Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, Yarmouth, Nottingham and Worcester on 13 June 2024.
Newbury
Race 2 No2 BERKSHIRE KAMEO
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
BERKSHIRE KAMEO showed telltale signs of greenness but stayed on to trouble the judge in a Goodwood race that is working out well. Arabian Sun gave the form a boost with his Salisbury triumph on Tuesday and my selection could know too much for the Godolphin-owned newcomer Anno Domini.
Race 3 No2 SHOW BIZ KID (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Pat Dobbs
It’s hard to rule many out in this three-year-old only handicap but I shall stick with SHOW BIZ KIDS, who wasn’t beaten far when taking away a minor cheque at Nottingham and who should enjoy his first visit to this track over a slightly shorter trip.
Race 4 No11 DOUBLE RED (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
DOUBLE RED is carded to start as a roughie in this similar contest but could raise his game, especially if Show Biz Kids runs well in the previous race. The grey finished behind that foe at Nottingham, but has hopefully learned something from the experience.
Race 6 No8 BE FRANK (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Trevor Whelan
A more obvious winning chance for the Candy stable is BE FRANK. He’s put in a couple of earning runs in as many starts in 2024 and finished off his race strongly behind Wild Tiger at Goodwood. He’s the type of individual his trainer can improve, and I just favour him over Pearle D’Or, who like the selection that is coming to hand, and figures to prove dangerous.
Race 7 No9 SIXTIES CHIC (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
Any rain will enhance the chance of SIXTIES CHIC, who fairly bolted up at Windsor and rates a filly that’s improved from three to four. She looked in good heart in her final breeze for this at West Ilsley, and if turning up in similar mood can prove the best bet on the card.
Race 8 No8 AL KHAWANEEJ RIVER
Trainer: Marcus Tregoning – Jockey: Dougie Costello
AL KHAWANEEJ RIVER has progressed from race to race this season, and with Costello in the irons for the first time cosily landed the spoils in a bottom-grade handicap at Windsor. Key to that success was a step up in trip, and he should find this mile and a half just what the doctor ordered.
YARMOUTH
Race 2 No1 ARKHALIA FLYNN
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
A first-time hood can assist ARKHALIA FLYNN, who attracted strong support on his first run back at Windsor only to disappoint. With the benefit of the new headgear, this capable individual can put his best foot forward.
Race 4 No8 BEACH POINT (Nap)
Trainer: William Knight – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
BEACH POINT won in silk smooth fashion at Doncaster before being grabbed in the final stride at Lingfield. The winner Charles Morin was unable to advertise the form when out of the money on Tuesday but ran better than it looked. It would be no surprise were Beach Point to bounce back.
Race 5 No2 CARMARTHEN (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
Havana Gold filly CARMARTHEN was unable to transfer her home promise to the racecourse in three educational starts last year. Her trainer’s patience can now start paying dividends, as she enters the handicap arena on a workable mark.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 3 No4 POST RIDER (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Cole – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
Cole is operating at a more than 20% strike rate which augurs well for his horses at Royal Ascot next week. His runner in this fillies’ handicap POST RIDER had De Sousa in her saddle when delivering at Brighton and that effort suggests she’s better on turf than she is on the all-weather. Kept to a Class5 she has good claims to follow up.
WORCESTER
Race 2 No2 MATTERHORN (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Harry Cobden
This is a tougher race for MATTERHORN than that at Ludlow where he jumped well in the main, and came home unchallenged. If coping with a switch to racing left-handed he can prove too strong for Parc D’Amour.
Race 3 No8 MORNING SPIRIT
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
This competitive handicap chase gives MORNING SPIRIT a good chance to deliver a first success since November 2022. He gave Taste The Fear plenty to think about on his latest start at Southwell which was the seventh occasion in his last ten outings that he’s finished in the money. He’s versatile regarding the ground, and won’t be inconvenienced if it rains.
