson
RECREDROBIN loves Epsom but is also a winner here, at this time last year. With three wins from her last five outings the mare is in the form of her life, and though up against a well handicapped foe in Tiriac (who is worth a saver) she can add to her laurels.
Race 6 No3 WHISTLEDOWN (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
WHISTLEDOWN needs respecting on her first start since an underwhelming Brighton effort in June. The roan filly has Rose Dawes back in the irons, and the combination gelled in a gallop last week. The selection represents good each way value.
SOUTHWELL
Race 2 No1 MISS MACH ONE (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Connor Beasley
MISS MACH ONE showed how much she’d benefitted from a short break when opening her account as a well supported favourite at Windsor. She’s trained well on the all-weather and shouldn’t mind this switch to Tapeta under a penalty.
Race 7 No2 TYPICAL WOMAN
Trainer: Ian Williams – Jockey: Clifford Lee
TYPICAL WOMAN landed some good bets when opening her seasonal account at Haydock which gave the Nathaniel filly a confidence boost. This is a competitive race for bettors trying to get out of jail, but she’s improved since her win and will give a good account.
CARTMEL
Race 5 No9 COUP DE GOLD (Each Way)
Trainer: David Thompson – Jockey: Joshua Thompson
The diminutive COUP DE GOLD is edging closer to a first triumph of the season and at a big double-figure price provides a value option at a track where he’s earned on his only two previous visits. He wasn’t beaten far when claiming a cheque at Hexham last time, and can further raise his game to trouble hat-trick seeker May Gift To You.
Race 7 No2 JUMPING SUSIE (Nap)
Trainer: Brian McConnell – Jockey: Brian Hayes
Irish raider JUMPING SUSIE represents a yard that does well on its forays to this Lake District track. The mare has been unlucky not to put her head in front in summer jump hurdles at Bellewstown and Killarney, where she was beaten a nose. Everything looks right for her to now open her account.
