Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing at Chelmsford, Kempton Park and Stratford.
Chelmsford Best Bet
Race 2: SHADY McCOY (2)
Trainer: Ian Williams
Jockey: Ben Curtis
A prolific scorer in handicaps two years ago, SHADY McCOY is in the evening of his career but has retained sufficient ability to take this claimer. He’s stepping down the ladder after contesting a Kempton Class 2 on his latest start, and wasn’t disgraced in that by any means. As a closer he needs the cards to fall right, but there’s every chance they will on this course with its wide expanses in the home straight.
Race 4: SKERRYVORE (6)
Trainer: James Fanshawe
Jockey: Hollie Doyle
After a series of near misses SKERRYVORE deservedly hit the target over this mile and a quarter at Newcastle. The win seems to have boosted his confidence levels as he’s worked well during a near two month absence since then. His trainer is a dab hand with an improving 3yo at this time of the season.
Race 8: GIVEPEACEACHANCE (10)
Trainer: Denis Coakley
Jockey: Ben Curtis
The key to the chance of GIVEPEACEACHANCE is her trainer’s decision to cut back on the distance ladder. Over an extended two miles at Wolverhampton the selection led until approaching the final furlong when her stamina ran out. Now she’s back to a mile and threequarters, over which a similar effort can see her get off the mark.
Kempton Park Best Bets
Race 6: SURREY BLAZE (3)
Trainer: Joe Tuite
Jockey: Rob Hornby
While the draw has done him no favours, SURREY BLAZE can benefit from a huge cut back on the distance ladder. He was given every chance to get the mile and a half trip at Goodwood last time only to weaken in the final quarter mile, but now he’s tackling seven furlongs which makes him difficult to weigh up. He’s definitely one to monitor for a market move.
Stratford Best Bet
Race 2: BLACK OP (1)
Trainer: Tom George
Jockey: Jonathan Burke
With the benefit of a breathing operation during the summer, BLACK OP can lay down the gauntlet for a successful revisit to fences in this intriguing contest. The 8yo didn’t jump with fluency in his two races over fences last season and wasn’t quite his best when returned to the top long distance hurdles. He’s up against the very smart Lisnagar Oscar as well as an interesting rival in Mr Antolini but should be up to the task in hand.
Race 3: SKEAPING (1)
Trainer: Phil Middleton
Jockey: Cillin Leonard
SKEAPING can confirm his Fakenham superiority over Ballyellis. The former Irish trainer 6yo short-headed his rival before following up at this track just 24 hours later. Although 4lb worse off with his rival and negotiating a longer trip he seemed to have a bit more in hand than the narrow margin indicates two runs back and was a convincing scorer in his latest race.
