Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday's racing coming your way from Ffos Las and Goodwood on 15 October 2023.
FFOS LAS
Race 2 No7 EAU DU BERLAIS (Each Way)
Trainer: Jane Williams – Jockey: David Noonan
Several take the eye in this maiden hurdle including Wrappendupinmay and £290,000 purchase Mt Fugi Park, but at a much bigger price EAU DU BERLAIS could be the way to go. The chestnut is not without experience even though this is his debut under Rules, and he can be competitive.
Race 3 No1 MATATA (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
MATATA goes off like a scalded cat but gets the two miles well. Not disgraced in an Aintree Grade 1 when last seen over hurdles, the hooded five-year-old has schooled beautifully over fences at Grange Farm and can see off fellow chase debutant Manorbank.
Race 4 No3 NEMEAN LION
Trainer: Kerry Lee – Jockey: Richard Patrick
The featured Welsh Champion Hurdle gives NEMEAN LION the chance to show that he’s progressed during his summer at grass. The six-year-old only ran four times in his first season over jumps but showed bags of ability, rounding off the campaign with victory in a Grade 2 at Kelso. He’s a strong traveller, jumps well and is a horse to follow through the winter.
GOODWOOD
Race 1 No11 CHERRY COLA
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: Marc Goldstein
Cochise is one to monitor the betting, but given her ability to get the trip in testing conditions CHERRY COLA gets the vote. In a Flat race for jump jockeys her rider has had the privilege of sitting on her at home. Furthermore the seven-year-old has shown consistently good form and arrives with figures of 324213.
Race 4 No6 AMANCIO
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
AMANCIO was backed from 16-1 into 2-1 favourite before running into a newcomer who led and didn’t come back in Esquire at Hamilton. The Sixties Icon gelding has shown he handles cut in the ground, while his connections appear to have uncovered a very good opportunity for him in this first run in a nursery.
Race 5 No2 BLACK RUN
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Tom Marquand
Nathaniel colt BLACK RUN shaped well when making his introduction under Christophe Soumillon at Deauville. Third there to the well regarded Mirador, he’s learned plenty from that first visit to a racecourse, he’ll go in the ground and can parry the attentions of Hampden and newcomer Anzac Day.
Race 6 No4 DARKNESS (Nap)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Jason Watson
Back down to his last winning mark, DARKNESS makes a lot of sense and can justify his long journey from the North. The five-year-old might have gone close at Newmarket a fortnight ago but for hanging under pressure, and can make life uncomfortable for paper favourite Kathab.
Race 7 No3 DOUBLE TIME (Each Way)
Trainer: Sir Mark Todd – Jockey: George Rooke
Sly Madam, Platinum Prince and Racing Demon are three that go into my perms for this competitive nightcap, but for the win I like DOUBLE TIME who has improved since being equipped with a hood. His close second to Crystal Casque at Ascot reads particularly well, while he was beaten just a length into third on his latest outing at Newmarket, confirming on that occasion that he’s running into form.
