Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Yarmouth, Newbury, Worcester and Haydock on 15 June 2023.
YARMOUTH
Race 5 No4 PRIMA VALENTINA (Each Way)
Trainer: Robert Eddery – Jockey: Darragh Keenan
Our racing programme could do with more sellers and classified races such as this. On a tricky card, PRIMA VALENTINA could be one capable of raising her game. She looks distinctly moderate on what she’s achieved in three runs so far, but her debut effort at Chelmsford doesn’t read badly, while she could have room for improvement as the least experienced in the field.
NEWBURY
Race 3 No1 LOSE YOURSELF
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
LOSE YOURSELF brings good juvenile form to the table for a stable hitting its stride perfectly for Royal Ascot. The Lope De Vega filly followed up a convincing debut triumph at Newmarket by being narrowly denied by Midnight Mile in the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes at the same track. She’s worked well in preparation for this mid-season return to the fray and can defy her penalty.
Race 4 No2 MONOPOLISE
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Tom Marquand
MONOPOLISE has kept good company in his three outings this season, and though no match for Starnberg at York is a horse that’s ready to win. That’s strong form in the consensus of this race, and he should enjoy stretching out to a mile on a galloping track.
Race 6 No2 SHOBIZ
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: William Buick
Having been scratched from a more straightforward assignment earlier in the week, SHOBIZ remains capable of taking the spoils in this sprint handicap. Though not without his issues, the gelding readily outstripped a big field over this course and distance last month, and at five seems to be realising his full potential.
Race 7 No8 BLINDEDBYTHELIGHTS (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
Anything north of evens should turn out to be a good price for BLINDEDBYTHELIGHTS, a big galloping type who was ill at ease on the Lingfield undulations when beaten by Royal Athena earlier in the week. Having bolted up on his previous start on grass, he’s going to relish a return to it on a terrain that will by ideal for his style of racing.
WORCESTER
Race 2 No5 HENRI LE BON
Trainer: Kerry Lee – Jockey: Brendan Powell
A gamble on HENRI LE BON went west on his return to fences at Stratford. That said, the eight-year-old was beaten only five and a half lengths having jumped fluently. His trainer appears to have found a similarly good opportunity for him.
Race 4 No2 BALLYBEGG
Trainer: Kerry Lee – Jockey: Richard Patrick
From the same stable, BALLYBEGG should find a return to fences beneficial. He ran up against a doughty foe in The Carpenter over hurdles at Uttoxeter last time, and can now look to that rival’s stablemate The Bomber Liston his main stumbling block to glory.
Race 5 No3 SCARPIA (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
SCARPIA has claimed three cheques in better races than this since being operated on for a wind problem. The nine-year-old enjoys the faster ground and deserves a change of luck. She can gain a first success since her Plumpton strike on New Year’s Eve.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 2 No9 STAR OF MYSTERY
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: James Doyle
Godolphin have a couple of huge chances in the juvenile races, starting with STAR OF MYSTERY. The Kodiac filly’s debut second at Doncaster makes her the clear pick of those that have run and will take something ultra-smart from the newcomers to beat her.
Race 3 No4 IMPRESSIVE ACT (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: James Doyle
IMPRESSIVE ACT needs to show that he ran into a couple of smart opponents on his recent visit to Leicester. The Dubawi colt tried to go from gate to line, but as an 8-13 shot was reeled in and weakened. His introductory run at York behind Cuban Thunder remains smart form, and he needs to be given the chance to bounce back.
Race 6 No2 TRAIS FLUORS
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
One-time Group horse TRAIS FLUORS made no mistake at Goodwood last week and escapes a penalty, meaning he is 4lb well in. Though not one to place maximum trust in, he should follow up with a top northern jockey on board for the first time.
