Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Monday 9 September 2024

BRIGHTON

Race 1 No6 JAMES PARK WOODS
Trainer: Dominic Ffrench Davis – Jockey: Taryn Langley

JAMES PARK WOODS can post a deserved success and his first in 33 starts for his trainer. The eight-year-old operates as a dual-purpose horse these days, but has troubled the judge in all four of his outings on the Flat in a select 2024 campaign. He’s completely exposed but this is a scenario in which he can benefit.

Race 2 No7 JIFF’S ARMY (Nap)
Trainer: Stuart Williams – Jockey: Rossa Ryan

JIFF’S ARMY can take advantage of a good draw in this race run round a left-handed bend into the straight. Under Ryan he made notable progression to chase home Square D’alboni at Epsom, showing in the process that he has the balance and brawn to handle a switchback course. It’s the best form on offer, and he can parry the challenge of Kildonan.

NEWTON ABBOT

Race 5 No3 CALL BLUE (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

CALL BLUE was having her first outing in ten months when chasing home Mary at Stratford and has benefitted considerably from that experience. The seven-year-old faces mainly out-of-form rivals in this mares’ handicap hurdle in which she can go one better as the only bet on the card.

PERTH

Race 1 No2 LUCKIE SEVEN (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Danny McMenamin

Several hold chances in an interesting novices’ hurdle but LUCKIE SEVEN can prove the best value. The six-year-old made a winning switch to hurdles over course and distance in early July to endorse the promise he showed with a win and two seconds in bumpers. A 7lb penalty won’t make it easy for him, but bringing course form to the table is an advantage.

Race 3 No8 MALANGEN (Each Way)
Trainer: Miss L Harrison – Jockey: Peter Kavanagh

MALANGEN is the old man of the party but can show there’s still a tune to be played from him as he takes on a couple of unexposed rivals in Ravenscraig Castle and Leading Lion. The selection is a four times course winner here, and aside from his last success a year ago has been placed on each of his five subsequent visits.

Race 5 No5 SOLWAY MOLLY (Each Way)
Trainer: Miss L Harrison – Jockey: Peter Kavanagh

Harrison and Kavanagh should also benefit from SOLWAY MOLLY in this two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle. The Trans Island mare proved easy to back when second at Cartmel in June, and though coming off a 10-week break is ready to do herself justice.

Race 7 No1 IRON HEART
Trainer: Peter Bowen – Jockey: Sean Bowen

IRON HEART can prove the pick of the Bowen runners at the meeting and successfully give away weight all round. The seven-year-old scored over hurdles at Worcester before taking away a cheque on the Flat at Nottingham last month. He’s a versatile performer and should take all the beating.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 1 No5 KEEP SINGING (Each Way)
Trainer: Stan Moore – Jockey: Kieran O’Neill

KEEP SINGING can provide owners Spirited Racing with its first winner in a nursery that is more open than it looks at first sight. Recent scorers Greek Gift and Claim To Glory have obvious claims, but have to respectively give 21lbs and 19lbs to my selection who is herself 2lb ‘wrong’ at the weights. However, the Kameko filly might have been unlucky when missing the break and using up plenty of fuel to get to the front at Chepstow in an earning run that is encouraging for her chances.

Race 3 No1 BOWMAN (Nap)
Trainer: David Brooke – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt

BOWMAN has done well since undergoing a breathing operation, winning or being placed in all but one of six outings. His chances will improve if he can break cleanly and get to the front in this sprint around two turns.

Race 4 No4 DAWN OF LIBERATION (Each Way)
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Luke Morris

Carr has a good record at sweetening up horses from other stables, but though still to win with DAWN OF LIBERATION that can change as he should enjoy returning to the Dunstall Park circuit at which he finished second in a Class4 on his latest visit in the spring.