Neil Morrice Best Bets And Tips – Tuesday 25 April 2023

EPSOM DOWNS

Race 2 No1 EPICTETUS
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Frankie Dettori

Runner-up in the Vertem Futurity at Doncaster in October, EPICTETUS brings much the best form to the table for this Derby trial over all but the last quarter mile of the Premier Classic trip on the same course. The son of Kingman has plenty of scope for progression, is reported to have done well through the winter, and being out of a mare by Selkirk will handle any cut in the ground.

Race 3 No1 HARROVIAN
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Frankie Dettori

The historic City And Suburban can see the Gosden/Dettori combo in the ascendancy again, and in a compressed handicap can successfully shrug off top weight. The seven-year-old brings a touch of class to the party having recently been beaten only five and a half lengths by stablemate Lord North in a Group 3 (Winter Derby) at Lingfield, form given a mighty boost when the winner triumphed in the Dubai Turf at Meydan.

Race 4 No11 WONDER STARELZAAM (Nap)
Trainer: Denis Coakley – Jockey: George Bass

WONDER STARELZAAM is a bet I’m looking forward to in the race known as the ‘ Great Met’. The Elzaam gelding has forged a very impressive record with his apprentice pilot who has won on five of the nine occasions he’s ridden the selection including three times on turf. They made a perfect return to the track when successful at Lingfield last month, and this race has been on the radar all along.

YARMOUTH

Race 2 No3 SIR BOLTON (Nap)
Trainer: Dominic Ffrench Davis – Jockey: Kevin Stott

Blue Point has made a sparkling start to his stud career and SIR BOLTON can be another speedy scorer for the former sprint champion. His owners Amo Racing are peppering out winners, and especially in the juvenile division.

Race 4 No2 SASSY BELLE
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Saffie Osborne

SASSY BELLE is back in a handicap for her 2023 return, having relished the deep underfoot conditions when scoring on her final start at Leicester. With her ability to go in the ground guaranteed she can continue from where she left off on the long haul from Lambourn.

FFOS LAS

Race 1 No1 ILOT DE L’ISLE
Trainer: Richard Bandey – Jockey: Harry Bannister

Although lumbered with a 10lb penalty, ILOT DE L’ISLE has the points on the board and can complete a fine hat-trick in the opening novices’ hurdle. That form in France is hard to weigh up, but given his trainer’s good record with similar imports in the past he needs respecting.

Race 3 No5 JAZZ KING
Trainer: Sam Thomas- Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

Getting his head in front could act as a major spur to JAZZ KING, who absolutely bolted up at Ludlow to end a long wait for a first career success. More importantly, it was the gelding’s first outing over fences, and suggests he’s going to be a lot better in this division for a trainer whose team have been pinging through the spring.

Race 5 No2 BUMPY JOHNSON (Nap)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Jack Tudor

BUMPY JOHNSON likes this venue, and after a very good run in defeat at Exeter is ready to get back in a winning groove. This strong traveller was raised 3lb for the defeat, but conditions are in his favour and he can help cement the new partnership of his trainer and jockey.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 4 No6 WALL GAME (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Dane O’Neill

WALL GAME came out of a race last week to wait for one that is arguably less competitive. The Shalaa gelding is very well drawn for this seven furlongs novice round a left-handed bend, and can endorse with a win the promise shown on his latest start for a trainer that gave us a well supported winner last week.

Race 6 No2 NATIVE BEACH (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Todd – Jockey: George Rooke

Todd’s horses have assembled a good early season strike-rate and there should be more to come from course and distance scorer NATIVE BEACH. The Nap broke his maiden in stylish fashion and has always appealed as a type that would find his forte in handicaps, which he now encounters.