Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s British racing coming your way from Lingfield Park, Stratford, Worcester and Chelmsford City on 27/10/2022.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 2 No5 BERKSHIRE CRUZ
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Jason Watson
Exceed And Excel colt BERKSHIRE CRUZ wasn’t beaten far when third to Beach Buoy on his Kempton introduction and has greatly benefited from the run. He has a much better draw than those closest to him in the market, which can assist him in obtaining a perfect stalking position off which to pounce in the straight.
Race 4 No6 SEA OF CHARM (Each Way)
Trainer: Harry Dunlop – Jockey: Rob Hornby
SEA OF CHARM can provide Harry Dunlop with a final big race success before his retirement from training in this distaffers’ Listed contest. The daughter of Charm Spirit would be a most deserving winner, granted her propensity to finish in the frame in high-grade handicaps. She can now pick up some useful black type as a massively priced outsider.
Race 5 No11 CRYSTAL CAPRICE (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
CRYSTAL CAPRICE can prove a bet worth waiting for and is strongly fancied to regain the winning thread after having her successful sequence halted on a first run at this level at Newmarket. The daughter of Frankel had posted a fine hat-trick before that triumph, and her length and a half proximity to Zanbaq after challenging on the wrong side of the track was a very solid effort, and there to be consolidated on.
Race 7 No5 WATERLOO SUNSET (Each Way)
Trainer: Denis Coakley – Jockey: George Bass
Whenever I gaze on WATERLOO SUNSET at exercise I feel there’s a race to be won with the Adaay gelding before the end of the season. A course winner here, he’s had his issues over the last couple of seasons, but following a readying run in a more competitive race than this at Newbury is ready to raise his game.
STRATFORD
Race 3 No2 SHELDON (Nap)
Trainer: Seamus Mullins – Jockey: Daniel Samson
SHELDON attracted a welter of support on his seasonal return following a wind operation, only to finish third to Guernesey in that handicap hurdle at Warwick. The chestnut has schooled well over fences, and can open his account at the first time of asking at the main expense of Heltenham.
Race 5 No2 HIGHER GROUND
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
HIGHER GROUND took away a cheque on his only run over jumps in a Worcester race that has worked out. Wearing a hood and easy to back, he finished some way off the winner Spanish Present, but has learned a lot from the experience judging from how he’s been working at Guiting Power.
Race 6 No8 CLEAR ON TOP
Trainer: Tom George – Jockey: James Bowen
CLEAR ON TOP posted a couple of near misses in the summer only to unseat his pilot on his first proper outing of the season at this course earlier in the month. None the worse for that spill, and receiving weight from most of his foes, he can bounce back to post a first success over fences.
WORCESTER
Race 2 No11 GALTEE MOUNTAIN
Trainer: Pat Murphy – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
GALTEE MOUNTAIN proved to be an owners’ dream by earning in each of his eight starts over fences, rounded-off by a fine hat-trick at Fontwell. While he normally needs a run to put him straight, he’s still operating on a potentially dangerous mark, and should be afforded the benefit of the doubt on the fitness question.
Race 4 No9 THRUTHELOOKINGLASS (Nap)
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey Ciaran Gethings
From a stable with a novice hurdle winner this week, THRUTHELOOKINGLASS should post an earning run on his return from a ten-month absence. The Kayf Tara gelding showed promise to chase home Dancing With Deco on his only start over jumps at Exeter, and if making normal progress can open his account.
Race 5 No11 IDALKO BIHOUE
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Irish point winner IDALKO BIHOUE is among a batch of new ammo at Grange Farm Stables, and one that could make his mark over hurdles. The four-year-old has had plenty of time to settle in with his new handler, and can make an immediate impact on the way to better things.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 3 No1 BIRD FOR LIFE (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: Tyler Heard
BIRD FOR LIFE did us a favour when posting a win at 9-1 at Wolverhampton. It ended a long wait for the eight-year-old mare, but her trainer looks to have found a good opportunity for her to follow-up.
Race 5 No11 OWER STARLIGHT (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
From his rail draw there is every chance OWER STARLIGHT will put in another big earning run. The Cityscape colt has gone 323 in his last three outings including a near miss over the course and distance. Adding to his appeal is the fact that most of his opponents are out of form.
