Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing at Chelmsford, Southwell, Ffos Las and Wincanton.
Chelmsford Best Bet
Race 3: PARTRIDGE (4)
Trainer: Richard Hannon
Jockey: John Fahey
At weight for age plus her sex allowance and the fact that Nigel Nott is carrying a penalty, PARTRIDGE can take full advantage of the 28lb she receives from the latter in this novice stakes. The selection proved costly to follow last year, showing immense promise but winding up with a heavy defeat when odds-on at Lingfield. She hasn’t run since the height of that summer but is reported ready for this reintroduction.
Race 6: THAI TERRIER (3)
Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: Joe Fanning
This can prove a case of third time lucky for THAI TERRIER as he cuts back on the distance ladder. Second on his only juvenile start and then narrowly beaten on his Kempton return over a mile and a half, the colt receives 7lb from the unbeaten Makthecat and can lower his colours.
Southwell Best Bets
Race 3: TELEKINETIC (8)
Trainer: Tony Carroll
Jockey: Hollie Doyle
The hooded TELEKINETIC asserted well towards the finish to score in his seasonal return here, suggesting a longer trip would suit. He now moves up a rad on the distance scale for a trainer whose horses are in very good order and should play a big part if he can break and obtain a good position from his outside draw.
Race 4: DARK REGARD (2)
Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: PJ McDonald
DARK REGARD valiantly tried to lead throughout over seven furlongs at Newcastle before being grabbed in the final strides. This prolific scorer now drops back to a spring distance and is a notch lower on the class ladder, giving her every chance of toppling the equally progressive Will To Win.
Race 5: ROCK ICON (6)
Trainer: Roger Teal
Jockey: Jimmy Quinn
Having radically discovered some form with a wide margin triumph at Wolverhampton, ROCK ICON can prove that was no fluke at this higher level. The hooded selection belied his roughie tag to deliver at 16-1 and connections are understandably keen to strike again while the iron’s hot.
—
Get the Winning Form for this weekend’s Sun Met at your nearest newsagent now!
—
Ffos Las Best Bet
Race 2: PILEON (1)
Trainer: Philip Hobbs
Jockey: Tom O’Brien
PILEON landed the odds without breaking a sweat at Catterick and the 6yo goes into this with his tail up. With his confidence on a high, he will be hard to catch for a stable running into form nicely in time for Cheltenham.
Race 3: JAMMY GEORGE (2)
Trainer: Harry Whittington
Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
JAMMY GEORGE has not enjoyed the rub of the green so far this season, suffering an early fall two starts back and then being unable to claw back Court Master in a novices’ handicap chase at Newbury. His trainer has him in tip-top order for this, and granted a trouble-free round he will go close.
Race 6: JIMMYJAMES (8)
Trainer: Tim Vaughan
Jockey: Alan Johns
The key to JIMMYJAMES is the return to two miles, as the gelding only capitulated in the closing stages of his recent run at Chepstow over three furlongs further. He’s getting weight from his rivals and can put in an earning run at a decent price.
Wincanton Best Bets
Race 1: WHITEHOTCHILLIFILI (2)
Trainer: Harry Fry
Jockey: Sean Bowen
Having skipped a couple of openings since her wide-margin success here last month, WHITEHOTCHILLIFILI will be very hard to beat as she makes a substantial step up in trip under a penalty. Her tendency to jump left has been addressed at home, and she’s reported in great form.
Race 2: TEA CLIPPER (1)
Trainer: Tom Lacey
Jockey: Stan Sheppard
Although the form of his Kempton triumph last month hasn’t worked out, the unbeaten TEA CLIPPER remains a very decent prospect, having gone on to gamely deliver on his handicap hurdle debut at Huntingdon. The assessor has had his say, but the 5yo can continue in winning ways under top weight.
Race 7: BADDESLEY (1)
Trainer: Chris Gordon
Jockey: Tom Cannon
It seems BADDESLEY has been kept back waiting for better ground as he’s skipped a number of bumper engagements since the turn of the year. It wasn’t the hottest race he landed on his Fontwell introduction back in the autumn but his shrewd handler holds him in high esteem.
