Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Newcastle, Ludlow, Taunton and Chelmsford City on 2 March 2023.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No7 SECRETARY (Nap)
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Frederick Larson
Following her 66-1 shock triumph at Chelmsford SECRETARY can carry on the good work on debut for champion all weather trainer Appleby. The Zoustar filly found a new gear to open her account, and if finding further progression should follow-up.
Race 4 No6 OBSIDIAN KNIGHT
Trainer: Terry Kent – Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
OBSIDIAN KNIGHT looked like a horse that means business when opening his account for the year at Lingfield. He looked good value for his margin of victory and to be suited by dropping back to this trip of a mile and a quarter. He faces a doughty opponent in Zealot but should be up to the task in hand getting almost a stone from that foe.
LUDLOW
Race 3 No6 LILY GLITTERS
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Miss Alice Stevens
Locally trained LILY GLITTERS has delivered on two of her last three starts, including over this course and distance back in late November. The stable gave us a nice winner on Tuesday, and should rain arrive in this part of Shropshire it shouldn’t bother the daughter of Shirocco.
Race 5 No6 KESTREL VALLEY
Trainer: Kerry Lee – Jockey: Richard Patrick
KESTREL VALLEY can show that a change of scenery has had a good effect by scoring on debut for her trainer. The nine-year-old has failed to menace in three outings this season, often racing prominently before fading. Forcing tactics are in fact the way to get the best out of her, and it would come as no surprise to see her given an enterprising ride.
Race 6 No1 WELSH CHARGER (Nap)
Trainer: Alistair Ralph – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
WELSH CHARGER impressed when positing a first win under Rules over the course and distance last month when he attracted plenty of support. Under a penalty he appears to face a similar task, as aside from newcomer Overstate nothing stands out as a potent threat.
TAUNTON
Race 2 No5 MATTERHORN (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
My best news concerns MATTERHORN, whose poor showing on debut for the champion trainer at Sandown needs ignoring. The former French-trained gelding has greatly benefitted from a wind operation and is very well regarded at Ditcheat. The losses sustained in November can be shown to be merely lent.
Race 6 No5 ANNIE K
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
Irish point winner ANNIE K changed hands for a big six-figure sun and after working well ahead of this debut under Rules looks like another for the Nicholls/Cobden combo, though Act Of Authority will make sure the selection doesn’t have things all her own way.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 2 No1 DOUBLE TIME
Trainer: Sir Mark Todd – Jockey: George Rooke
DOUBLE TIME proved a fine servant to his connections with a flurry of earning runs including two conversions last year. He improved for a switch to an all-weather surface and has been operated on for a breathing problem since his last outing. Having operated well when fresh off a break in the past, he can make light of his big weight and make a winning return.
Race 4 No2 HELLO ZABEEL (Nap)
Trainer: CharlieFellowes – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
HELLO ZABEEL went up 3lb for a cosy triumph at Lingfield and has to be taken seriously on this attempt to complete a hat-trick. If turning up in the same kind of form he will be hard to beat.
Race 7 No1 AL ALAALI
Trainer: Simon Crisford – Jockey: Harry Burns
AL ALAALI should find the necessary progression to post a first career win assisted by a first time visor. The Showcasing colt has earned on both starts this year at Wolverhampton and can come out on top in a race that with only four runners is sure to become tactical.
