Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Ayr, Yarmouth, Chelmsford City and Pontefract on 21 September 2023.
YARMOUTH
Race 2 No5 MIDDLESEX (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
MIDDLESEX was easy to back yet shaped with considerable promise to finish third on her first outing at Wolverhampton. Like market rival Francesco Barack, she switches to grass and has worked well on it at home. She can capitalise on her 5lb sex allowance to get off the mark.
Race 7 No3 SEATTLE TIME (Each Way)
Trainer: Sylvester Kirk – Jockey: Liam Keniry
As the least experienced in the field for this bottom grade handicap, SEATTLE TIME could have more to offer. He qualified for a mark with a frame finish at Chepstow, and even though that wasn’t an especially strong race he’s entitled to step up on this return to seven furlongs.
AYR
Race 1 No8 VOLTERRA (Nap)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Tom Eaves
Individualism is a well related colt but he squandered a good chance on his latest start and I fancy VOLTERRA to prove his match. The selection didn’t know what was required of him yet still got into the shake up on his York introduction. Very easy to back, he was beaten less than two lengths by the useful winner Battle Cry, and if making normal progression from that effort should prove hard to beat.
Race 8 No7 HIGHFIELD VIKING
Trainer: John Quinn – Jockey: Jason Hart
HIGHFIELD VIKING has a good chance to make this a first triumph since his reappearance at Doncaster. He’s proved a regular earner for connections and should any of the forecast rain arrive it will greatly enhance his claims in a race that’s there for the taking.
PONTEFRACT
Race 2 No3 BONDY
Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: Harry Russell
BONDY can play the experience card to good effect in this novice run round a left handed bend. Seven of his opponents have yet to see a racecourse, while he put in a pleasing first run to trouble the judge at York. That’s good form to bring to the table by this son of Kingman, whose middle draw means his pilot can choose which part of the track to utilise.
Race 4 No5 HELLO QUEEN (Each Way)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Shane Gray
This Class2 is a tightly knit affair in which HELLO QUEEN bids to notch a fourth success on just her fifth outing in 2023. The daughter of Acclamation handled the cut in the ground when delivering on her first outing on turf at Doncaster, on her return from a more than three months absence. She’s jumping two runs up the class ladder, but should have more to give.
Race 6 No4 MARCHING BAND (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
MARCHING BAND engages in a shoot out with an equally promising stablemate in Hosanna Power, and I fancy him to come out on top in the colours of The King. The Ribchester gelding made Dire La Verita pull out all the stops at Chelmsford and should enjoy this move onto grass on a stiff track. Hosanna Power ran well on his Doncaster introduction, but after a year off his fitness has to be taken on trust.
Race 7 No13 MOUNT KING (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
Former Irish-based MOUNT KING put the race to bed with a nice change of gear that had his Thirsk rivals in trouble, leaving just enough in the tank to hold on. He’s taking a move into a better class contest but if the success has boosted his confidence he can prove a value double figure price investment.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 2 No9 JUST RITA (Nap)
Trainer: Marco Botti – Jockey: Neil Callan
Callan’s riding has been one of the features of the week and he looks to have another big winning chance aboard JUST RITA. The Bated Breath filly did not go unsupported when taking away a minor cheque on her Lingfield debut and like the majority of juveniles from the Botti stable will have learned plenty from it.
Race 4 No1 EHRAZ (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Jim Crowley
EHRAZ is one of those horses who falls just short of Group class and now finds himself carrying top weight in a top level handicap. He’s run well to a point in each of his four starts this year, and from a good draw can make it a winning first run on an artificial surface. He gave it his all only to be nabbed by Summerghand at York, and deserves a change of luck. Aljari, Zero Carbon and War In Heaven will also go into my trifecta and quartet perms For this fascinating contest.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)
5, 3 x 9, 1 x 1, 8, 3 x 1, 12, 13 x 4 x 7, 8, 1 x 2, 5
R216
