Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Newton Abbot, Nottingham, Ripon and Kempton Park on 5 June 2024.
NEWTON ABBOT
Race 1 No3 PENTIRE HEAD
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
PENTIRE HEAD didn’t quite live up to expectations as a hurdler, but this summer’s switch to fences can see him in a different light. The chestnut has the Make and shape for chasing and can turn a corner, whilst preserving his novice status for next season under the champion jockey.
Race 5 No8 SWIFT HAWK (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
SWIFT HAWK has his tail up following a clear-cut success at Hereford and makes plenty of sense competing from a 5lb higher mark for top connections. He can put the icing on the cake of a good day for the Nicholls/Cobden combination.
Race 6 No2 KING’S CASTLE
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Bryan Carver
The way KING’S CASTLE delivered at Warwick suggests there should be more to come from the lightly-raced seven-year-old whose form since undergoing a breathing operation last winter has spiralled in the right direction. A 3lb rise for the win was the least his connections could have expected, and he’s in a good spot to follow up.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 2 No8 SHOSTAKOVA (Each Way)
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
Sergei Prokofiev has made an exemplary start to his career as a stallion, and his daughter SHOSTAKOVA needs monitoring in the market for this fillies’ maiden. In a race where all but two of the contenders are unraced, she can endorse with a win the promise she’s shown in her work in Lambourn.
Race 4 No5 SINGLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
SINGLE has been around the block a couple of times but is of interest on this first run in 300 days. The Nathaniel mare contested two good races after finishing fourth in the corresponding contest in 2023, finishing in the money on successive visits to Newmarket. This track with its long home straight suits her style of racing, and with Probert an eye-taking booking she can show she’s ready.
RIPON
Race 5 No1 BETWEENTHESTICKS (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Rodriguez shone on Desperate Hero for Channon at Hamilton on Sunday and the jockey can serve a repeat on another West Ilsley sprinter in the shape of BETWEENTHESTICKS, who needed his first run back at Windsor and has greatly benefitted from that mainly educational effort.
Race 6 No1 GEORGIE WOOSTER
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
GEORGIE WOOSTER raised his game to post victory on his handicap debut at Redcar and goes back into bat off a 6lb higher mark. The assessor might not have been lenient, but I’ll take the chance that the Inns Of Court gelding has further improvement to come.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 2 No4 JEWEL OF LONDON (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
The best bet on this card is JEWEL OF LONDON, who not only shaped with bundles of promise when placed on her Salisbury introduction, but also has a cracking pedigree being by Lope De Vega out of a Group winning dam. She’s going to be a lot more streetwise, and if I pressing could pick up a ticket for Royal Ascot.
Race 4 No1 STORM STAR
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Two penalised runners can dominate the second division of the seven furlongs novice, with STORM STAR taken to outpoint Cat Ninja. The selection dispatched the well-regarded Jungle Land on debut at Newcastle, form boosted by a subsequent success for the latter. The chestnut is in great heart, and will enjoy a move up to 1400 metres.
Race 5 No1 LOCAL HERO (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
Though he has to concede weight away all round, LOCAL HERO can take care of business in this competitive Class4. He qualified for a mark with his run against the impressive Grey Cuban at Wolverhampton, and is now ready to show an expansion of his ability for connections who deserve a change of luck.
Race 6 No7 MISS INFORMATION
Trainer: Andrew Balding- Jockey: Oisin Murphy
The irrepressible Balding/Murphy team can deliver again with Blue Point filly MISS INFORMATION. The homebred put in a pleasing account when third to So Logical on comeback at Newmarket, and can go forward from that needed outing.
