Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Salisbury, Haydock Park, Southwell, Carlisle and Wolverhampton on 7 September 2023.
SALISBURY
Race 2 No4 CITY BURGLAR
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
It’s extremely rare for Aidan O’Brien to have a runner at this course, and without question Cambridge will attract a large chunk of the betting handle. He put in a pleasing first offering to place at Roscommon but might find CITY BURGLAR a tough nut to crack. The locally-trained selection was second in a better race at Newbury, and on this third career start should be fully primed to deliver.
Race 4 IRE-INCENTIVE, IT PAYS TO BUY IRISH DICK POOLE FILLIES’ STAKES (Group 3)
No8 MISS MACH ONE (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Pat Dobbs
Some good fillies adorn the roll of honour for this race that remembers a stalwart trainer, breeder and owner, and if a high draw is where you need to be Miaharris looks a likely market leader on her bid to complete a hat-trick. She is greatly respected along with Dorothy Lawrence and Soprano, but for speculative value MISS MACH ONE is worth a look. Carded as the 50-1 outsider, the Invincible Army filly ran into one on her latest start at Southwell but has bloomed in the short time since the defeat. She is not an obvious pick, but will run a lot better than her position in the betting suggests she will.
Race 7 No5 LE MANS (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Ryan Moore
The old form of Hannon and Moore need respecting with LE MANS, who on only a third career start has more scope for progression than her opponents. The Kodiac filly lost her unbeaten record by a narrow margin against Electric Storm at Kempton, but returned to turf should prove hard to beat.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 3 No3 BE HERE NOW
Trainer: Nigel Tinkler – Jockey: Tom Marquand
After a slow start the penny has started to drop for BE HERE NOW. Since running in handicaps the gelding has put in two near misses, and with Marquand an eye taking booking can open his account.
Race 6 No2 SAPPHIRE SEAS (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
There’s an element of risk backing horses from the Appleby stable but SAPPHIRE SEAS is one I’m keen to support on her return from a five-month absence. The daughter of Frankel was a wide-margin scorer when last seen on Polytrack in the spring, and with Buick in her irons looks the main protagonist of her trainer’s two runners in a fascinating contest.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No3 HOBIE (Nap)
Trainer: David Dennis – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
HOBIE looks the way to go in this novices’ hurdle as he brings good summer jumps form to the table. Winner of a maiden hurdle and third (of three) in a better race than this at Stratford, he’s been freshened up and has a solid chance to regain the winning thread.
Race 5 No5 EZ TIGER
Trainer: Alex Hales – Jockey: Bryan Carver
EZ TIGER backed up a couple of earning runs with a hard-fought course and distance triumph back in July. His upwardly mobile profile makes him the one to beat for a stable that is doing well with its summer jumpers.
CARLISLE
Race 3 No1 CAVALIER APPROACH
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Although he’s gone up in the weights CAVALIER APPROACH can further advertise how happy he is running out of Bethell’s Middleham stables. He’s 5lb higher than when scoring on debut for it at Hamilton but looked very good value for his winning margin and is one to stay with.
Race 4 No3 APIARIST (Nap)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Tom Eaves
APIARIST troubled the judge on debut at York, a track where Ryan likes to unveil his better juveniles. He was then denied in a photo at Thirsk, failing to justify heavy market support. The son of Night Of Thunder can now demonstrate with a win over Silent Move that those losses were merely lent.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 1 No4 THE SMILING WOLF (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
THE SMILING WOLF was hit with a 9lb rise after bolting up at Ffos Las, but can compete in this nursery from his old mark. He’s taken those exertions in his stride and importantly for a horse that likes to lead is drawn two off the rail, which is the perfect spot for him. Rose Dawes, who was in the plate last week, retains the ride.
Race 4 No5 WHAT’S THE STORY (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Fahey – Jockey: Cam Hardie
WHAT’S THE STORY settled in quickly when relocating to the Fahey yard on the retirement of Keith Dalgleish. He’s troubled the judge on all three starts for his new handler, and granted the rub of the green can return to winning ways.
Race 6 No8 DARK ISLAND (Each Way)
Trainer: Heather Main – Jockey: Gina Mangan
Although he keeps finding one to beat him this looks a good opportunity for DARK ISLAND to put his best foot forward. The Night Of Thunder gelding raced exclusively on sand last year but that has been reversed with each of his four starts in 2023 having happened on turf on which he seems more effective. He’s been narrowly denied on three successive outings, first when beaten into third but only by a neck in a blanket finish at Newbury, then by half a length at Windsor and most recently by a nose at Sandown. He fully detected a change of luck, and can achieve it.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)
4, 8, 10 x 10, 6 x 3, 9, 5 x 5, 8 x 1, 4 x 8, 10 x 9, 8
R144
Jackpot Perm (Races 4-7)
5, 8, 3, 4 x 1, 4, 8, 6 x 8, 10, 7 x 9, 8, 5
R288
