Neil Morrice brings us his best bets and tips for Monday's racing at Bath, Newton Abbot, and Newcastle
BATH
Race 2 No3 FIRTH OF CLYDE (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
FIRTH OF CLYDE looks to have the bases covered and should attract professional money as the best bet in this card. The Gleneagles colt has found one to beat him in each of his last three outings but went down narrowly at Newmarket and Goodwood and now finds himself in calmer waters.
Race 7 No9 RUBY COTTAGE
Trainer: Malcolm Saunders – Jockey: Ryan Tate
The ultra-consistent RUBY COTTAGE gets weight from her foes after a string of earning performances here. All but one of her eight races have happened at the Lansdown course, and after opening her account in July she’s posted three near-misses. If getting the rub of the green her luck can deservedly change.
NEWTON ABBOT
Race 1 No3 MAGICAL THOMAS (Each Way)
Trainer: Neil Mulholland – Jockey: Liam Harrison
MAGICAL THOMAS operates well on tight tracks like this. The Fontwell specialist signalled with an earning run behind Sergeant here last time that he’s happier in a visor, which is retained.
Race 4 No1 DOCPICKEDME
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
DOCPICKEDME comes here as the choice from a number of early week engagements on first outing since scoring at Southwell in March. The lightly-raced former pointer has scope for improvement and is ready for this return to the fray.
Race 7 No2 DINO VELVET
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Alexander Thorne
Mick Pastor will be at short odds to complete a hat-trick in this handicap chase, but DINO VELVET can make a race of it with him. The selection was a late entry to the chasing ranks but has done nothing wrong in three outings this season, scoring at Uttoxeter and placing in competitive heats at Worcester and Cartmel.
NEWCASTLE
Race 2 No2 CHICKEN ITZA (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
CHICKEN ITZA was too green to do herself justice on debut at Leicester, finishing strongly after hitting a flat spot. The Fastnet Rock filly will be more streetwise and should prove hard to beat.
Race 4 No6 OUTSMART
Trainer: Ollie Pears – Jockey: Ben Robinson
OUTSMART belied her 50-1 odds when chasing home the useful Manhattanville on debut here back in June. He took home another cheque at Thirsk last month, and is in good order for this switch back to Tapeta, in which he can outpoint Euraquilo.
Race 7 No4 MRS DIBBLE
Trainer: Ian Williams – Jockey: Ben Curtis
MRS DIBBLE can make it third time lucky after a couple of near-misses, the latest when short-headed at Chelmsford on Saturday. The Dabirsim filly was also beaten in a photo on her previous outing at the same track and deserves a change of luck.
Place Accumulater Perm (Races 2-8)
2 x 1, 11 x 6, 3 x 6, 10, 3 x 4, 2, 12 x 4, 5 x 1, 7, 8
R216
