Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Thursday’s racing at Southwell, Redcar, Salisbury, Chelmsford and Punchestown.
Southwell Best Bet
Race 6: ZORRO’S GIRL (11)
Trainer: Archie Watson
Jockey: Luke Morris
ZORRO’S GIRL did nothing wrong when reeled-in by Peruvian Summer at this course on Monday and deserves a change of luck. His chance is compromised by a wide draw but with other pacesetters in the field, he should be able to get a lead into the straight before making his challenge.
Redcar Best Bets
Race 3: EDGEWOOD (3)
Trainer: James Bethell
Jockey: Graham Lee
While Conundrum is respected following his taking comeback win, a step up in trip is going to help EDGEWOOD who appeals as a better value bet. He was doing all his best work at the finish on his first turf run of the season at Pontefract and is going to be far more in his comfort zone tackling a mile.
Race 5: CLAYTON (2)
Trainer: Archie Watson
Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Dual purpose performer CLAYTON has outstanding claims and can go from gate to wire for his in form stable. It was only a Musselburgh seller he landed for new connections but it shows he’s back in the zone and confirms his fitness in a race where he’s a mile in front of the others on the book.
Salisbury Best Bet
Race 5: PAST MASTER (4)
Trainer: Henry Candy
Jockey: David Probert
With his liking for this course illustrated by two successes last season, PAST MASTER must now try to defy a career-high mark. His form had a consistent ring to it after the first of those triumphs and he’s reported to have strengthened up through the winter. He still has few miles on the clock and can improve further, even as a 6yo.
Chelmsford Best Bets
Race 1: LITTLETON HALL (1)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Callum Shepherd
While the connections of Odds-on Lambeth Walk have a good line onto him through Electric Ladyland, it could be worth taking a punt on LITTLETON HALL improving past her. The selection is typical of the Channon juveniles in that he made great strides from his first race to the second, and kept in really well at Kempton, showing a liking for this surface.
Race 6: MAAMORA (9)
Trainer: Simon Crisford
Jockey: David Egan
Representing a Newmarket maiden that looked to have depth, MAAMORA can endorse the promise she showed in chasing home Lavender’s Blue. She made a good fist of trying to wire that contest and like some of her trainer’s fillies was thought to have needed the run. Granted normal progression she should be on the premises.
Punchestown Best Bet
Race 2: CROCO BAY (5)
Trainer: Ben Case
Jockey: Kielan Woods
Veteran CROCO BAY rolled back the years to hand out a front running masterclass in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival and can confirm his superiority over Bun Dorian on only a pound worse terms. His jumping was a joy to behold and he displayed fighting qualities to fend off his rival up the final hill.
