Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Fontwell Park, Catterick Bridge, Southwell and Chelmsford City on 11 January 2024.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 1 No4 HIGH TREASON (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
HIGH TREASON faces a tough opponent in Livin On Luco but in what could amount to a straight match can open his account in the maiden hurdle. The Nap had solid form in bumpers before debuting over jumps in a race that was hotter than it looked on paper. He nevertheless made a good fist of it 7ntil weakening on the run-in and will be wiser for it.
Race 2 No5 GORCOMBE MOONSHINE
Trainer: Robert Walford – Jockey: Harry Kimber
GOTCOMBE MOONSHINE made the perfect start to the season with his success on chase debut at this track on Boxing Day. The way he jumped and put the race to bed suggests he will go further in this division than he achieved as a hurdler. He clearly likes the figure-of-eight circuit, and with similar underfoot conditions prevailing can follow up.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 1 No9 PHONE HOME (Each Way)
Trainer: Jamie Snowden – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
PHONE HOME can add to Snowden’s very good record at this garrison course with the addition of a tongue strap. The Telescope mare has earned in each of her four outings under Rules and has plenty of experience of jumping. It was in a slightly better race that she was beaten a distance at Lingfield, but her stamina gave out that day. Under a new pilot and racing over a shorter trip she is capable of bouncing back.
Race 2 No1 MINNIEMUM (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Richard Patrick
MINNIEMUM isn’t ideally built for carrying big weights but on reflection, she might have won at Doncaster last month had she not made a break for home early in the long straight. Although succumbing to Phillipa Sue on the run-in the seven-year-old put in a career best. She deserves reward for her sheer consistency, and with Patrick back in the irons can prevail.
Race 4 No1 HASTHING
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Richie McLernon
HASTHING took a while to master Rocket Ronald on his hurdling bow at Leicester but was green, and will hopefully have learned something from it. He was a smart bumper horse without winning, and for a trainer amongst the winners can stave off the challenge of Pic Roc who is a potential improver.
Race 5 No7 CRIXUS’S ESCAPE (Each Way)
Trainer: Gilliam Boanas – Jockey: Theo Gillard
When scoring at this course last month, CRIXUS’S ESCAPE could be named the winner a long way out. That belated first triumph marked continued progression, suggesting that now the penny has dropped there could be more to come. He looks a dour stayer, and can fend off the challenges of fellow recent scorers Bushypark and Court At Slip.
SOUTHWELL
Race 4 No6 MERESIDE MADNESS (Nap)
Trainer: David Barron – Jockey: Adam Farragher
MERESIDE MADNESS receives bundles of weight from each of his five opponents and is fresh from a recent readying run. That effort to chase home Wren Officer was a first run on sand, and saw him step up to 1200 metres. Judging from the way he finished and a pedigree check, the Buratino gelding should benefit going further still as he stretches out to a mile.
Race 6 No5 LEAP DAY
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
The rest of this card is devoted to horses that did us a good turn by winning last time. LEAP DAY landed some good bets when opening his account at this track where he was firmly in control at the finish. He looked happier racing over today’s trip of a mile, and can go back to back.
Race 7 No10 BLAZING HOT
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Tom Eaves
BLAZING HOT travelled strongly and was determined in front when taking out the nightcap here on Tuesday. If making a swift reappearance from a good draw he can also put this one on the board.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 3 No4 ROTHAY PARK (Nap)
Trainer: Daniel Kubler – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
Showcasing colt ROTHAY PARK has started at 125-1, 80-1 and 16-1 for his three outings to date, but made great strides when second in a tight finish with Morning Suit on the latest, at Lingfield. He has experience of this track, and with just a little further progression can get off the mark.
Race 4 No10 Q TWENTY BOY (Each Way)
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: Georgie Dobie
Q TWENTY BOY is well drawn in this open sprint in which he can look forward to another payday of sorts. The chestnut has been ridden by a woman on a sequence of four straight visits here, and gained a deserved success in the autumn. He’s a horse that reacts favourably to the gentle touch, and should again be in the thick of things at the finish with Dobie on board for the first time.
Race 6 No7 ULTRAMARINE
Trainer: David Evans – Jockey: Hayley Turner
ULTRAMARINE is a bet worth waiting for as he attempts to complete a hat-trick in a race he can dominate. In winning three of his last four the five-year-old has advertised his preference for a range of all-weather surfaces, and though taking a step up the class ladder should still prove hard to beat.
