Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Meydan, Sandown Park, Leicester, Fontwell Park and Chelmsford City.
MEYDAN
Race 4 UAE Oaks (Group 3)
No5 MNASEK
Trainer: Doug Watson – Jockey: Pat Dobbs
If avoiding a slow start, 1,000 Guineas runner-up MNASEK can bag this Classic at the main expense of Last Sunset. The selection made up her ground all too late to reel in runway scorer Soft Whisper and is going to greatly appreciate tonight’s 300 metres longer trip. Last Sunset chased home the same foe in the Guineas trial, but has finished second on four of her last five outings.
Race 5 Zabeel Mile (Group 2)
No8 ESCOBAR (Each Way)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
O’Meara has already enjoyed success at the Carnival with Lord Glitters and now it could be the turn of ESCOBAR to raise his game. Although finishing only tenth on debut at this course last month he was beaten just two and a quarter lengths in what was a handicapper’s dream finish. He could well get a faster pace to aim at, which was the scenario in which he beat Lord North at Ascot in the autumn of 2019. That might have been a while ago, but it’s very solid form if near repeated.
Race 6 Balanchine (Group 2)
No1 ALTHIQA (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
Named after its first Classic winner, the Balanchine is a race Godolphin love to win and that in itself makes ALTHIQA a name to conjure with. The Dark Angel filly had most of these in her wake when returning to lift the Cape Verdi over a mile. She steps up in distance under a penalty, but can confirm her superiority over Dubai Love.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 5 No8 PIPESMOKERTrainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
As his trainer’s only runner at the meeting PIPESMOKER has to be afforded the utmost respect. The gelded son of Derby winner Authorized was boldly campaigned last season, chasing home good horses like stablemate Chantry House at Cheltenham and Sporting John at Ascot. He’s been working well ahead of this belated seasonal reappearance.
Race 7 No4 DORKING LADTrainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: Jamie Moore
Perennial bridesmaid DORKING LAD might be worth giving one more chance to, although his followers require the patience of Job. He ran well in a jumper-bumper earlier in the month, and should be suited by the make and shape of today’s race. It was only by a head that he succumbed last time when he didn’t appear to shirk the issue.
LEICESTER
Race 1 No1 MUCKAMORE
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Although disappointing in his two chases this season, MUCKAMORE can now begin to endorse the promise of his hurdling campaign last winter. The former Irish pointer went out like a light last time, but that was when his stable were going through a quiet patch, and he’s been given a freshening break ahead of this first outing of 2021. He is also equipped with a first time tongue tie.
Race 5 No4 ONE FOR ROSIE (Nap)
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass
ONE FOR ROSIE is a fascinating contender on debut for his trainer, having promised to go a long way with his previous handler as a novice. The grey won on three of seven starts and if jumping fences as well as he did hurdles might prove too hot for these foes to handle.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 1 No5 CALVARIO (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
CALVARIO attracted support on debut for his trainer only to ultimately disappoint at Chepstow back in November. Importantly he’s been given plenty of time to come through a period of sickness that affected the Whittington horses. With clear signs that they are now well on the way back he has to be taken seriously.
Race 5 No6 KENNY GEORGE (Each Way)
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: Sean Houlihan
A winner and in the money in his other three starts at this figure-of-eight course, KENNY GEORGE is ready to step up to the plate after chasing home Lily The Pink on his latest start last month. Conditions should play to his strengths, and he can again take home a cheque.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 2 No2 MEHMO (Nap)
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Adam Kirby
If getting the rub of the green against recent scorer, MEHMO can gain an overdue first career triumph. He’s got better with each outing since joining his astute trainer and with cheek pieces to assist can better his recent near miss at Lingfield.
