Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Salisbury, Lingfield Park, Beverley and Ffos Las.
SALISBURY
Race 4 No4 ATLANTIC HEART
Trainer: Daniel Kubler – Jockey: David Egan
This stable has been in good form through August, and in ATLANTIC HEART it has a horse on the cusp of a breakthrough win. The Twilight Son filly has progressed from race to race this summer and looks to have been found a very good opportunity.
Race 5 Tattersalls Sovereign Stakes (Group 3)
No1 MODERN NEWS (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
Salisbury’s marquee and only Pattern race can go to the Godolphin-owned MODERN NEWS. The Shamardal gelding has the clear beating of Tempus from his run against that rival at Windsor in the spring, while he’s continued to cut the mustard in both Listed and Group company subsequently. Having won almost half the races he’s contested, the chestnut is going to be a tough nut to crack.
Race 6 No1 SEA ON TIME
Trainer: William Haggas – Jockey: Tom Marquand
The quick ground means that only two take on SEA ON TIME in this valuable fillies’ handicap. Under a double penalty it won’t be straightforward for the daughter of Sea The Stars, but she has always looked a fine prospect for high grade handicaps, and can make this first venture into that part of the racing spectrum a winning one.
Race 7 No4 WHIMSY
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jason Watson
In another race in which any of the runners could win, WHIMSY might be the way to go to down warm favourite Enshrine. The selection receives a handy 9lb from her rival, and in the famous Mellon colours can make it a successful first venture into handicap company.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 2 No3 CONSENSUS DE VEGA (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
CONSENSUS DE VEGA is another well-related filly having her attention switched to handicaps after getting off the mark on her all-weather bow at Lingfield. The beautifully-bred daughter of Lope De Vega has more of an upwardly mobile profile than her foes, of whom top-weight Honky Tonk Man may prove the most troublesome.
Race 4 No2 CUBANA HAVANA
Trainer: Richard Fahey – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
It’s hard to think CUBANA HAVANA is making the long haul from North Yorkshire only for the goodness of his health. The gelded son of Churchill has run well to win and place in each of his three starts in the North, and is likely to relish the step up to a mile and a quarter under a jockey who is firing in the winners.
Race 6 No8 NEANDRA
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Sean Levey
This is a competitive affair in which NEANDRA can make best use of her slot on the favoured rail. The grey absolutely hacked up on her first run in a handicap over course and distance, and even though higher in the weights should prove more than a match for Storm Castle and Merlin’s Beard.
BEVERLEY
Race 2 No7 LEADING COMPANY (Nap)
Trainer: John Quinn – Jockey: Jason Hart
LEADING COMPANY staved off a willing foe in Kiss N Cuddle at Beverley to show that he’s far better than he’d looked beforehand. With his stable riding on a crest of a wave following Highfield Princess’s win in the Group 1 at Deauville he can again bring his own slice of action to the table, and follow-up.
Race 5 No6 MAJIL
Trainer: Nigel Tinkler – Jockey: Rowan Scott
Mehmas filly MAJIL put in a first earning run in a Southwell nursery. She wasn’t beaten far, and has sufficient room for improvement to take the spoils in this weakly contested affair.
FFOS LAS
Race 1 No2 FAIRMAC
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Oliver Stammers
Journeyman FAIRMAC looked unlucky to be caught in the final stride by Percy Jones in one of the handicaps at last week’s Brighton Festival. On this first visit to Ffos Las he can deservedly go one better.
Race 4 No3 HIROMICHI (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
HIROMICHI put in an improved display to get into the money on a recent visit here in which the grey appeared to enjoy the cut in the ground. As long as he’s okay on this slightly quicker terrain he can gain a belated first career win.
LINGFIELD Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)
5, 9, 11 x 3, 1 x 2, 1 x 2, 1 x 11, 10, 4 x 8, 9
R144
