Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday's racing coming your way from Newbury, Ludlow, Newcastle, Southwell and Chelmsford City on 7 November 2024.
NEWBURY
Race 3 No4 BOWTOGREATNESS
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
BOWTOGREATNESS has tested my patience, including when failing to get in a blow on his reappearance at the Cheltenham Open meeting. However, the Westerner gelding would have strong claims if repeating his third to Forward Plan in a valuable handicap chase at Kempton in February and is unquestionably well handicapped.
Race 5 No4 MAJOR FORTUNE (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
MAJOR FORTUNE did us a favour when coping with a cut back on the distance ladder on his return to action at Newton Abbot. He’s carrying a 7lb penalty, but looked to win with more than that up his sleeve, while this track should suit him.
Race 6 No5 THELASTHIGHKING
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
This stable looks set to saddle a market leader in HIGH TREASON, who ended his hurdling career with two wins from his last three. He’s jumped well in preparation for this switch to fences but stablemate THELASTHIGHKING could cause him problems. The selection goes well fresh, and looked unlucky not to score on his 2023 reappearance. This is a belated first visit to Newbury for the chestnut, but it should suit him.
LUDLOW
Race 3 No3 NED CASH
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Plenty of money rode on the back of NED CASH on his first run for the stable at Uttoxeter, but he was ultimately unable to fend off Prolific Profile. It remains an encouraging effort, and he’s jumped well in preparation for this switch to fences.
Race 5 No1 DEEP PURPLE
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Kielan Woods
DEEP PURPLE made no mistake on his first run over hurdles at Southwell. The former winning pointer can serve up an action replay on this similarly easy track, on which he should benefit from a step up in trip.
Race 6 No1 THE KNIPHAND (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
So impressive was THE KNIPHAND on his winning comeback at Southwell that it’s hard to believe that a 5lb penalty will be sufficient to stop him following up. He’s got relatively few miles on his racing clock, and is open to further progression.
Race 7 No4 INTOSOMETHINGGOOD
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
INTOSOMETHINGGOOD has shown promise at home ahead of the concluding bumper. His trainer knows how to ready one for these races, and he can prove a case in point going in at the first time of asking.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No4 VISITANT (Each Way)
Trainer: David Thompson – Jockey: Aiden Brookes
VISITANT troubled the judge as a 22-1 roughie at Redcar when coming with a customary late run. It’s well over a year since his last success, but when running at this course he earns more times than not, and often at protracted odds.
Race 3 No11 WHITE CROWN STAR (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
WHITE CROWN STAR is well drawn for this race around one lap on the track. It’s the first time he’s raced round a bend, but his third to the useful Nightwalker at Yarmouth rates a very good effort.
Race 8 No2 HK FOURTEEN
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Jack Doughty
Carroll found the key to HK FOURTEEN when trying him over a sprint distance at Bath, resulting in a commanding success from the chestnut. He’s out to consolidate under a 7lb penalty, and with DOUGHTY taking a handy 5lb off his back should serve up a carbon copy performance.
SOUTHWELL
Race 5 No2 DEL RAY (Nap)
Trainer: Archie Watson – Jockey: James Doyle
DEL RAY landed some good bets on her Lingfield introduction since when she’s been campaigned parsimoniously. The daughter of Kameko was only denied in a photo on her nursery debut, and can be effective from just 1lb higher
Race 7 No1 RACE THE WIND
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
MAGIC DREAM is getting 7lb from RACE THE WIND, but though showing plenty in her three starts might find her stablemate too hot to handle. The selection returns from a ten-month absence but looks the type to do well in handicaps.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 1 No6 MAKE LOVE
Trainer: James Horton – Jockey: George Wood
MAKE LOVE has squandered a couple of chances, and her trainer now reached for cheekpieces in an attempt to tighten her concentration. She comes with risks attached but brings good form to the table against the equally vulnerable BOUVIER.
Race 4 No3 HI YA MAL (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Rob Hornby
Both Dubawi colt AEGEAN PRINCE and KENTUCKY RIVER, a son of Camelot, take the eye on their respective debuts. The price of one of them winning aggregates to odds on, but it could be worth siding with the proven form of HI YA MAL. He’s already had a couple of runs, latterly making a podium finish in a minor race at Bath, and can play the experience card to good effect.
Race 8 No7 EXPENSIVE QUEEN
Trainer: James Tate – Jockey: Neil Callan
EXPENSIVE QUEEN started life in her new yard with a pleasing effort to chase home Windcrack at Sandown in September. The daughter of Lope De Vega makes a belated first run on the all-weather but has trained well on a similar surface at home.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)
3, 5 x 6, 4 x 3, 1 x 2, 4, 7 x 3, 4 x 2 x 7, 5
R96
