Neil Morrice gives us his tips for Thursday’s British race meetings at Newmarket, Perth, Pontefract, Chelmsford City and Southwell on 22/09/2022.
Check out Neil's video preview for Thursday's racing at Newmarket:
NEWMARKET
Race 4 Tattersalls Stakes (Group 3)
No3 NOSTRUM (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
If there’s a Classic prospect amongst the juvenile colts at Freemason Lodge then NOSTRUM is it. The son of Kingman has always looked out of the upper echelon and showed that when powering up the final hill to come home unchallenged on his debut in a warm maiden at Sandown. He faces strong competition from both Victory Dance and Holloway Boy, but can show by remaining unbeaten that he’s a Guineas horse in the making.
Race 5 No3 RANCH HAND
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: William Carver
RANCH HAND makes a belated return to the fray in search of some decent staying prizes through the autumn and back end, and can kick off with victory in this Rose Bowl Stakes. The ground should be acceptable for the Dunaden gelding, who ran well in Group races before going onto the sidelines in the middle of the 2021 season.
Race 7 No1 SUNRISE VALLEY
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
SUNRISE VALLEY troubled the judge in each of her races this season in Class3s at Nottingham and Salisbury back in the spring. She was then held up with a minor issue, but has to be taken seriously dropped down a rung of the handicap band. The daughter of Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Karakontie has been working well, and can outpoint the Godolphin challenger Yantarni and Red Kite.
Race 8 No3 POSTWICK
Trainer: Harry Eustace – Jockey: Pierre-Louis Jamin
POSTWICK put a blip at Brighton firmly behind him with a resounding success at Newbury where the flat track was much more to his liking. This lightly-raced individual is open to further improvement and can have the whip hand over bottom-weight Super Chief.
PERTH
Race 1 No9 THE KNIPHAND
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: San Twiston-Davies
THE KNIPHAND grazed the crossbar on both starts under Rules last year and should not be long in opening his account, as he worked with plenty of enthusiasm before this journey to Scotland as part of a big raiding party from his Gloucestershire stable.
Race 2 No1 GOWEL ROAD (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Whatever GOWEL ROAD achieved over hurdles we can expect better of him as a chaser. He landed a valuable handicap hurdle at Cheltenham’s Paddy Power Gold Cup fixture and was only just out of the money in the Coral Cup at the Festival in March. He’s been well prepared for this new role.
PONTEFRACT
Race 2 No8 KITAI
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
After two near-misses, No Nay Never filly KITAI is perfectly drawn to attack in this race round a left-handed bend. She was only narrowly denied in successive visits to Haydock, and one of the horses that beat her, Cathryn, has boosted the form with a prominent run in a Group 2.
Race 3 No3 EAGLE’S WAY (Nap)
Trainer: Sir a mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
If Prescott has a horse in line for at least one major handicap triumph this autumn then it is probably EAGLE’S WAY. The chestnut keeps winning by wide margins, and easily made the jump from Class5 and Class3 at Nottingham. He’s enjoyed a short break but should come back to make it four on the bounce and remain unbeaten this season.
Race 4 No4 LERWICK
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Kevin Stott
Awtaad colt LERWICK shaped with considerable promise on his debut at Ripon when chasing home the more experienced Rievaulx River. Carrying the oldest silks in existence in Britain, those of the Marquess Of Zetland, he can graduate into the winners’ circle on the way to better things.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 1 No5 PHOENIX GLOW (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
PHOENIX GLOW stayed on under a sympathetic ride to finish just out of the money on her second start at Yarmouth. While qualifying for a handicap mark today, the Bungle Inthejungle filly is capable of putting in an earning run should any of those in front of her at the head of the market fail to show up.
Race 6 No2 BIRD FOR LIFE (Each Way)
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: Isobel Francis
BIRD FOR LIFE could be the pick of the value as she takes on a couple of impressive recent scorers in City Vaults and Captain Howse. The eight-year-old is giving out the signs that normally address her return to winning form, and she can make it a first win of the season in a first visit to this track in almost two years.
SOUTHWELL
Race 7 No5 CHICAGO GAL (Each Way)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Saffie Osborne
CHICAGO GAL put in a career-best when second on this Tapeta surface at Wolverhampton at the end of August. She looked to appreciate a big step in trip that day, and if consolidating should have a similar or even better role to play again.
