Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, Yarmouth, Beverley and Lingfield Park.
Newbury Best Bets
Race 5: No3 – GOLD WAND (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
With the form of her Doncaster makes working out incredibly well, it’s hard to look past GOLD WAND opening her account. In finishing second that day she succumbed only to Oaks prospect in Domino Darling, while the third, fifth and sixth-placed fillies have each reappeared to score. Add to this the fact that the selection will be suited by this longer trip, and she appeals as the best bet on the card.
Race 6: No3 – INVOLVED
Trainer: George Boughey – Jockey: James Doyle
INVOLVED could have a big edge on his foes courtesy of a pleasing comeback run at Newmarket last week when beaten in a photo by Inclyne. That was his first outing for Boughey, and there are no surprise connections are trying to strike before the gelding is reassessed. The selection has had a few issues, meaning there’s a likelihood of improvement, while he’s reported to have taken those exertions in his stride.
Yarmouth Best Bets
Race 2: No4 – YOU OWE ME (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Franny Norton
This three-year-old only handicap presents YOU OWE ME with a glowing opportunity to open his account for a stable whose horses are firmly in the groove. His best of three outings last year was easily his best, finishing third on the Kempton Polytrack. Gelded in the winter, he is going to be favoured by this step up to a mile and a half and if typical of his sire Champs Elysees’ progeny, will improve for that.
Race 6: No3 – MAN OF PROMISE
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
With Cold Front never really looking like winning at Kempton last week it’s worth taking on that horse with MAN OF PROMISE. He has a ten-month absence to overcome, while his market rival will be iron fit, but the Godolphin-owned selection has plenty going for him. He ran a cracker when beaten just half a length into third by Mums Tipple and Molatham at Ascot on debut which is very strong form, as the second won at Listed level, while my selection will enjoy this step up to seven furlongs.
Race 8: No2 – GUVENOR’S CHOICE
Trainer: Grant Tuer – Jockey: S H James
Competing off a mark 1lb lower than for his solid first run for Tuer at Wolverhampton, GUVENOR’S CHOICE can go one better in a weak-looking finale. The grey looked to struggle in Class 5 handicaps until dropped into a seller by his previous trainer, but the change of scenery appears to have done him some good.
Beverley Best Bets
Race 1: No9 – NODSASGOODASAWINK (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Ben Curtis
An eye taking jockey booking for NODSASGOODASAWINK together with the fact the daughter of Sixties Icon has the advantage of a run under her belt makes this combination of interest in the opener. Her trainer’s horses invevitably improve from their first run to a second and she can prove a case in point, especially with the yard amongst the winners.
Race 4: No6 – SILVER SNIPER
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
Starting as an 80-1 roughie, SILVER SNIPER surpassed expectations when troubling the judge on his racecourse debut at Newcastle last week. The gelding appeals as the pick of his trainer’s three runners in this race and will be a lot sharper with that run under his belt. He can show sufficient progression to prove too hot for probable race favourite Modular Music who carries a 5lb penalty for his Redcar win last September.
Race 6: No7 – RAINS OF CASTAMERE (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Ben Curtis
This track with its stiff uphill finish should prove ideal for RAINS OF CASTAMERE, who seeks a hat-trick following all-weather successes at Lingfield and Kempton. He responded to his pilot’s urging to score going away in a step out of plating company last time, and can more than hold his own in this 0-70 over the same trip.
Race 7: No8 – TANGLED (Each Way)
Trainer: Karen Tutty – Jockey: Gemma Tutty
TANGLED has proved an enigma since being purchased out of the Hannon stable. While his efforts have arguably improved for the equipping of a hood, his appearances on turf are infrequent. He tackles this contest having performed in five consecutive races on Newcastle’s Tapeta surface through the winter. It’s getting towards three years since his last win in a valuable Sales race at York, but losing runs are there to be broken if you are fairly handicapped, and I think he is.
Lingfield Park Best Bets
Race 1: No1 – GORDONSTOUN
Trainer: Paul and Oliver Cole – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
With the benefit of a run already Risqué could prove a popular pick but GORDONSTOUN is fancied to trump her on debut. The Gleneagles colt has shown good natural speed in his work and it’s worth taking stock of the fact Paul Cole often sends his more precocious juveniles to debut on an artificial surface.
Race 2: No4 – TWILIGHTING (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: David Probert
From a good draw, TWILIGHTING returns to the distance (6f) of her only career success at Kempton and with another year on her back is a stronger filly. She underachieved on a couple of occasions last season in races she should have won, charting the wrong course down the middle at Chepstow and experiencing traffic problems when last seen at Wolverhampton in November. The Candy horses are in good form and following a couple of near misses, she can be its first winner.
Race 7: No2 – BLESSED (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: David Probert
In the same colours as Twilighting, BLESSED can go well at a price in this maiden. His best effort in three attempts happened here in late November when the son of Canford Cliffs finished fourth to Odyssey Girl. He has Orczy and Naked Lass to get past in order to win, but the former hails from a yard whose runners are generally needing a run, while Naked Lass is an unraced joker in the pack.
Race 8: No5 – GOLDEN CYGNET
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Aside from bearing the same name as one of the best novice hurdlers ever seen, and running in the silks of the Prince Of Wales and the Duchess Of Cornwall, GOLDEN CYGNET has a good chance in her own right of doing better in handicaps this year. She looked a slow burner and started at 20-1, 20-1 and 40-1 for her three outings as a juvenile but is going to be far happier now racing over middle distances.
