Neil Morrice brings you all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Chester, Worcester, Huntingdon, and Chelmsford City.
CHESTER
Race 1 No4 JABBAROCKIE
Trainer: Eric Alston – Jockey: Harrison Shaw
Alston has a good record with his sprinters on the Roodee and from the favoured rail JABBAROCKIE must be taken very seriously. The eight-year-old turned back the clock with a game success on seasonal return at Musselburgh and should be afforded a good sit on or close to the pace.
Race 2 No5 MAXIMAL
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
The second Derby trial of the meeting, the Listed Dee Stakes, can go to MAXIMAL. The close relative of Frankel hails from a stable go8ng great guns with its three-year-olds and is going to be all the better for his solid comeback run when beating all but Hurricane Lane at Newbury.
Race 4 tote+ Pays You More At tote.co.uk Ormonde Stakes (Group 3)
No3 JAPAN (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Although he largely underwhelmed through the 2021 campaign, JAPAN is giving off good vibes at Ballydoyle and can outclass his foes in one of the most historic races run in Britain. The Galileo entire competed exclusively in Group 1 company for those five outings but drops in class for a reappearance in which he could easily dominate on the way to the major mile and a half or even Cup races.
WORCESTER
Race 2 No5 SIXTEEN LETTERS (Each Way)
Trainer: Kayley Woollacott – Jockey: Mr Joshua Newman
A fascinating runner in this novices’ handicap chase is SIXTEEN LETTERS. The former Irish point-to-pointer ran respectably in all three outings in maiden and novice hurdles this winter but is a chaser through and through. He’s possibly been tough for the handicapper to rate accurately, and can take home a cheque.
Race 5 No7 MEEP MEEP MAG (Nap)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: David Noonan
MEEP MEEP MAG was a decent bumper horse before going onto the sidelines. The former winning pointer needs close inspection on her first outing in 16 months, as some of her form stands up to the closest inspection. She’s been well tutored for this first run over jumps.
Race 8 No1 NYE BEVAN
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jamie Nield
The strong travelling NYE BEVAN did us a good turn when scoring at Fontwell the other day. He has joint top weight in this conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle but enjoys a handy claim from the jockey that partnered him to that victory, and can go back-to-back.
HUNTINGDON
Race 2 No3 PAWPAW (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Richie McLernon
PAWPAW is a name to conjure with in this novices’ handicap hurdle, having raised his game to bolt up at Southwell last time. That wasn’t the hottest of contests, but as it was only his third outing over jumps he should have improvement in the locker.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 2 No5 RUN THIS WAY (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Ben Curtis
Most of the races on this card are decidedly tricky and need avoiding, but an exception is this fillies’ handicap in which RUN THIS WAY is the way to go. She’s getting weight from her foes and should be all the better for a pleasing comeback run at Nottingham.
Race 4 No4 RITCHIE VALENS
Trainer: Tom Clover – Jockey: Laura Pearson
RITCHIE VALENS can prove a hit in this after showing improvement from race to race in three 2021 outings. He gave his trainer a great start to the previous campaign when scoring on debut for him at this course,but has been largely in the grip of the handicapper for the ensuing 11-month period.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)
3, 5 x 5 x 1, 6 x 4, 11, 5 x 4, 1 x 4 x 3
R24
