Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing at Beverley, Chepstow, Salisbury, Yarmouth and Lingfield.
Beverley Best Bet
Race 5: BURTONWOOD (13)
Trainer: Julie Camacho
Jockey: Graham Lee
Shaping like a sprinter that is coming to the boil, BURTONWOOD got going too late over course and distance last time but was only beaten threequarters of a length by Ginger Jam. From his wide draw, much will depend on the gelding enjoying racing real estate in the closing stages, but he’s worth backing.
Race 7: ONE TO GO (5)
Trainer: Tim Easterby
Jockey: Danny Redmond
The strong travelling ONE TO GO doesn’t always find as much off the bridle as he promises, hence form figures that read 422324. However, he’s well berthed to find a nice racing slot behind the leaders and given a bit of luck at the business end can gain an overdue success.
Chepstow Best Bets
Race 3: NAT LOVE (6)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Scott McCullough
NAT LOVE goes well for his capable apprentice jockey whose 5lb claim should greatly assist his cause. The selection enjoyed this seven-furlong trip when failing to peg back Miss Villanelle at Newbury to post a third-second place finish in four starts. He looked in great form in a bit of work under McCullough last week and goes to post in great order.
Race 4: TWILIGHTING (10)
Trainer: Henry Candy
Jockey: Charles Bishop
TWILIGHTING failed to shape like a sprinter when admittedly given too much to do at Chelmsford last week and now needs to make amends. She’s a well-related filly who has had issues, but cut in the ground at this course should prove ideal for her, even though most of her rivals are also horses that like to be held up. I think she should have won last time, and her jockey has a point to prove.
Salisbury Best Bets
Race 1: INCOGNITO (2)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Gerald Mosse
With the assistance of a new jockey, INCOGNITO can put her best foot forward to open her account and is the best bet on the card. Having been a shade unlucky to finish second to a highly regarded filly at Newmarket, Incognito ran creditably in a warm maiden at the Goodwood Festival and was only just out of the money. That race, won by the potentially smart Vividly, was a far hotter contest than this.
Race 5: MARIE’S DIAMOND (8)
Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: Franny Norton
Norton has struck up a good relationship with MARIE’S DIAMOND who is on a hat-trick in thus bid to win Salisbury’s most important race of the year. She was pure gameness when making all and resisting Di Fede in a Listed race at Pontefract, and looks one of those relentless gallopers her trainer excels with. She should certainly appreciate the nature of this course.
Race 7: SEA OF FAITH (2)
Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: James Doyle
While unable to live up to her reputation since the spring, the one time Oaks hope SEA OF FAITH is surely at a level here that she can operate and get back to winning ways. She travelled smoothly and looked all over the winner of a Class 2 handicap at Newbury last month only to run out of puff in the final strides. In a blanket finish, she was beaten only a neck, and this slightly shorter distance should prove ideal.
Yarmouth Best Bets
Race 5: IFTON (2)
Trainer: Ruth Carr
Jockey: Jamie Spencer
In interesting jockey booking as Spencer combines with IFTON for the first time. The selection has looked like a step up to a mile may be the order of the day and was doing all his best work at the finish at Epsom last time. I’ve not convinced those undulations suited Ifton, who has a nice long straight in which to get organised here.
Lingfield Best Bets
Race 1: EXCELLED (2)
Trainer: James Fanshawe
Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
But for being disadvantaged when his rider dropped his whip, EXCELLED would have gone close at Wolverhampton last time and has the look of a winner without a penalty. He managed to remain in front until well inside the final furlong and was only headed late by Assimilation. Furthermore, it was easily his best run of the season, and he looks ready to strike.
