Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Chelmsford and Southwell on 18 January 2024.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 2 No1 KITBAG (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
KITBAG gets a new jockey for his first run at this track since chasing home Thank The Lord in December. He failed to cope with a bad draw when fourth at Southwell on his latest start but on the balance of form he’s the one to beat.
Race 5 No3 ISLAND NATIVE (Each Way)
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey:
ISLAND NATIVE underwhelmed to a point at Lingfield last week, though in finishing seventh he was beaten just a length and a quarter in total. He’s shown enough in three outings for his trainer to suggest he can make this a winning first visit to this Essex track.
Race 6 No5 CURTIZ (Each Way)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: David Probert
CURTIZ is an interesting candidate for this low-grade handicap, jumping off the page as a horse that is ready to win. His last two earning efforts at Lingfield mark him down as one that’s capable of turning back the clock, and making this a first success since he completed a turf hat-trick at Epsom at the back end of the 2021 season.
SOUTHWELL
Race 4 No11 TIGER BEETLE (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Rimell – Jockey: Ron Hornby
TIGER BEETLE hails from a small stable that can get one ready. His AW campaign has included back-to-back successes at Wolverhampton and he just needs to show that he acts on Tapeta on a belated first visit to this course.
Race 6 No5 CUBANISTA (Each Way)
Trainer: Olly Williams – Jockey: Phil Dennis
CUBANISTA is a speculative advice in a weak race that he’s more than capable of winning if rediscovering the best of his turf form. This is only a fifth run on sand for the five-year-old, who is gradually learning the rudiments of winter all-weather racing.
Race 7 No6 KATS BOB
Trainer: Iain Jardine – Jockey: Archie Young
KATS BOB looked like he might have turned a corner with his battling victory here earlier in the month. The horse he beat ran well on its next start, while Young was in the hot seat for the first time, and therefore defends an unbeaten record on the selection.
