Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Bath, Stratford, Newcastle, Chelmsford City, and Southwell on 31 October 2024.
BATH
Race 3 No2 HAPPY TEARS
Trainer: Daniel Kubler – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
HAPPY TEARS cut the mustard when scoring on only her second start for the Kubler stable at Chelmsford. But she has equally good form on grass, and can go back-to-back in a race in which most of her opponents are cold.
Race 5 No4 BOWNDER (Nap)
Trainer: Jonny Portman – Jockey: Olivia Tubb
Any money for MISTER KNOCKOUT would interest me, but the claims of BOWNDER suggest he can add to his laurels. The gelding has gone 31221 since returning from a break, and was a decisive scorer at Southwell last time.
Race 7 No6 SONNET STAR
Trainer: Stuart Kittow – Jockey: David Probert
SONNET STAR gained a deserving first success at this course at the start of the month and now has her tail up. Over the same trip, she has every chance of following up although one to monitor for late support is MYCOLOURSORYOURS.
STRATFORD
Race 1 No11 WEDNESDAY ADDAMS
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Jack Quinlan
WEDNESDAY ADDAMS has earned in three of her four career starts and was highly tried on the only occasion she underwhelmed. The Telescope mare is ready to step up to the plate and build on her near miss hurdling debut at Perth.
Race 2 No7 BEAU QUALI (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
The best bet on the card is BEAU QUALI who brings very strong form to the table. He ran well on debut n a Lyon hurdle race and went down by a narrow margin on debut under Rules at Chepstow n his first run for the Skeltons. If he can build on that he should prove very hard to beat.
Race 7 No1 CRYSTABEL
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Joshua Bryan
Crystal Ocean mare CRYSTABEL has public form to bring to the table against a bunch of unraced opponents. She didn’t do much wrong when beaten in a photo on debut under Rules at Huntingdon, and if building on that should open her account.
NEWCASTLE
Race 7 No1 CITY OF DIAMONDS
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
For the only bet it’s a long wait for CITY OF DIAMONDS in the nightcap. The four-year-old easily landed the spoils,on his only point in Ireland and can bring plenty to the table on this first outing under Rules.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 9 No8 IMITATE
Trainer: Harry Davies – Jockey: Sir Michael Stoute
While soon to retire Stoute won’t be at Dunstall Park for what is surely his final runner at Dunstall Park, IMITATE has the wherewithal to deliver in the colours of Cheveley Park Stud.
SOUTHWELL
Race 4 No3 SPETSES
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
SPETSES as heavily supported and wasn’t able to make an impact on debut at Newcastle but has learned plenty from that first offering. The Get Stormy colt is ready for his next assignment, and expected to deliver the goods in a race that’s cut up in his favour.
Race 6 No5 BERKSHIRE SUNDANCE (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jason Watson
BERKSHIRE SUNDANCE opened his account on his final 2023 start at Kempton and came good on a belated second run back this year at Salisbury. Returned to an all-weather surface the chestnut is fresh and fancied to follow-up.
Race 9 No1 MIDNIGHT DRIVE
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: John Fahy
This is a deep card for punting and at the end of play MIDNIGHT DRIVE may prove a value option. The Ten Sovereigns filly rarely fails to trouble the judge, a scenario that again confronts her in this bottom level handicap.
