Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday's racing coming your way from Bath, Lingfield Park, Southwell, Hamilton Park and Kempton Park on 4 September 2024.
BATH
Race 1 No4 PORT HEDLAND
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
By far the least experienced runner in the field, PORT HEDLAND faces a couple of in-form rivals but is the type that could improve past them. He was just out of the money in a bunch finish on his first run of the years and now returns from a freshening break.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 3 No3 CATHEDRAL (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: David Egan
CATHEDRAL is a beautifully bred filly by Too Dawn Hot out of a Frankel mare and carried good vibes from the home gallops into the track for her first run. She has a favourable draw, and will hopefully prove as strong in the race as she is in the market.
Race 4 No7 SEA JOURNEY (Each Way)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Benoit De La Sayette
SEA JOURNEY troubled the judge for a minor cheque on her only start last autumn and now takes on males in a warm-looking novice. She could hardly be better bred, being by Sea The Stars out of the Group winning mare Journey. It’s a powerful line that gives owner-breeder George Strawbridge plenty to look forward to.
Race 7 No1 MOUNT MOGAN
Trainer: Laura Mongan – Jockey: Mia Nicholls
MOUNT MOGAN had more in front of him than behind when 125-1 on his belated first run of 2024 but in a class drop might have been found a good winning opportunity. He’s capable of forcing the pace, and as there are no other obvious front runners in the field his best form of defence may be to attack.
SOUTHWELL
Race 5 No6 PAGAN SUN
Trainer: Sean Woods – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
PAGAN SUN offered up a first piece of evidence that he will soon be winning when third in a novice at this course, from which he has benefitted. The Waldgeist colt does not look like being overfaced in this switch to handicaps, and can open his account.
Race 6 No8 MIAKODA (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Pat Dobbs
MIAKODA steps into his first nursery off a mark of 58 after a first-earning run at Newmarket. That was a step in the right direction, indicating the son of Blue Point has ability and will be more in his comfort zone going down the handicap route. He’s also been handed a good draw on the inner from which to attack.
HAMILTON PARK
Race 3 No2 GEORGECANDOIT
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe – Jockey: Jack Garritty
With figures of 2223, there’s plenty to like about GEORGECANDOIT in this open nursery. He’s proved costly to follow and been backed on each of his last three starts but key to a change of luck for him is the switch to handicaps. He’s not been exactly thrown in, but should now be able to put his best foot forward.
Race 5 No9 ELFORLEATHER (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Clifford Lee
ELFORLEATHER was foiled by inches after looking all over the winner on his only previous visit to this course. Recent successes at Ffos Las and Windsor mean he’s on the cusp of completing a fine hat-trick, and though higher in the weights he’s strongly fancied to achieve it.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 4 No11 SHEIKH RAJ (Nap)
Trainer: Tom Clover – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
SHEIKH RAJ did nothing wrong when chasing home Yaroogh on his introduction over this course and distance. The son of Pinatubo has gained much mentally from that first effort, and from a good slot against the fence should soon have a good position from which to counter in the straight.
Race 6 No6 NEW KING’S ROAD
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Joe Leavy
NEW KING’S ROAD has been in good form on turf, posting a narrow success at Windsor which was followed by an equally narrow defeat at Newmarket. He formed a good bond with rising star Leavy on that most recent occasion and the combination figure to prove hard to beat from the basement of this handicap.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)
7, 2 x 3, 4 x 6, 4 x 11 x 3, 5, 4 x 6 x 5, 1, 7
R72
