Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing at Chelmsford City, Newcastle, Ludlow, and Taunton.
Chelmsford City Best Bet
Race 1: ICE ICE LADY (1)
Trainer: Archie Watson
Jockey: Adam McNamara
ICE ICE LADY got the job done in a very professional manner on her debut at Lingfield last week. She has to shoulder a penalty for the clear cut success but can strike while the iron’s hot.
Race 3: NIGHT VOYAGER (6)
Trainer: James Tate
Jockey: PJ McDonald
On his third start NIGHT VOYAGER should be ready to deliver, having shown plenty of improvement when second to Sansevero over seven furlongs here earlier in the month. He should appreciate this longer trip, having finished off his race strongly, while he’s drawn to get a good early position from which to counter in the straight.
Newcastle Best Bets
Race 2: PAPA POWER (2)
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
This looks a match between Da Vinci and PAPA POWER, preference being for the latter who has the greater experience and was hugely impressive when opening his account at Chelmsford. His forcing tactics soon had the field strung out and he came home unchallenged, form which is arguably better than Da Vinci’s debut triumph over the same course and distance.
Race 3: PADDLEYOUROWNCANOE (7)
Trainer: Colin Tizzard
Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
The completion of a hat-trick beckons for PADDLEYOUROWNCANOE even though the 6yo takes a jump up the class ladder. His connections are sparing with their runners on the Flat, but this horse looks to be progressing at a good rate of knots judging by the way he bolted up on Fibresand last month.
Ludlow Best Bets
Race 3: THE NEWEST ONE (5)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
THE NEWEST ONE will never be able to emulate The New One but connections appear to have found a good opportunity for him in this handicap hurdle. Although beaten a long way behind Palladium at Sandown earlier in the month he could be a different proposition over this much longer distance.
Race 5: KILCONNY BRIDGE (3)
Trainer: Anthony Honeyball
Jockey: Ben Godfrey
Prolific scorer KILCONNY BRIDGE looked a handicapper to follow when strolling home at Exeter and looks a mare to follow until beaten. She faces a field of hold up horses, meaning she could get onto an uncontested lead.
Race 7: ALL GOOD THINGS (7)
Trainer: Matt Sheppard
Jockey: Stan Sheppard
ALL GOOD THINGS has enjoyed a nice break since chasing home a decent yardstick at Uttoxeter in December and looks to hold solid claims with a capable conditional on his back. The strong traveller might have recent winner Demopolis give him most trouble.
Taunton Best Bets
Race 4: MISTER MURCHAN (5)
Trainer: Richard Rowe
Jockey: James Davies
MISTER MURCHAN is consistency personified and has solid claims to return to winning ways in this long-distance handicap hurdle. The 7yo travelled best at Huntingdon last month but was beaten to the punch by The Composeur. He’s pleased his trainer in recent work and schooling.
Race 7: TIME TO TINKER (8)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Harry Cobden
With an encouraging first run under his belt TIME TO TINKER will be a warm order for the concluding bumper and should deliver for the champion trainer. It was in a 16-runner field that he found only Picanha too strong at Exeter.
