Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Thursday’s racing taking place at Newmarket, Pontefract, Kempton Park, and Perth.
NEWMARKET
Race 1: No8 – TOROMONA
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
TOROMONA ran into a class act when beaten by Maximal on his Sandown introduction but nevertheless showed with his clear second to that more experienced rival that he has plenty of ability. This looks a perfect opportunity for the impeccably-bred son of Shamardal to open his account on the way to better things.
Race 4: TATTERSALLS STAKES (Group 3)
No6 – YAZAMAN
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand
The greater experience of YAZAMAN could tilt things in that colt’s favour against the potentially smart La Barrosa. The selection has finished second in two Group 2s but disappointed in the Gimcrack at York, and then got going all too late when equipped with a first time visor in a Sales race at Doncaster. He takes a bit of winding up, but the uphill finish of this final seven furlongs of the Rowley course seems sure to suit him.
Race 5: No3 – MILDENBERGER (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Franny Norton
With his record of being a good operator fresh it should be seen as a boon that MILDENBERGER hasn’t raced since finishing second in the Sagaro Stakes at Newcastle back in June. The Teofilo entire had earlier impressed in a couple of all-weather handicaps and looks a powerful arrow for his trainer to fire in staying races through the final weeks of the season.
PONTEFRACT
Race 1: No9 – SMEATON’S LIGHT (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
This stiff six furlongs looks a good place for SMEATON’S LIGHT to embark on his racing career. The Dragon Pulse colt will learn much from the outing but has shown with some promising work that he has ability and could have a say in this, even though he meets three more experienced foes with decent form to their names.
Race 3: No5 – SIXNTWOTHREES (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Joe Fanning
There are some well-related fillies in this nursery but the assessor might have underestimated SIXNTWOTHREES. The daughter of Sixties Icon showed tenacity in a tight finish to inch home in a similar contest at Windsor where she ran green when negotiating a bend for the first time. But the way she pricked her ears and responded gamely to her pilot’s driving suggests she’s going to appreciate the long climb to the winning post today.
Race 6: No1 – CLASSIC LORD
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: William Carver
CLASSIC LORD hasn’t been handed the best of draws but as the only winner in the field for this novice auction stakes can play the experience card, while his penalty for winning at a Goodwood is part negated by his jockey’s 5lb claim. His trainer’s runners should always be respected here.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 5: No6 – CROWN POWER
Trainer: James Fanshawe – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
This features several beautifully-bred fillies but a chance is taken on CROWN POWER, who is by Camelot our of a Giant’s Causeway mare. Her trainer isn’t renowned for unleashing first time out juvenile winners, but the vibes from the gallops indicate she could have an engine.
Race 6: No3 – LANCELOT DU LAC (Nap)
Trainer: Dean Ivory – Jockey: George Downing
Former Stewards Cup winner LANCELOT DU LAC can roll back the years in this sprint handicap. It’s his first outing since being short-headed by Verne Castle at Chelmsford in early February, but the gelding has given off encouraging signals in his work that he’s in good heart and in similarly good form.
PERTH
Race 3: No3 – REDFORD ROAD (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
A winner of a bumper and two novice hurdles last season, REDFORD ROAD was highly tried in the New Year, finishing last but one in a Listed novices’ at Cheltenham and amongst the stragglers in the Albert Bartlett at the Festival back there in a March. However, chasing has always beckoned and he’s schooled well in readiness for this switch to fences.
Race 5: No7 – STONER’S CHOICE
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Max Kendrick
As long as he’s brushed up his jumping, STONER’S CHOICE should be too good for them in this novices’ hurdle. He lost ground at a few of the obstacles on jumps debut here last month, doing well in those circumstances to finish second. But he’s participated in some intensive subsequent schooling and should be more adept now.
