Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Sandown Park, Pontefract and Southwell on 20 August 2023.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 4 No8 TRAIS FLUORS (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
Former French Group winner TRAIS FLUORS returns from a mid-season break refreshed and ready for action under an apprentice who gets on well with him. She guided the veteran to a decisive success at Goodwood but was not on board for his latest solid run behind Finbar’s Lad at Haydock. The selection’s days of competing at prestigious fixtures like the Breeders’ Cup are well behind him, but he’s a winner at this course and needs respecting.
Race 5 No10 METAL MERCHANT (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Tom Marquand
METAL MERCHANT came away from Goodwood with a big hard luck story, having been set a tall task in the home straight where he kept running into trouble. He has a good draw today, and if ridden more handily can gain an overdue success. He’s been in the form of his life at home, and unless the ground softens looks to have the bases covered for a big earning run.
Race 6 No7 ZARGA
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
Camelot filly ZARGA jumps off the page as one to back as her confidence levels took a hike with her narrow but cosy success at Windsor last time. She’d experienced traffic problems on her previous two starts this year and is probably still a step ahead of the assessor at a track whose uphill finish should play to her strengths.
Race 7 No13 DARK ISLAND (Each Way)
Trainer: Heather Main – Jockey: Gina Mangan
Value seekers in the nightcap should consider DARK ISLAND, whose trainer fielded a 25-1 winner last week, and has her team in very good order. The selection has improved for a switch to grass and was narrowly denied at Newbury and Windsor, making him a proper player.
PONTEFRACT
Race 4 No8 EASTER ICON
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Connor Beasley
EASTER ICON did us a good turn when scoring at Catterick, where Beasley made full use of the chestnut’s proven stamina. This track is also likely to suit the running style of the Sixties Icon gelding, who needs to make his bid for glory a long way out.
SOUTHWELL
Race 4 No5 SILK BIRD
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe – Jockey: Joe Garritty
SILK BIRD proved a welcome winner for O’Keeffe at Pontefract, where the filly raised her game assisted by first-time cheek pieces. It was a big step in the right direction by the daughter of Free Eagle who has her tail up.
Race 7 No7 ROMAN ART (Each Way)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
ROMAN ART isn’t an obvious choice for this stayers’ handicap but with the addition of blinkers and Doyle aboard for the first time improvement could be eked out of the so far disappointing performer.
