Neil Morrice brings you all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Thirsk, Windsor, Ayr, Lingfield Park and Southwell.
THIRSK
Race 2 No1 SMEATON’S LIGHT (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
SMEATON’S LIGHT has a tendency to veer leaving the stalls and if he’s to be competitive he needs to be on his arrow-like best behaviour. The Dragon Pulse gelding has ability and may achieve a minor place, with this being the run that earns him a handicap mark.
Race 3 No11 SIXCOR (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
SIXCOR has started 66-1, 80-1 and 200-1 for his three outings to date and shown nothing. That said, he’s a horse that might improve now going down the handicap route, and could earn at a working man’s price.
WINDSOR
Race 3 No6 STAY WELL (Nap)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Tom Marquand
STAY WELL’s only course form produced a very encouraging second in a Doncaster maiden last September, in which he finished to good effect. There should be abundant improvement in the son of Iffraaj, who is unquestionably the one to beat.
Race 4 No6 MAIDEN CASTLE
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: David Probert
First time back might be the moment to catch MAIDEN CASTLE whose Wolverhampton win last autumn has worked out well. He underperformed on his only previous visit to this course, but has the ability to win on grass.
AYR
Race 3 No1 BIELSA (Nap)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Kevin Stott
Named after the current Leeds United manager, BIELSA is the only bet on this tricky card. The top weight was campaigned in Class 2 handicaps in three 2020 outings when his latest effort when fifth to Gulliverat York reads particularly well. Furthermore, he’s now going into battle with the addition of a second wind operation.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 4 No2 DOLLAR BID (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
Stoute has done well with his returning runners so far this season and in DOLLAR BID age has another winner waiting to happen. The Frankel gelding faces a stern opponent in Modmin, but some encouraging homework indicates my selection is ready to put his best foot forward.
Race 6 No4 DARK PHOENIX (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Mohammed Tabti
From a plum draw DARK PHOENIX can be competitive on this second run back for a stable that’s been slow off the blocks. The grey probably needed that midfield finish behind Evasive Power and now returns to the venue where he recorded his latest of three career wins.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No5 VILLANELLE
Trainer: Jonny Portman – Jockey: Luke Morris
This looks a glowing opportunity for VILLANELLE to end a frustrating run of seconditis. The Muhaarar filly has hit three crossbars but she’s the only one going into this handicap with form to her name.
Race 6 No10 REGAL VEGA (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Roman Scott
Lope De Vega colt REGAL VEGA put in a solid earning run on his Haydock debut last autumn and brings strong vibes to the table suggesting he’s done well ahead of this seasonal reappearance. With his stable firing in the winners he looks the best bet on the card.
