Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing at Salisbury, Lingfield, Haydock and Chelmsford.
Salisbury Best Bet
Race 2: MAMBO NIGHTS (5)
Trainer: Richard Hannon
Jockey: Sean Levey
All three in this Novice Stakes with previous racecourse experience have run well, but MAMBO NIGHTS looks the pick of them. With three outings to his name, he’s now ready to step up to the plate, having done everything right before getting chinned by Quadrilateral at Newbury. He should also appreciate this step up to a mile.
Race 4: SUMMER ROMANCE (11)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: William Buick
The Dick Poole Stakes is one of the best races run here and the big question about today’s renewal is if SUMMER ROMANCE can put her disappointing effort in Ascot’s Princess Margaret Stakes behind her. On both previous starts, she won doing handstands and if taking this Group 3 in style she can re-establish herself as a 1,000 Guineas prospect. She’s worked in great style in Newmarket and looks back to her best in her home form.
Race 6: ROTHERWICK (2)
Trainer: Paul Cole
Jockey: David Probert
Taking a step back on the class ladder, this looks a good opportunity for ROTHERWICK to post a deserved and overdue success. He’s been around the block and doesn’t get much respite from the assessor, but he’s running consistency well. After a couple of cracking efforts at Goodwood, this looks his day.
Lingfield Best Bets
Race 5: OCTOBER STORM (1)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: David Egan
While it would be wrong to suggest OCTOBER STORM is well handicapped, the top weight steps into weaker company than has been the case in his six outings so far this season, giving him a gilt-edged opportunity to finally deliver. His Achilles heel is a tendency to hit a flat spot in his races, but if his capable pilot can get him organised he has the ability to wipe the floor with these.
Race 7: HIGH COMMISSIONER (4)
Trainer: Paul Cole
Jockey: Sean Levey
It’s taking HIGH COMMISSIONER plenty of time to live up to his early potential but this is arguably the most straightforward assignment he’s faced in a while. The only runner of the seven with an official rating, he will enjoy a return to quicker underfoot conditions.
Haydock Best Bets
Race 3: PANIC ROOM (4)
Trainer: Tom Dascombe
Jockey: PJ McDonald
furlongs to a mile, everything’s set for a big run from PANIC ROOM who after
being taken off his legs stayed on purposefully at the end of a Carlisle maiden,
chasing home the useful Lampang. It should have teed the colt up perfectly for
this.
Race 6: DRAGONS VOICE (6)
Trainer: David Menuisier
Jockey: Jamie Spencer
The losses suffered on DRAGONS VOICE when he failed to see out the mile and three-quarter trip at Musselburgh can be seen to be merely lent as the horse drops back to a mile and a half on easy underfoot conditions that will suit. He finds himself in quite a competitive heat but can bounce back at rewarding odds.
Chelmsford Best Bets
Race 1: RIVER CAM (5)
Trainer: James Tate
Jockey: Callum Shepherd
After two near misses, RIVER CAM gets a gilt-edged opportunity to put a first win on the board and get punters off to a flying start. The selection has the bases covered after showing an aptitude for an all-weather surface when finding only Huraiz too strong at Newcastle.
Race 5: JUNOOH (4)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
Jockey: Dane O’Neill
Having started a 20-1 roughie on his debut at Newmarket’s Craven meeting, JUNOOH put in some good late work in the race won by Uae Jewel. He’s been in hiding since and that’s a concern, but following some encouraging work last weekend he should be more than ready to take down Battle Of Paradise in what looks a strictly two-horse race.
