Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket, Pontefract, Perth and Southwell on 28 September 2023.
NEWMARKET
Race 1 No16 ORTELIUS (Nap)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Justify colt ORTELIUS faces some regally-bred newcomers including Dubawi colts Duke’s Command and Marching Thunder, who represent a Godolphin operation running into form. The Coolmore raider can play the experience card to good effect after running a cracker in defeat on his debut at the Curragh. The selection blinked leaving the stalls but will now be more alert with the benefit of that educational effort under his belt.
Race 4 TATTERSALLS STAKES (Group 3)
No7 LEGEND OF TIME (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
Five of six first-time-out winners will are likely to lose their unbeaten records in the first-day feature, with LEGEND OF TIME the one whose CV may not be tarnished. He showed a professional attitude when scoring at Haydock, and the drop back to seven furlongs shouldn’t inconvenience him.
Naas scorer MILITARY should get into the shake-up for Coolmore, while any support for SON OF MAN might also prove significant.
Race 7 No2 DOUBLE TIME (Each Way)
Trainer: Sir Mark Todd – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
DOUBLE TIME responded positively to the fitting of a hood when narrowly denied at Ascot, on his second run back from a mid-season break. This three-time winner on the all-weather can add to his laurels on just a fourth-ever run on turf.
VICTORIA FALLS and RESTRICT should also be considered for exotic wagering on this open heat.
PONTEFRACT
Race 2 No6 KINGS MERCHANT (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Although he disappointed when only able to post a mid-division finish at Thirsk, KINGS MERCHANT can show that was a temporary blip on his record. He’d been beaten by the narrowest margin on his Newcastle introduction and is well-regarded by his trainer. It would come as no surprise to see him bounce back.
Race 3 No3 MAGICO (Nap)
Trainer: Marco Botti – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Botti has a couple of good chances on this card, starting with MAGICO, who gained valuable experience of running on an unconventional track when troubling the judge at Epsom. The son of Le Havre should enjoy stepping up in trip, and has the wherewithal to outpoint penalised winner Empire Of Art and the promising Zayina.
Race 5 No5 INVINCIBLE AURA
Trainer: Marco Botti – Jockey: Ben Curtis
INVINCIBLE AURA might have won on second start at Windsor but for hanging, but the trait returned to haunt him on a subsequent start at Southwell where he faded badly in the final furlong and a half. A strong favourite on that occasion, it earned him a mark and he could be worth giving another chance to on this first handicap outing.
PERTH
Race 1 No2 PINYON JAY
Trainer: Gordon Elliott – Jockey: Sean Bowen
Ireland should dominate the early portion of this card, with PINYON JAY taken to trump paper favourite I Love My Baie in the opening novices’ hurdle. Elliott equips the selection with first-time cheek pieces in reaction to how green he looked when opening his account at Down Royal. But in receipt of 2lb from his well-related rival he can win again.
Race 2 No3 PATS CHOICE
Trainer: Gordon Elliott – Jockey: Sean Bowen
Elliott and total race leader Bowen can also deliver with PATS CHOICE in this limited handicap chase. The selection has proved a prolific earner in Ireland through the summer, and can take care of business on a belated first outing on British soil, with chase debutant Idalko Bihoue the one that can cause him most problems.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No10 MARIE LAVEAU (Nap)
Trainer: Marcus Tregoning – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
Sir Percy filly MARIE LAVEAU wore a hood when third on handicap bow at Chepstow. The headgear is retained for this third run in handicap company, and she looks well treated, especially if her very promising juvenile form can be revisited.
Race 4 No13 ROMAN ART (Each Way)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: David Probert
ROMAN ART was a springer in the market before taking away a first cheque at this track when last seen in mid-August. He retains the blinkers he wore for the first time and can build on that effort in this low grade contest. He’s well drawn for another earning experience.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)
3, 6 x 10, 11 x 13, 3, 9 x 9, 7 x 6, 9 x 1, 7, 6 x 2, 4
R288
