Neil Morrice brings you all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Sandown Park, Chelmsford City, Lingfield Park, Wolverhampton and Market Rasen.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 2 No6 FOLLY BEACH (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
Always regarded as the type that may do better in handicaps, FOLLY BEACH gets the chance to raise her game on debut in that sphere. It won’t be easy for the Golden Horn filly, but after working great guns earlier in the week and getting weight from the others, she could prove a surprise packet.
Race 4 No1 HIGHLAND AVENUE
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
The cut in the ground is an unknown for HIGHLAND AVENUE, but if handling the conditions he will be hard to stop. The Dubawi colt met a decent foe when beaten by Run To Freedom on debut at Kempton last winter, while this year he’s unbeaten in two outings at that venue and on turf at Newmarket. He can put himself in his trainer’s Royal Ascot team by landing this Listed prize.
Race 5 No2 COUNSEL (Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Cieren Fallon
There are few better-looking individuals than COUNSEL, who did everything but win on seasonal reappearance at Newbury. Denied in the last few strides by Foxes Tales, the race is thought to have done him the power of good, while he’s bred to enjoy the conditions, being by Frankel out of a Sea The Stars mare.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 4 No4 MODMIN (Nap)
Trainer: Marcus Tregoning – Jockey: Dane O’Neill
MODMIN ran into one when beaten by Dollar Bid at Lingfield, a display that showed he handles Polytrack. He fell to another from the Stoute academy in Mars Landing at Leicester on previous start and may find this more straightforward.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)
8, 1, 12 x 3 x 1, 7 x 4 x 1, 5, 2 x 3, 2 x 10, 5, 4
R108
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 3 No4 STEEL AN ICON
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Nicola Currie
Bumper winner STEEL AN ICON has met with mixed fortune on the Flat. Not given the best of rides at Wolverhampton last time, she can show she’s better than that.
Race 6 No6 NODSASGOODASAWINK (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Nicola Currie
The same combination can strike with NODSASGOODASAWINK, the only winner in the field. She has a habit of getting outpaced before staying on, but can swoop to conquer to better a couple of back-to-back seconds.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 3 No3 ALGHEED
Trainer: Marcus Tregoning – Jockey: Dougie Costello
With two earning runs from as many starts, ALGHEED sets the standard in this first division of the maiden. Her greater experience of this Tapeta surface can prove key against potential threat Sense Of Humour.
Race 4 No8 RIKNNAH (Nap)
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: James Doyle
Shamardal filly RIKNNAH looks to hold the cards following her eye taking debut effort to trouble the judge in Delta Bay’s race at Newmarket. Too green to do herself justice that day, she’s made great strides mentally and should win.
Race 8 No6 SONNETINA (Each Way)
Trainer: Denis Coakley – Jockey: Mark Crehan
This boutique stable has its inmates in good order, which augers well for perennial bridesmaid SONNETINA to prevail. She shaped with plenty of encouragement to post a frame finish on her Brighton comeback and ran equally well on her only previous visit to Dunstall Park.
MARKET RASEN
Race 1 No2 TIMBERMAN (Nap)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Paddy Brennan
TIMBERMAN is easily the most interesting horse on view at this meeting. He’s up against a couple of in form rivals which should make him a price, but if settling and showing his true ability he will outclass them. Not the most straightforward to train, he delivered at Doncaster before having his sights raised and not faring too badly at Aintree. In calmer waters here, he can land the best bet vote.
Race 4 No1 COMMANCHE RED
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Tom Cannon
COMMANCHE RED hasn’t managed to reach the heights he promised as a novice chaser and is now handicapping over hurdles. However, he showed gritty determination to score at Plumpton before picking up a minor cheque at Sandown. He’s gone better since getting the visor he sports today and should be competitive off top weight.
