Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Thursday’s racing taking place at Exeter, Hereford, Chelmsford city, and Southwell.
EXETER
Race 1 No1 PURE BLISS
Trainer: Harry Fry – Jockey: Sean Bowen
PURE BLISS looked better the further she travelled when scoring at
Uttoxeter, beating Gazette Bourgeoise with Coquelicot well held in third. The
penalised selection probably needed that race more than her foes, and is poised
to follow-up.
Race 2 No6 KARL PHILIPPE (Nap)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Paddy Brennan
Respect is paid to unbeaten pointer Red Lion Lad on debut under Rules,
but the excellent bumper form of KARL PHILIPPE makes him a slightly more
alluring proposition. He’s shown an affinity for cut in the ground in those
conversions at Hereford and Carlisle, and appeals as the type to go on to
better things now hurdling.
Race 4 No3 BRINKLEY
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Tom Scudamore
The Pipe stable has some eye taking runners on this card and none more
so than BRINKLEY, who makes abundant appeal on handicap debut off a mark of
130. The former Irish-based gelding converted at the first attempt for his
trainer at Newbury, and that ten lengths drubbing of Do Your Job has worked out
especially well.
HEREFORD
Race 1 No4 KEEP ROLLING (Nap)
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Richard Johnson
There’s not much depth to this maiden hurdle, leaving the door open for
KEEP ROLLING to cash in on first outing since a wind operation. The Warwick
bumper scorer showed promise over hurdles on a couple of occasions before the
surgery, and if that’s improved him he’ll be very hard to beat.
Race 2 No5 UNDERSUPERVISION
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
UNDERSUPERVISION impressed on his only point outing in Ireland before
moving to this high profile yard. The Doyen gelding has done everything right
in his tuition for his first run under Rules, and will take plenty of stopping.
Race 4 No5 SUBCONTINENT
Trainer: Venetia Williams – Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
Williams rarely leaves her local track empty-handed, and especially the
one that precedes Christmas. Her runner to grasp the holiday money could well
be SUBCONTINENT, who while not quite as effective as in his days with
Godolphin, remains a classy operator who after a pleasing first run back is now
ready to deliver.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 2 No2 MELODY OF LIFE (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
MELODY OF LIFE created a favourable impression when in the money on his
Kempton introduction last month. He kept on well behind Zaajel and is going to
be a lot more streetwise for a clash with the filly Puy Mary in which he should
prevail.
Race 5 No4 SHA LA LA LA LEE
Trainer: Tom Dascombe – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
SHA LA LA LA LEE hasn’t been out of the frame in three all-weather
outings since scoring at Wolverhampton in October and can return to winning
ways on this first visit to the Braintree venue.
SOUTHWELL
Race 5 No3 HERMOCRATES (Nap)
Trainer: John Mackie – Jockey: Graham Lee
Dusk has a pedigree to die for and will probably command a large amount
of the handle on this mile and a half handicap, but the sister to Dank is
finding it very tough to get her head in front, with preference for
HERMOCRATES. The four-year-old has raised his game since switching to the
deeper Fibresand surface and after two near-misses is ready to deliver.
Race 7 No1 SPRING ROMANCE
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Aside from having to negotiate a difficult draw, SPRING ROMANCE has
plenty going for him in the nightcap, and can make it a fourth success from his
last five outings. The grey has excelled since moving to the Appleby barn in
the autumn, and despite several hikes in the ratings looks in a good spot to
add to his laurels with Doyle 8n the hot seat for the first time.
