Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Thursday’s racing taking place at Bath, Ripon, & Stratford.
BATH
Race 4: No3 – CORONATION COTTAGE
Trainer: Malcolm Saunders – Jockey: Charlie Bennett
Speedily bred CORONATION COTTAGE has to look back to the 2017 campaign for her brace of successes at her trainer’s local track, but after some match practice following lockdown, she may now be ready to recover that level of form. If repeating her half a length second to Indian Sounds in a Class 6 at the end of June she could give her rivals plenty to think about.
Race 6: No4 – OVERWRITE (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Harry Bentley
OVERWRITE looks worthy ‘Nap’ material following his cracking run in a much better race than this at Goodwood last week. As long as this doesn’t come too soon the three-year-old should have no problem going one better for a trainer who excels with his runners at the course. The roan son of Zebedee ran Muraad to half a length in that apprentices’ handicap and can prove too hot for his older rivals to handle.
RIPON
Race 2: No4 – CITRON MAJOR
Trainer: Nigel Tinkler – Jockey: Roman Scott
Now that he has regained the winning thread, CITRON MAJOR figures to go well in the visor that helped bring about his smart course and distance triumph last month. Replacing cheek pieces with that headgear did the trick for the chestnut who is in the mood to follow-up.
Race 6: No5 – FISHABLE (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
On only a third career start FISHABLE made short shrift of Scottish Summit, slamming that rival by three and a quarter lengths at this course and over today’s distance. He’s burdened with a 7lb penalty but is still the most likely runner in the field to produce improvement, making him of serious interest.
Race 7: No8 – COMPETITION (Each Way)
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Ben Curtis
COMPETITION has been around the block and is now on a third trainer, but since joining Appleby his fortunes have risen, courtesy of a Bath success and two placed efforts before finishing sixth to Songkran in a big field at the first-named track. He was beaten just over three lengths by that prolific winner and should make some kind of impression getting stacks of weight from his foes in this admittedly better class affair.
STRATFORD
Race 3: No3 – ROSE TO FAME
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass
A 15-month absence might not prevent ROSE TO FAME continuing from where she left off when last seen in the spring of 2019. She carries colours made famous by Cheltenham Festival winner Rose Ravine and had really found her niche with successes at Ludlow and Taunton. The addition of cheekpieces appeared to help galvanise the mare, together with the befits of a wind op, and no surprise to see the headgear stay on.
Race 8: No2 – MONTY’S AWARD
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
MONTY’S AWARD went down by only a neck to Soldier Of Love on his seasonal return at Bangor, form boosted by the subsequent follow-up triumph of the winner. That should have put him right in the zone for a match up with Oscar Rose who poses a serious threat, but one that might fall short.
Race 9: No1 – BEHOLDEN (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Conor O’Farrell
BEHOLDEN has enjoyed mixed fortune on his two recent visits to this course. He landed a sizeable gamble in early July despite jumping a path in the closing stages but exuded the same trait that brought about a short-head defeat by Little Jessture last time. This strong traveller may be too far clear of his foes to allow the path issue to prevent him from returning to winning ways.
