Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Thursday’s racing taking place at BATH, HAYDOCK PARK and LEICESTER.
BATH
Race 3 No2 GORDONSTOUN (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: David Egan
GORDONSTOUN ran into one when sent off favourite for his debut and now, equipped with the benefit of that experience, can open his account. The Gleneagles colt finished third to Risqué, who then contested the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot. Whatcombe celebrated a winner with Highland Chief at that fixture and there’s plenty of confidence behind Gordonstoun.
Race 7 No3 BAYSTON HILL
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: Finley Marsh
It was back in 2017 that BAYSTON HILL notched his only success at this course, with the six race winner having shown versatility in equally dividing his triumphs between the all-weather and turf. He was in good form before the lockdown and can put his best foot forward for small stable that’s doing well with its recent runners.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 1 No10 SNOOKERED
Trainer: Brian Ellison – Jockey: Ben Robinson
SNOOKERED has proved a real money spinner as a dual purpose horse for his connections, winning four hurdle races on the bounce last back end and returning to take out a jumper/bumper at Newcastle in late February. He’s operating at the peak of his powers and can give his foes plenty to think about if ridden with the confidence that helped bring about those successes.
Race 3 No5 BARBILL (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
BARBILL deserves to have won more than three times in his career and can herald a good start to his third season by landing this competitive sprint under the champion jockey. He’d worked well before missing the cut in last week’s Silver Wokingham and will hopefully have plenty to offer at this totally different track.
Race 6 No7 JOVIAL
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
This is a step up in class for JOVIAL, but the Dubawi filly is more than ready for a return to turf after showing she’d trained on with a snug triumph at Lingfield at the beginning of the month. She regularly attracts market support and has sufficient scope for improvement to thwart Under The Stars and Spring Of Love.
LEICESTER
Race 1 No1 BURTONWOOD
Trainer: Julie Camacho – Jockey: Faye McManoman
BURTONWOOD did us a favour on his winning return last week and with the benefit of that confidence-boosting success behind him has every chance of serving up a repeat. Even with a 4lb penalty he finds himself 1lb well in, and this is a course where he’s put his best foot forward in the past.
Race 2 No3 ARISTOCRATIC LADY (Nap)
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: Adam Kirby
The Crisford’s thought highly of ARISTOCRATIC LADY last year when she ran well on both starts. However, when heavily backed on the second occasion at Lingfield she failed to see out the seven furlongs, making this drop back to sprinting seem a wise decision by her trainer. The daughter of Invincible Spirit has worked with plenty of enthusiasm, and should deliver.
Race 7 No11 WISE GLORY
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: Adam Kirby
Lightning can strike twice for Crisford and son Ed, with WISE GLORY set to endorse the promise of his comeback outing at Newcastle where he beat all but the well regarded Valyrian Steel. Only a neck separated the pair, and my selection has gone forward judging from the quality of his subsequent homework in Newmarket.
