Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Sandown Park, Hereford, Wolverhampton, Ayr and Chelmsford City on 9 March 2024.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 2 No5 PIC ROC (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
PIC ROC looked very smart when opening his account over jumps at Ascot and taking the scalps of a couple of well-regarded foes. He’s benefitted mentally from that eye-taking success, and given the rub of the green can prevail in this wickedly hot race. However, a saver is recommended on HIGH TREASON, who has also thrived since a recent win and can also get into the argument.
Race 3 BETFAIR IMPERIAL CUP HANDICAP HURDLE
No10 BAD (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
BAD travelled and jumped like a dream at Ascot, only to be worried out of it in the final strides by Mothill. He retains the cheek pieces that were fitted for the first time, and can prove better value than his stablemate JIPCOT, who figures to head the market on the back of a smooth triumph at Huntingdon. KNICKERBOCKERGLORY should also be suited by the way the race is run and the track, while at longer odds BASHERS REFLECTION needs respecting, and can also earn as long as he concentrates when the chips are down.
Prediction: 1st BAD, 2nd Jipcot, 3rd Bashers Reflection, 4th Knickerbockerglory
Race 6 No11 TRINCOMALEE
Trainer: Lucy Wadham – Jockey: Harry Cobden
Since returning from the sidelines TRINCOMALEE has progressed nicely and there was much to like about the way he kept on against Bretney at Sandown. That was only his second run back over fences, and there should be more to come.
Race 7 No5 IMPERIAL BEDE
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
IMPERIAL BEDE might have been defending an unbeaten record over fences but for falling at Kelso, having scored impressively on a first run over fences at Southwell. In the colours of JP McManus he has a great chance to bounce back, while his stable is a very good form.
HEREFORD
Race 1 No7 INOUI MACHIN
Trainer: Neil Mulholland – Jockey: James Bowen
Although a tad disappointing on his first handicap venture last time, INOUI MACHIN has the wherewithal to bounce back. The dual bumper scorer is dropping a rung on the class ladder, and after a sequence of earning efforts deserves to get his head in front.
Race 5 No2 HERMES LE GRIS
Trainer: Robbie Llewellyn – Jockey: Liam Harrison
HERMES LE GRIS failed to justify market support at Fakenham, but now enjoys a cut back on the distance ladder in a race that might not take much winning. The grey had earlier landed some good bets at Huntingdon, and is fancied to bounce back.
Race 7 No9 PORTOBELLO GIRL (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Finn Lambert
Having troubled the judge on her Wincanton introduction, PORTOBELLO GIRL can consolidate against a field containing several with similar profiles including Jena D’Oudairies, who ran green on her Ludlow debut and should give the selection something to think about.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 1 No5 SHOULDVEBEENARING (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
The featured Lady Wulfruna Stakes can fall to SHOULDVEBEENARING, who has been in great form at home in the lead up to this seasonal introduction. The grey’s third in the Group 1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp is outstanding form to take into the Listed contest, and he should make no mistake.
Race 5 No8 FERROUS (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
FERROUS experienced training issues last summer and now returns from a near seven-month absence. A Class 4 winner at Goodwood in May, the iron grey resumes over his optimum trip of 1200 metres and is sufficiently forward to get into the shake-up.
AYR
Race 1 No1 CONISTON GEORGE (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
Sea God is an interesting runner from Ireland but may lose his unbeaten record to CONISTON GEORGE. The Nap is a winner of two of his three starts over hurdles whose style of racing suggests he’ll be admirably suited by this step up the distance ladder.
Race 2 No3 LADY IN THE PARK
Trainer: Lucinda Russell – Jockey: Derek Fox
LADY IN THE PARK went down in a blanket finish over a slightly longer trip here last time. She’s out to bounce back from a 2lb higher mark, and can do so at the main expense of Not Staying Long.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 2 No6 SEA ICE (Nap)
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
SEA ICE ran into a well-supported winner in Kitteridge at Newcastle, showing an appreciation for a step up to this trip of a mile and a quarter. The Too Darn Hot filly can go one better at the expense of 1.8 million guinea purchase Venetian Style.
Race 7 No3 ISLAND NATIVE
Trainer: Mick Appleby – Jockey: Alistair Rawlinson
ISLAND NATIVE was a dominating scorer at Lingfield a fortnight ago, looking good value for his margin of victory. He steps back into the fray shouldering a 6lb rise, but should make it a third success of the campaign.
