Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, Haydock Park, Nottingham, Pontefract, Hamilton Park and Newmarket on 21 July 2023
NEWBURY
Race 2 No6 KING OF LUCK (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Jim Crowley
As Stoute prepares to guide Desert Crown back into action in next week’s King George he will have his glasses focussed on KING OF LUCK who makes his debut in the same colours. The son of New Bay has put in some very pleasing workouts and although sure to benefit in terms of experience is a colt that could well be going places.
Race 5 No9 FLASH BARDOT (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rose Dawes
Race 7 No10 OUTGUN (Each Way)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Charles Bishop
OUTGUN looked to be travelling well within himself when his Wolverhampton race last week was voided following an injury to one of the jockeys. Switched to turf on this quick reappearance, he’s one to take seriously, especially in view of how well he ran on his handicap bow at this course.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 2 No1 BINT HAVANA GREY (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hughes – Jockey: Pat Cosgrave
Welsh Harbour is one to monitor for market support on debut, but better equipped to take out this novice is BINT HAVANA GREY, who shaped promisingly to pick up a minor cheque on her own introduction and can plan the experience card to good effect.
Race 3 No6 DANZART
Trainer: Stella Barclay – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
DANZART has proved a revelation for his connections with placed efforts bookending a fine hat-trick. The Dandy Man gelding has thrived for a change of stables, and should put in another big earning run.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 1 No8 NEVER SO BRAVE (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Harry Davies
A drop back to a sprint distance shouldn’t inconvenience NEVER SO BRAVE whose debut second at Newmarket is the best form on offer. Stoute’s juveniles tend to progress with the benefit of an outing under their belts, and that statistic can ring true here.
Race 3 No6 OBAMA ARMY
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
OBAMA ARMY has been a captain of industry for his lucky connections and is yet to disappoint in nine 2023 outings. He was unlucky not to win on his only previous visit here in the spring, and responded well to a change of headgear when second at Epsom a week ago. Bass is the only jockey to have won on the gelded son of Washington DC, and is back in the hot seat.
PONTEFRACT
Race 6 No14 ROUND THE ISLAND (Each Way)
Trainer: Simon Whitaker – Jockey: Duran Fentiman
Part of the furniture here, seven-times course winner ROUND THE ISLAND troubled the judge at Catterick and looks on the cusp of a return to form. The veteran receives weight from everything in the field, and can earn again as the only advice on a tough card for betting.
HAMILTON PARK
Race 4 No2 CIRCLE OF FIRE (Nap)
Trainer, Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
CIRCLE OF FIRE finished one place behind Chesspiece in the Queen’s Vase but I fancy him to turn the tables in this Listed feature. The Nap’s trump card might be if he’s allowed to dominate, as he is a strong galloper who lacks a turn of foot. The best way to ride him is if Kingscote turns the screw early and burns off his challengers.
NEWMARKET
Race 1 No9 WILD GODDESS (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
Camelot filly WILD GODDESS took a tall home reputation to post when making her introduction at Haydock where she started favourite but appeared clueless in the early stages of the contest. It wasn’t until the birds had flown for the penny to drop, and when it did she flew at the finish. She is strongly fancied to turn the tables on third home Summit.
Race 5 No10 PEONY ( Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Tom Marquand
Respect in this hot fillies’ handicap is paid to Star Guest but one that can provide better value is PEONY. The Churchill filly has displayed an aptitude for both grass and sand in her recent successes, and from a 4lb higher mark could still be in the winning part of the spectrum.
