Neil Morrice Brings Us All of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, Nottingham, Yarmouth, Haydock Park and Uttoxeter.
NEWBURY
Race 3 No8 SUBTLE BEAUTY
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Joshua Bryan
This stable tends to run its better maidens at its local course and SUBTLE BEAUTY looks good enough on what she’s achieved so far to take a bit of stopping. The selection ran into smart rivals such as NEBULOSA and Zaajirah on her two outings last year, showing a liking for Turf and Polytrack. She’s put in some encouraging work ahead of this seasonal return.
Race 7 No1 ZIKANY (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Zoffany colt ZIKANY is possibly unlucky not to be unbeaten in handicaps, having been heavily supported when narrowly beaten at Lingfield, and again when making no mistake at Windsor where he came home unchallenged. His shrewd trainer brings him out quickly under a penalty and he’s in the mood to follow up.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 3 No5 DEREHAM
Trainer: John Berry – Jockey: Thore Hammer Hansen
DEREHAM romped home when returning to the fray at Yarmouth, in spite of his jockey putting up 3lb overweight, and looks like a horse that could have turned the corner. The gelded son of Derby winner Sir Percy can shape up into a decent staying prospect.
Race 6 No1 HAIL SEZER (Nap)
Trainer: Geoff Harker – Jockey: Connor Beasley
Consistency is the watchword of HAIL SEZER whose last three efforts read 2-22. It was only on that final start of 2020 that he started to realise his true potential, while he’s done nothing wrong on grass and the all-weather this year.
YARMOUTH
Race 5 No4 ARIA ROSE (Nap)
Trainer: Mike Murphy – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
ARIA ROSE was anchored by a penalty when no match for Glencora at the end of May but in current mood is worth persevering with. Since posting an all-weather hat-trick in the winter he’s maintained a consistent level of form. This strong traveller takes his racing well, and can bounce back.
Race 6 No5 ARIEL
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: Setefano Cherchi
A hat-trick looks on the cards for the upwardly mobile ARIEL. His successes at Kempton and Ripon have been gained with real authority, suggesting he can carry on defying his rising mark.
UTTOXETER
Race 6 No10 SWEEPING ROCK (Each Way)
Trainer: John Spearing – Jockey: Jamie Moore
The each-way value in a hugely competitive handicap hurdle is SWEEPING ROCK, who has twice finished second at this course from only four visits and might have prevailed against Del Duque last August had his rider not put up 2lb overweight. Much will depend on whether his veteran trainer has him for enough following a more than 200-day absence.
Race 7 No1 POP MISTRESS (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Philipps – Jockey: Daniel Hiskett
It’s never easy for horses carrying 7lb penalties in bumpers but so impressive was POP MISTRESS when making a winning introduction at Southwell that she could be an exception to the rule. The hooded mare was easy to back, but in the race the result was never in doubt, and she looks a smart recruit.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 3 No3 KING OF GOLD (Nap)
Trainer: James Tate – Jockey: David Allan
Kingman colt KING OF GOLD stayed on strongly for a frame finish when the penny dropped on debut at Yarmouth. He was beaten just a total of three-quarters of a length by the winner Tolstoy and may now be sufficiently streetwise to thwart I’m A Gambler.
Race 4 No4 THIBAAN
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Kevin Stott
If Caradoc is straight following a long absence he’ll be a tough nut to crack, but there are no such question marks next to THIBAAN who has taken home a cheque on both outings this season and who should appreciate a return to turf.
Place Accumulater Perm (Races 1-7)
4 x 5, 4 x 3 x 4, 2 x 3, 7, 8 x 3, 7, 9 x 2, 1
R72
