Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Thursday’s racing taking place at Wincanton, Market Rasen, Newcastle and Chelmsford City.
WINCANTON
Race 1 No11 PARIS DIXIE (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
PARIS DIXIE’s pleasing debut second for this yard at Chepstow was boosted when the winner Wild Romance ran well in better company at Cheltenham. The Champs Elysees mare enjoys the benefit of the sex allowance against returning Electron Bleu, and has a good opportunity to open her account over jumps.
Race 2 No1 BEYOND THE PALE
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Paddy Brennan
Stepping
up in trip after putting in an assured performance to score on jumps debut at
Fontwell, BEYOND THE PALE makes abundant appeal for a stable that is going
great guns with its novices. The former Irish point-to-pointer is looking a
shrewd purchase, as he also romped home on previous start in a Southwell
bumper.
Race 6 No1 DOLLNAMIX
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
DOLLNAMIX returned to his best when scoring with ridiculous ease at Huntingdon, which is a very similar track to this, and now reappears quickly under a penalty. The nine-year-old lost his way last season but has clearly become well handicapped and the time to cash in is now.
MARKET RASEN
Race 1 No1 STONER’S CHOICE
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Max Kendrick
Though far from being a natural jumper, STONER’S CHOICE has benefitted from extra schooling, as shown on his two impressive wins in novice hurdles at Perth and Carlisle. His double penalty makes securing the hat-trick a bit trickier, though that’s alleviated to an extent by the claim of his jockey, who knows and gets on with him well.
Race 3 FIRST LORD DE CUET
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Fergus Gillard
FIRST LORD DE CUET is typical of the French-breds this trainer does so well with and makes plenty of appeal after a good run in defeat at Sandown. Winner of a point, a bumper and maiden hurdle, the gelding appears to have benefitted from a wind operation, and from a handy mark has a good chance to recover the losses sustained on him at the Esher course.
Race 4 No7 MUCKAMORE (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
MUCKAMORE is a horse to keep on your radar as the season goes on, and makes plenty of appeal in this novices’ limited handicap chase. The six-year-old performed well in all three starts for a syndicate headed by ex jockey Noel Fehily last season, and is regarded as a useful prospect now switched to fences. The winner of a novices’ hurdle at Taunton when last seen in March, he’s a good jumper and more than ready for this return to the fray.
Race 5 No3 DALLAS COWBOY (Each Way)
Trainer: Paula Smith – Jockey: Emma Smith-Chaston
Committed front-runner DALLAS COWBOY was badly in need of the run when pulled-up on reappearance at Huntingdon. He might need another to bring him to the boil, but with his liking for this course and likelihood of getting his own way, he could get into the shake-up at a tasty price.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 8 No6 POPE GREGORY (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: George Bass
The diminutive POPE GREGORY returns to a track where he’s shown much-improved form, winning twice in October before making the frame when upped in class last time. The grey now makes another small step up the ladder and is in good order under an apprentice that knows him well.
NEWCASTLE
Race 6 No6 COLONEL FAULKNER (Nap)
Trainer: Archie Watson – Jockey: Adam McNamara
The main protagonists for this novice stakes are all drawn high, but should dominate affairs regardless. While the value play is possibly Nagasaki Dream, COLONEL FAULKNER has the best form. The son of top sire Wootton Bassett attracted support and went down narrowly on debut at Doncaster, and is strongly fancied to go one better.
