Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Sha Tin, Ffos Las, Plumpton and Southwell on 9 April 2023.
Check out Neil's video preview for Sha Tin's Sprint Cup and the Chairman's Trophy:
Sha Tin
Race 8 THE SPRINT CUP (Group 2)
No1 LUCKY SWEYNESSE (Nap)
Trainer: Manfred Man – Jockey: Zac Purton
LUCKY SWEYNESSE is dominating the Hong Kong sprint scene whilst showing himself to be just as good over 1400 metres as 1200. That was evident when he outgunned California Spangle in the Silver Jubilee Cup when he had WELLINGTON a well beaten in third. The latter should enjoy returning to a shorter trip and can prove more effective, and if acquitting himself well will like the selection be aimed at the Chairman’s Sprint Prize.
CORDYCEPS SIX brings good handicap form to the table but as a roughie I prefer COURIER WONDER, even though he needs the cards to fall right. The six-year-old has twice chased LUCKY SWEYNESSE’s shadow this year, but could close the gap to become the main threat to the favourite.
Prediction: 1st LUCKY SWEYNESSE, 2nd Courier Wonder, 3rd Wellington, 4th Cordyceps Six
Race 9 THE CHAIRMAN’S TROPHY (Group 2)
No 4 BEAUTY JOY (E/W)
Trainer: Tony Cruz – Jockey: Hugh Bowman
CALIFORNIA SPANGLE will be the go-to horse for thousands of bettors and that number will soar if Lucky Sweynesse triumphs in the previous race. That’s because Lucky Sweynesse beat the first-named fair and square in the Silver Jubilee Cup, and hence would receive a powerful form boost. I sense however there may be a minor upset, which should emerge from the triumvirate of RUNNING GLORY, MONEY CATCHER and BEAUTY JOY.
Running Glory is an improving handicapper, so this is a big jump up the ladder, while Money Catcher ran the race of his life to get within a length and a half of outstanding champion Golden Sixty when last seen at the end of February. BEAUTY JOY ran similarly against Golden Sixty in January, and while beaten further is an improving type that can raise his game at an attractive double-figure price.
Prediction: 1st BEAUTY JOY, 2nd California Spangle, 3rd Money Catcher, 4th Running Glory
Check out Neil's video preview for Plumpton's Easter Sunday meeting below:
FFOS LAS
Race 3 No1 FINE CASTING
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
FINE CASTING’s fourth in the Imperial Cup was his best effort in a season of consistent earning. He’s up against a couple of dangerous foes in Conkwell Legend and Big Bresil, but has the wherewithal to take the spoils.
Race 4 No2 SUPER SURVIVOR (Nap)
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
SUPER SURVIVOR embarks on only a fourth run of the season and can get back the losses sustained on him at Uttoxeter last month, where he got going all too late to land a blow. His earlier form to thrash Mister Coffee at Chepstow reads very well in the context of this race, and he can regain the winning thread.
Race 5 No2 THUNDERCLAP
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Aidan Coleman
THUNDERCLAP has limited experience as a hurdler, but after chasing home Milldam at Huntingdon should be well equipped to serve up a big earning run in this first outing in handicap company. His trainer hasn’t enjoyed much luck with his small team of jumpers, but this fellow can buck the trend.
PLUMPTON
Race 5 No1 AUCUNRISQUE
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Caoilin Quinn
The featured Sussex Champion Hurdle can go to AUCUNRISQUE who is narrowly preferred to shock Ascot scorer Blueking D’Oroux. The top weight ran well to a point when making much of the running in the County Hurdle, and while ultimately weakening out of it in that Cheltenham contest he will be right at home on this tight track which can favour front runners. Blueking D’Oroux popped up at 50-1 last week after corrective wind surgery, and if as good as he looked that day will be a threat to all.
Race 6 No3 TIGHTENOURBELTS (Nap)
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
By her high standards it hasn’t been a great season for Lavelle, but in TIGHTENOURBELTS she has an exciting prospect that could go a long way both as a hurdler and a chaser. The six-year-old was unlucky not to win at Market Rasen before bolting up at Ludlow. He’s going to enjoy the move into handicaps, and I’m tempted to have a decent bet.
MARKET RASEN
Race 2 No7 SALADAM (Nap)
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Sean Bowen
SALADAM has gone 2-3222 but is in no way ungenuine. He’s had his chances but in this step back up to two and a half miles he’s the clear form pick, and will hopefully make no mistake.
Race 5 No3 SNOWY CLOUDS
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Sean Quinlan
SNOWY CLOUDS has gone up 8lb for an authoritative success at Catterick since when he’s hidden his light under a bushel. The grey takes a step up the class ladder on his return from a mid season break, but is a good prospect that should prove hard to stop.
SOUTHWELL
Race 2 No5 TEES DOUGE (Nap)
Trainer: Adrian Nicholls – Jockey: Barry McHugh
TEES DOUGE did too much too soon in the Brocklesby, paying the price as he weakened out of it in the final 300 yards. The Dream Ahead gelding is going to be more streetwise, and if handling the Tapeta surface has a great chance to earn.
Race 6 No4 EM JAY KAY
Trainer: Phil McEntee – Jockey: Josephine Gordon
EM JAY KAY is a winner here and closely matched with Blackjack. The selection is the more consistent of the pair, and should take away a sizeable cheque whilst being a banker for all exotic permutations.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)
8, 2, 10 x 5, 6 x 1 x 3, 1, 9 x 1 x 4, 7 x 2, 1, 4
R108
