Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Salisbury, Warwick, Southwell, Chelmsford City, and Newcastle on 3 October 2024.
SALISBURY
Race 3 No5 PERSIAN SPIRIT (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
This is best left to Invincible Spirit filly PERSIAN SPIRIT to deliver the goods and remain unbeaten. The Nap knuckled down well in the easy conditions to deny Boxtel on her Newbury introduction, and can now cash in on the 5lb she receives from hat-trick-seeking Bob Mali.
Race 4 No6 THE GOOD BISCUIT
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
THE GOOD BISCUIT makes just a fourth appearance of the season after twice embarking on abortive trips to the track. On the first occasion, the meeting was abandoned, while last time he had to be taken out owing to unsuitable ground. He’s fully expected to take his chance here, and if running as well as he’s been working should trouble the judge.
WARWICK
Race 1 No1 CAPTAIN MARVELLOUS
Trainer: Jane Williams – Jockey: Harry Cobden
It’s good to see champion jockey Cobden back from the injury list with a likely winner in the shape of CAPTAIN MARVELLOUS. The Nap was last seen making the frame in the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton, but finds himself in much calmer waters for his seasonal return.
Race 4 No1 GUARD YOUR DREAMS (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twisron-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Although he hasn’t experienced the winning feeling in almost two years, GUARD YOUR DREAMS is a horse to have on your side now that he tackles fences. That last success came in a Grade 2 hurdle at Cheltenham, and his subsequent form has been in Graded races and high-class handicaps. Always regarded as a chaser in the making, he’s schooled well and is ready for this return to action.
Race 5 No5 GUARD THE MOON
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
GUARD THE MOON faced a far more straightforward task at Newton Abbot last week but following its abandonment can hopefully deliver at a bigger price in this Class3 handicap hurdle. He brings solid novice hurdle form to the table, is fit from his summer break and should finish in the money.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No9 PEP TALKING
Trainer: Billy Aprahamian – Jockey: Kevin Brogan
PEP TALKING provided Paul Webber with his final winner as a trainer and now embarks on a career with former Nicky Henderson assistant Aprahamian who is based in the same part of Oxfordshire. The six-year-old point winner was still a work in progress last winter, but having had time to strengthen up through the summer is ready to get into the shake-up in Southwell’s first race of the new season.
Race 4 No1 SUNSHINE DIAMOND (Nap)
Trainer: Neil Mulholland – Jockey: James Bowen
This novices’ hurdle has cut up in favour of SUNSHINE DIAMOND, who after notching a first career win on his final start in Ireland enters new territory for a stable that’s going well. The five-year-old has an equally in-form jockey in his saddle and should take care of business.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 1 No3 ENCLOSURE
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
ENCLOSURE missed out at Wolverhampton last week but connections are happy to field her in what looks a much warmer contest. The Ulysses filly hails from a very good family, being out of a Group 1 winner, and though there’s not much of her she’s a willing worker who has scope to progress from a promising first run to open her account.
NEWCASTLE
Race 2 No6 HIGHWAYGREY
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
HIGHWAYGREY picked up a Class4 at Pontefract in the summer which he followed with two near misses at the same track. He’s started at double figure prices for his last three outings and not been disgraced, suggesting that he can pick up from where he left off as a winner here on his final start of 2023 last November. This is his first run on the all-weather since.
Race 5 No5 BLAZING SON (Nap)
Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: Andrew Breslin
BLAZNG SUN missed out by inches on his first run of the season over this course and distance. He’s subsequently scored twice at the Class5 level as well as being narrowly denied on his latest outing at Southwell. The chestnut holds his form well, and should enjoy a return to Gosforth Park.
Race 8 No2 SOUND REASON
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
SOUND REASON seeks a first success since joining his trainer, but this could be his day in the sun. On more than one occasion he’s gone close and as a strong traveller, he needs to be alert at the gate. He’s up against a field of sprinters who in the main have struggled to find any form, and can cash in.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 3-9)
6 x 1, 8 x 5, 6, 8 x 6, 2, 5, 4 x 3, 5 x 2, 8 x 9, 1
R192
