Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Wincanton, Ffos Las, Chelmsford City, Meydan and Southwell.
WINCANTON
Race 1 No7 FABLE
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Unknown quantity FABLE has given off some encouraging signals at Seven Barrows ahead of this debut under Rules. The Irish point winner is part of a strong team of mares in her powerful stable and can get the better of Rose Of Arcadia and Wouldubewell on the way to better things.
Race 3 No17 LILLY PEDLAR
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Natural
History had good form on the Flat and ran well on debut over jumps at Plumpton,
but on her return from a short break LILLY PEDLAR could be the answer. The
Yeats mare stepped up on two bumper outings to finish second on jumps debut at
Taunton, from which she is sure to progress.
Race 6 No1 CAPTAIN CATTISTOCK (Nap)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Liam Harrison
Big
fields have been a hallmark of the first few hunter-chases of the season and
the same rings true here, with 18 set to face the tape. The one that takes the
eye on debut for his in-form stable is CAPTAIN CATTISTOCK. The dual novice
chase winner was a beaten favourite on four of his five outings in mainly
handicap chases last season but can now turn a corner.
Race 7 No7 SHEILA NASH
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Having
missed out when Market Rasen was abandoned on Monday, SHEILA NASH can give this
stable a much needed boost. She hasn’t run for over a year, but the form of
that second to Fontaine Collonges at Ludlow has worked out.
FFOS LAS
Race 1 No7 FRANCO D’ANOU
Trainer: Venetia Williams – Jockey: H Nugent
Although opposed by a couple of fancied recent winners, FRANCO D’ANOU could be the way to go following three earning runs in defeat so far this season. The French-bred’s unplaced effort behind Pozo Emery at Chepstow is better than it looks, while heavy ground would not pose a problem to him.
Race 2 No7 DYLAN’S SEA SONG
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: Jack Tudor
Southwell winner DYLAN’S SEA SONG has run well in defeat in two subsequent outings and is now in calmer waters than when fourth to Panic Attack at Newbury. The seven-year-old has improved for the fitting of a hood, and can overturn her running with stablemate Born To Please in that contest. Both horses are worth including in all exotics.
Race 4 No8 WELSH SAINT (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: James Bowen
WELSH SAINT took off too soon and gave his pilot no chance of staying on board on chase debut at Exeter. It was an unfortunate start to his career over fences, and the setback can now be corrected as he’s a horse with a bright future.
SOUTHWELL
Race 5 No3 SECRET HANDSHEIKH (Nap)
Trainer: Archie Watson – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Such was the dominance of SECRET HANDSHAKE here last month that a 9lb hike in the ratings might not be enough to stop his progression. The Mayson gelding landed some good bets that day, and with Doyle retaining the ride is going to be many people’s idea of the best bet on the card.
Race 7 No5 CHETAN
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Mollie Phillips
CHETAN hasn’t scored on the all-weather since making his debut for this yard more than two years ago. That said, he’s signalled under today’s apprentice pilot that his winning drought will soon be ended, especially when chasing home Love Destiny at Kempton last time.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 4 No8 ELECTRIC BLUE (Nap)
Trainer: James Tate – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
This looks a weak maiden, giving ELECTRIC BLUE a gilt-edged opportunity to open her account. The Gleneagles filly takes a massive class drop after ending her juvenile campaign finishing in the ruck in a big sales race at Newmarket. However, her earlier form on the all-weather would be more than good enough to see her safe home if repeated this evening.
Race 6 No4 BLAIRLOGIE (Each Way)
Trainer: Laura Morgan – Jockey: Callum Hutchinson
Respect is given to the lightly-raced Szarratu but for value BLAIRLOGIE could prove a better bet. The selection has a tough task on paper, but has bits of form that would give him a good win and place shout. He’s a longstanding maiden that can raise his game.
MEYDAN
Race 3 UAE 2,000 GUINEAS (Group 3)
No3 MOUHEEB
Trainer: Nicholas Bachalard – Jockey: Ryan Curatolo
MOUHEEB can make his past experience of the dirt track count in his clash with Naval Crown. The latter made the frame in two Group 3s in France last back end and looks set to head the market, but Mouheeb could be better equipped for the prevailing conditions based on his narrow defeat by the smart Rebel’s Romance over course and distance last month. That followed a convincing debut triumph at Jebel Ali, and it’s hard to know how good he is. Meshakel trotted up,in a maiden three weeks ago and could play a big part if further raising his game.
Prediction: 1st MOUHEEB, 2nd Naval Crown, 3rd Meshakel
Race 4 FIREBREAK STAKES (Group 3)
No5 SECRET AMBITION (Nap)
Trainer: Satish Seemar – Jockey: Tadgh O’Shea
Big things are expected from Matterhorn, who makes his first appearance since landing the third round of the Al Maktoum Challenge over a longer trip last March. A success tonight would elevate his Dubai World Cup claims but SECRET AMBITION could have a fitness edge on him. The selection isn’t getting any younger but is tutored by a man who has excelled with similar types. He’s had to play the bridesmaid’s role in each of the last two runnings of this, but after a readying tun at Jebel Ali last month is in a good position to strike a telling blow. Closely matched on form with Secret Ambition is Kimbear who should be all the better for his comeback run, but needs to step up.
Prediction: 1st SECRET AMBITION, 2nd Matterhorn, 3rd Kimbear
Race 5 MEYDAN CLASSIC TRIAL (Conditions Race)
No7 FIRST SMILE
Trainer: Saeed Bin Suroor – Jockey: Patsy Cosgrave
Nothing travelled better than FIRST SMILE in the Dubai Trophy here three weeks ago. The Dark Angel filly looked all set to win only for her fuel gauge to flash red entering the final furlong and a half. It’s easy to question her chances of turning the tables with Topper Bill over this longer trip, but I’m prepared to give her another chance as there were mitigating circumstances behind that performance.
Race 6 No9 MAN OF PROMISE
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
The least experienced contender in this 18-runner sprint, MAN OF PROMISE can put one on the board for the carnival’s top team. The son of Into Mischief has won over further, suggesting he will be doing his best work at the business end.
