Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Saturday 19 August 2023

NEWBURY

Race 2 No9 DESPERATE HERO (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand

Marquand gelled with DESPERATE HERO at Windsor since when the grey has run well in defeat on all four starts. The rain that fell here yesterday should have made underfoot conditions ideal for the selection, who didn’t enjoy the rub of the green at Goodwood last time.

Race 3 No1 BLESS HIM (Each Way)
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Jamie Spencer

Although he can find no hiding place from the handicapper, BLESS HIM continues to perform well in seven-furlong handicaps and has to be respected. Last year’s Bunbury Cup winner ran well to earn in that race last month and was drawn on the wrong side when out of the money in the International at Ascot. In this smaller field he will again be ridden stone cold, and can swoop late.

Race 4 BETVICTOR HUNGERFORD STAKES (Group 2)

No1 CHINDIT (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Pat Dobbs

CHINDIT has dined at the top table in his three 2023 outings and can now take advantage of a class drop in what is likely to be his final race before taking up stallion duties in India. The son of Wootton Basset likes this course and if at his best should have the measure of front-runner Pogo and blinkered first-time Mostabshir.

DONCASTER

Race 2 No9 COME TOGETHER (Each Way)
Trainer: JeddO’Keefe – Jockey: Graham Lee

COME TOGETHER appeals as on just a sixth career start could have more to offer. He raised his game to take away a minor cheque last time, and being out of a mare by Pivotal is equipped to handle the ground should it rain in this part of Yorkshire.

Race 5 No14 MOUNT KING (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Sean Kirrane

Ex Irish MOUNT KING has demonstrated on each of his last three outings that he’s on the cusp of a first visit to the winner’s circle. He’s crept into this Class 4 at the foot of the weights, and given reasonable luck in running is primed to get into the shake-up for a stable that has peaked in recent weeks.

NEWMARKET

Race 1 No4 CELTIC CHAMPION (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert

This popular race restricted to greys can fall to the in-form CELTIC CHAMPION. The three-year-old needs to defy a lengthy absence, but when last seen scoring on the Lingfield Polytrack he looked an improved performer. He could be on a handy mark.

Race 4 No5 SINGLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert

SINGLE needs fast ground to produce her best, and should get it on the July course where she is a past winner. The six-year-old has been marking time during the inclement mid-summer period but needs respecting. Her chance will increase of Probert can smuggle her into the contest and she needs to hit the front as late as possible.

RIPON

Race 4 William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap

No3 SUMMERGHAND (Each Way)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Danny Tudhope

SUMMERGHAND finished in the money in a York race that has worked out and was a leading fancy for the Stewards’ Cup only to have to be taken out at the start of that Goodwood contest. An unlucky fourth in this race last year, he’s overdue a big sprint success and in Tudhope, who fired in a treble at Beverley on Thursday, he has the right man with whom to get the job done.

This is the big betting event of the day, and for trifectas and quartets, I would also include Cairn Gorm, Lakota Blue and Monsieur Kodi.

Prediction: 1st SUMMERGHAND, 2nd Cairn Gorm, 3rd Lakota Blue, 4th Monsieur Kodi

MARKET RASEN

Race 6 No12 DIANA PRINCE (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Midgley – Jockey: Jamie Hamilton

DIANA PRINCE discovered winning form from out of the blue last time, but can show by following up that there was no fluke about the victory. This well-related mare finds herself at the right end of the handicap to do further damage and could attract plenty of support.

BATH

Race 2 No9 ROGUE ROSIE (Nap)
Trainer: Tom Clover – Jockey: Saffie Osborne

ROGUE ROSIE takes the best form to post in this maiden and has the perfect draw close to the rail but far enough off it to enjoy racing room and to capitalise. Her colours have become popular due to a Royal Ascot winner and this filly by Magna Grecia looks to have the bases covered.

Race 4 No6 CLUEDO
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Trevor Whelan

CLUEDO opened her account in a four-runner race here and then ran well to earn in a better race at Salisbury. She was the only one that tried to catch the eventual winner on her latest start at Doncaster and paid the price when weakening in the closing stages. Back on her favourite track tonight, she can bounce back.

Race 6 No4 BEGGARMAN
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Billy Loughnane

BEGGARMAN would be a deserving winner of this first division of the stayers’ handicap after finding only one to beat him in two of his last three starts. His stable has been amongst the winners this week, and he can get the better of Nevendon. The latter is a pea out of the same pod, having hit the woodwork on his last two outings.

Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)

8, 1, 3 x 9 x 6, 1 x 6, 3 x 5, 2, 6 x 4, 6 x 7, 6, 5

R216