Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing at Hamilton, Haydock, Ripon, Chelmsford and Ffos Las.
Hamilton Park Best Bets
Race 5: OCALA (4)
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: Silvestre de Sousa
A silk smooth win for OCALA at Chepstow last month has given the filly’ confidence a boost. The 4yo hasn’t got many miles on the racing clock and so comfortably did she get the job done that a step up the class ladder shouldn’t halt her progress under the champion jockey.
Race 6: KENNY THE CAPTAIN (12)
Trainer: Tim Easterby
Jockey: Duran Fentiman
It was in a slightly higher grade that KENNY THE CAPTAIN finished third over course and distance last week but the fact that underfoot conditions look like being softer counts heavily in this fellow’s favour. At eight he’s the old man of the party but I fancy him to be in the money at the very least.
Haydock Best Bet
Race 1: EARL OF HARROW (3)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
If rain in the northwest materialises this will further strengthen my confidence that EARL OF HARROW can follow-up his recent success at Windsor. He had to dig deep to get the job done but off a fast pace he travelled smoothly and showed gritty determination to hang on. He’s been slow in coming to hand but now the penny has dropped he’s one to follow.
Ripon Best Bet
Race 2: PATCHOULI (1)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Nicola Currie
Three visits to Nottingham and three poor draws there haven’t helped PATCHOULI and the top weight again has to overcome breaking widest. She’s arguably unlucky not to have added to her only career success at Lingfield and has the ability to be competitive going right-handed and with the chance of enjoying easier ground, as there’s rain forecast in the North.
Chelmsford City Best Bet
Race 1: NAT LOVE (6)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Scott McCullough
The only one on this field with prizemoney in his satchel, NAT LOVE should have learned a great deal from his debut outing over course and distance when he lost his winning chance with a sluggish start. However, he was allowed to find his way forward and after switching to the rail finished best of all in the home straight. That makes him very much the one to beat here.
Ffos Las Best Bet
Race 7: CODESHARE (5)
Trainer: Peter Bowen
Jockey: Sean Bowen
With Flanagan Field almost certain to defect after running at Newton Abbot yesterday this is best left to the lightly raced and unexposed CODESHARE. The 7yo shaped promisingly to trouble the judge in a 17-runner handicap at Ludlow and if anything this looks easier. He has it in him to raise his game and give these foes short shrift.
