Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Newcastle and Newmarket.
Newcastle Best Bets
Race 4: No10 – RICH APPROACH (Each Way)
Trainer: James Bethell – Jockey: PJ McDonald
Course and distance winner RICH APPROACH is at his best on the Tapeta surface and ran better than it looked when finishing fourth here just before the lockdown. He travelled well that day and after not finding as much as expected towards the finish can make amends if getting the rub, with blinkers replacing his usual visor.
Race 6: No1 – A’ALI
Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
In spite of carrying a penalty for his Group 2 successes in the Norfolk and Flying Childers Stakes, A’ALI has much to recommend him dropping back into a Group 3 for this featured Pavilion Stakes. He looks every inch a decent sprinter in the making and can be forgiven his blip at the Santa Anita Breeders’ Cup when he blew the start and could never get competitive.
Race 8: No8 – BARRINGTON (Each Way)
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Alistair Rawlinson
Named after former trainer Barry Hills, BARRINGTON is trying to end a losing run that has stretched to 16, while he’s yet to win in 13 races on sand. However his recent form looks better, and if getting racing real estate at the business end is poised to put in an earning run.
Newmarket Best Bets
Race 3: No8 – MAGICAL LAND
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
Godolphin could be set for a field day with its unraced two-year-olds on Day 1 of the Qipco Guineas meeting. There are certainly rave reports circulating about MAGICAL LAND in this colts’ race over the final 6 furlongs of the Rowley Mile. He’s by Frankel and related to some fast horses on the dam’s side, and should prove hard to beat.
Race 4: No1 – CREATIVE FORCE
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
CREATIVE FORCE is a beautifully-bred colt by Dubawi who has been given all the time needed to develop into his frame. Importantly he has abundant speed on the maternal side of the chart as his dam Choose Me is by the champion Australian sprinter Choisir. Has given off some very positive signals at home.
Race 5: No7 – SKY ANGEL
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
The first division of the fillies’ maiden can fall to SKY ANGEL. She cost all of €800,000 as a yearling, and though her sire Mayhem was a Group-winning middle-distance performer there’s plenty of speed on the dam’s side and she’s closely related to Donnybrook, a 6 furlongs winner as a juvenile.
Race 6: No7 – SUNSET MEMORY
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
SUNSET MEMORY is by the sensational Shamardal but more stoutly bred than the stablemates running before her. Nevertheless, the chestnut is no slouch and has given every indication she’s capable of striking at the first time of asking. Prospective backers will get a nice line onto her via Sky Angel in the previous race.
Race 7: No4 – CHAIRMANOFTHEBOARD
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Having looked as if he might be a bit special when scoring by a country mile on his two-year-old debut, CHAIRMANOFTHEBOARD hasn’t managed to live up to his early reputation. He’s had breathing issues but now, two years further down the road, appears to be finding his ilk. He ran well to place on the Polytrack at Chelmsford before the lockdown and is very fit as well as fancied for this return to grass.
