Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Ayr, Wolverhampton, Bangor-On-Dee and Newcastle on Tuesday 29 September 2020.
AYR
Race 1: No4 – CRUYFF TURN (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: William Carver
The ability to settle made a huge difference for CRUYFF TURN when the gelding opened his account in an apprentice handicap at Redcar. That was his first run since obtaining a mark and hinted that there could be better to come as he takes in a similar contest with the same jockey on board.
Race 7: No7 – ABBOTSIDE
Trainer: James Bethell – Jockey: Kevin Stott
With relatively few miles on the clock, ABBOTSIDE is worth chancing to end a sequence of near misses. Runner-up in each of his last three outings, the gelding has twice been denied in photo finishes and deserves a change of luck. Back in handicap company today, he will relish any cut in the ground.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 5: No1 – TORONADO QUEEN (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Fahey – Jockey: Ray Dawson
TORONADO QUEEN was a hugely impressive scorer at a Leicester last week, gaining a first success since her debut more than a year ago. She had been in the wilderness, but after a pleasing run at Sandown demonstrated that she’s now really on the march, as can happen with fillies at this time of year. Her connections are understandably keen to strike while the iron’s hot by running her off her old mark under a penalty.
Race 6: No11 – MAIDEN CASTLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: David Probert
Returning from a two-month break, MAIDEN CASTLE is of interest at a big price in this Class 4 handicap, in which he needs to realise the potential shown in his three-year-old campaign. Apart from a good second on comeback at Kempton, he has twice run poorly this year, but indications from the gallops are that he could easily bounce back and he has a good draw from which to get competitive.
BANGOR-ON-DEE
Race 2: No1 – THE BUTCHER SAID
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Richard Johnson
Reining in the natural exuberance of THE BUTCHER SAID is the task facing his rider in this novice chase. That was achieved for the gelding’s wide margin debut success over fences at Southwell and again when he made a good race of it with the smart Longhouse Sale at Uttoxeter, and he goes into this clash with Cool Destination with his tail up.
Race 5: No2 – FUGITIVES DRIFT (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
This is a warm novice hurdle in which FUGITIVES DRIFT has strong claims. He left two good bumper runs behind when scoring on his switch to hurdles at Huntingdon and was up against a decent foe when chasing home Fidelio Vallis just before lockdown at Kempton. He should find this step back to two and a half miles in his favour.
Race 6: No14 – BOUGHTBEFORELUNCH (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Richie McLernon
Apart from twice failing to finish, BOUGHTBEFORELUNCH has run well in eight other races spread over two seasons and could be well treated getting weight from everything in the field. He’s done plenty of work ahead of this return to the fray and his sheer consistency can carry into another frame finish at least.
SEDGEFIELD
Race 3: No6 – TEKIBLUE DE L’ ORME (Nap)
Trainer: Phil Kirby – Jockey: Thomas Dowson
French-bred TEKIBLUE DE L’ORME returned from almost a year off to land a handicap hurdle at Carlisle and now has his sights set on chasing. He’s been a slow developer but can make up for lost time now that he’s experienced that ‘winning feeling’. Furthermore, he’s schooled well over fences at home for a trainer that has shown Job-like patience with him.
Race 7: No6 – HEY BOB (Each Way)
Trainer: Chris Grant – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
HEY BOB delivered at this course a year ago, benefitting from a patient ride to be produced late. The strong traveller ran well on both outings since the resumption of racing at Perth and has a lot more going for him than his mainly out of form foes.
