Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Thursday’s racing taking place at Beverley, Chelmsford City, Lingfield Park & Sedgefield.
BEVERLEY
Race 2: No7 – USS NIMITZ
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Joe Fanning
USS NIMITZ troubled the judge on debut at Newmarket, form that sets the standard for the others to aim at in this second division of the novice stakes. The son of Zoffany will be more streetwise, and unless there’s something smart amongst the newcomers, should open his account.
Race 3: No1 – EGRECIO
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
From the rail, EGRECIO could prove too strong for King’s Knight in this novice run around a bend. The Intello gelding put in a couple of solid runs in defeat after joining his trainer from Ireland and was competing in a better race than this when down the field in a Class 4 handicap at York. As this is only his sixth career start he has scope for further improvement.
Race 6: No4 – MAJOR JUMBO (Nap)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Kevin Stott
Few sprinters have the consistency of MAJOR JUMBO and the addition of blinkers to the grey should not be seen as a detriment. The headgear should serve to give him a needed sharpening edge in order to get his head in front in this featured Beverley Bullet. Placed in two Group 3s and a Listed from his four outings this year, he’s fully deserving of a change of luck.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 1: No7 – ZEYAADAH (Nap)
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: Dane O’Neill
The vibes for ZEYAADAH suggest she has the natural talent to take out this fillies’ maiden on debut. The daughter of Tamayuz is out of an Act One mare, a clear pointer to her handling any cut in the ground when she races on grass through the autumn, but with regard to today’s assignment, she has worked well on Polytrack in Newmarket.
Race 6: No8 – KIMBERLEY (Each Way)
Trainer: James Fanshawe – Jockey: George Wood
KIMBERLEY has shown an affinity for both sand and grass in her four starts to date and is the type of well-related filly her trainer does well with at this point in the season. She posted a frame finish on her handicap debut at York, and while needing to show improvement to win this, could easily do so.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 4: No3 – ACCOMPLICE
Trainer: Michael Blanshard – Jockey: Dougie Costello
ACCOMPLICE is proving a fine servant to her trainer and from a good draw in this handicap round two turns has a good chance of adding to her laurels. The mare is a three-time winner here, and unbeaten in two visits since the end of lockdown. She made Burguillos pull out all the stops at Salisbury last time, and is in good heart.
Race 5: No10 – DANCING JO
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: George Bass
DANCING JO has to contend with the worst of the draw but is worth chancing based on how well he’s done for his first run back at Windsor. He was one of the first under pressure that day but stuck on well for a frame finish. He had a good blow afterwards, suggesting he should come on a bundle.
Race 6: No5 – DUSK (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
The impeccably-bred DUSK jumps off the page on her handicap bow and could be quite a lot better than she’s shown in the races at Kempton and Doncaster that served to secure her a mark. By champion sire Galileo out of Breeders’ Cup Filly And Mare winner Dank, she has plenty to live up to but has shown enough to indicate she’s good enough to win this.
SEDGEFIELD
Race 1: No7 – TALKING ABOUT YOU
Trainer: Sean Curran – Jockey: James Davies
TALKING ABOUT YOU only ran six times on the Flat before joining her new trainer and was up against another ex-inmate of the Channon stable when third to Hiconic on her jumps debut at Newton Abbot. She will know a lot more of what’s expected on this long haul from Lambourn and should prove hard to beat.
Race 3: No4 – GALILEO SILVER (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: James Bowen
GALILEO SILVER is another long-distance traveller that needs taking very seriously in this second leg of the novices’ hurdle. He responded to the fitting of cheekpieces to beat all but Mercian Prince on a first run for his trainer at Bangor and if progressing from that looks the one to beat.
Race 6: No5 – ARTHUR’S SIXPENCE
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass
Yet another raider from a southern yard, ARTHUR’S SIXPENCE is ready to justify the trip from Cheltenham and complete a four-timer. He looked good value for a wide margin triumph at Fontwell and can defy a 7lb penalty.
