Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from AYR, Bath, Market Rasen and Southwell.
AYR
Race 2 No5 MUVE ON (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
Like his sire MUVE ON is a flashy individual but he made a big step forward on second start at Beverley when despite running green he stayed on to finish best of all and grab a minor cheque. With that experience under his belt and over a longer trip he can show that testing conditions hold no perils for him.
Race 5 No7 ASHEN
Trainer: Jim Goldie – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
ASHEN posted his only career win here and has earned in each of his other three visits to his local course. It was in similarly testing conditions that he troubled the judge here at the end of last month, which should have primed him for a return to winning ways.
BATH
Race 4 No5 MISS DOLLY ROCKER (Each Way)
Trainer: Faye Bramley – Jockey: Jason Watson
In the best race of the day it could be worth taking a chance on MISS DOLLY ROCKER to better her fifth placing in the corresponding race 12 months ago. Since moving to her third trainer the Frontiersman mare has endured issues and run only twice, although her record here stands up to close inspection. She wouldn’t mind any easing in the ground as she seeks a third course success.
Race 6 No3 PRODIGAL SON (Nap)
Trainer: Heather Main – Jockey: Luke Morris
Three recent winners clash in this good betting race but I fancy PRODIGAL SON to come out of top. He’s been returned at 22-1 for each of his 2026 triumphs, firstly here in the spring and then on his latest outing at Newmarket. That was however a career best from the grey, who benefitted from being ridden up with the pace. Hopefully similar tactics will be employed.
Race 7 No7 BOY GEORGE (Each Way)
Trainer: Dominin Ffrench Davis – Jockey: Jason Watson
Increasing age hasn’t dented the ability of BOY GEORGE who last season put together an unbeaten sequence of three wins from as many starts. The now nine-year-old returned as a 40-1 no hoper at Goodwood where his bid to lead from gate to wire ended when he got tired at the quarter pole. That run did him the power of good, is there to be built on and gives him a chance to do well in this open affair.
MARKET RASEN
Race 2 No3 PORT GLEN ONE (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
As the winner of his only start in an Irish point, PORT GLEN ONE brings brimming potential with him for a first outing under Rules. His stable have been amongst the winners, and a market check is strongly advised on this Blue Bresil gelding who races in the colours of his trainer.
Race 4 No1 SHABALKO D’HERM
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
The same trainer and jockey combination can strike with SHABALKO D’HERM whose ability to go well fresh manifested itself with two hurdling successes at this time last season. He didn’t jump well enough when last seen at Ffos Las, but his schooling over fences has been encouraging ahead of this switch to chasing where he’s pitched straight into a handicap.
SOUTHWELL
Race 4 No4 THUNDA STRUCK (Each Way)
Trainer: David Loughnane – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
At a working man’s price THUNDA STRUCK catches the eye in an open affair. He’s improved for a switch to handicaps with earning efforts at Chepstow and Bath but his the strong handling needed to get the job done today.
Race 6 No4 LIKENESS
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
In the colours of Highclere Thoroughbreds LIKENESS can take out this fillies’ handicap. She posted one win and has been placed in each of her other starts out of West Ilsley and is showing that a change of scenery sits well with her.
Race 8 No2 DORIGO (Nap)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Kevin Stott
DORIGO brings strong claims to the table in the colours of his trainer’s principal domestic owner and should be good enough. The son of Space Blues troubled the judge at three major festivals before posting a midfield finish in a valuable Sales race at the Curragh in which he was far from disgraced. It will be disappointing if he can’t capitalise on this bid drop in grade.
