Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing at Wincanton, Brighton, Carlisle and Wolverhampton.
Wincanton Best Bet
Race 1: NEBUCHADNEZZAR (6)
Trainer: Alan King
Jockey: Wayne Hutchinson
After finishing second on his debut over hurdles NEBUCHADNEZZAR didn’t manage to reproduce that level of form on his next two starts but nevertheless ran creditably, especially when fourth behind Song For Someone at Warwick back in February. He was then put away early and given plenty of time to mature into his frame. He’s trained pleasingly for this seasonal return.
Race 3: DO YOU KNOW WHAT (2)
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Conor Shoemark
Point-to-point winner DO YOU KNOW WHAT makes his handicap debut and having won at Worcester in July can bounce back from two subsequent defeats. He’s not going to relish the winter ground and connections will be keen to strike again before putting him into hibernation.
Brighton Best Bets
Race 3: BARDO CONTUGUO (7)
Trainer: Roger Varian
Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
As long as BARDO CONTUGUO handles these extreme conditions he looks the best bet on the card. On his handicap debut at Ayr he was hampered when making his move, yet after being switched managed to get out of jail and put his head in front in the last couple of strides. He has only 3lb more to shoulder, which seems lenient.
Race 4: SLY MINX (12)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Hollie Doyle
SLY MINX is a flashy individual that might well appreciate having a girl jockey and like many from her stable should improve a long way from her first run on the racecourse. That came at Newmarket where she started 100-1 and was green but stayed on promisingly at the finish. She’s worked encouragingly in the interim.
Carlisle Best Bet
Race 1: HILL SIXTEEN (8)
Trainer: Sue Smith
Jockey: Danny Cook
With his proven ability to handle this testing track, HILL SIXTEEN looks a tempting proposition getting 12lb from the top weight Khage. Of the pair he is more a typical old fashioned chasing type and while stepping back to two miles is not ideal, his stamina can kick in up the final hill. Whatever happens today he’s one to follow.
Race 4: ARTHUR’S GIFT (2)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey: Sam Twiston- Davies
Having been lightly raced last season there’s a new horizon for ARTHUR’S GIFT as he returns to the scene of his only career success. That came in th3 soft here in February and his subsequent disappointment in the Midlands National can be attributed to the heavy conditions. Like many of his stablemates he’s ready to make his mark at the first time of asking.
Wolverhampton Best Bet
Race 5: STERLING STAMP (8)
Trainer: Paul Cole
Jockey: Ben Curtis
STERLING STAMP displayed admirable track craft to edge out Broughton’s Gold at Kempton only to be disqualified for minor interference in the closing stages. For a free going horse he has a perfect draw three off the rail to get the initiative over odds-on Progressive Rating and can prove hard to catch.