Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket, Cheltenham, Ripon and Chelmsford CIty on 20 April 2023.
NEWMARKET
Race 1 No12 FERROUS (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Connor Beasley
FERROUS opened his account at Doncaster right at the back end to demonstrate that cut in the ground holds no perils for him. The Dark Angel colt looked all over the winner on his comeback at Southwell only to be nailed in the final stride by the well-regarded Yorkshire. He should enjoy this move back onto turf, while Beasley’s continued association with him is another plus.
Race 3 Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes (Group 3)
No2 CREATIVE FORCE (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
If turning up close to his best CREATIVE FORCE should make no mistake in this historic sprint that remembers the fastest horse of the post war era. The Dubawi gelding was last seen finishing a creditable third to Caravel in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland, and has been in great form at home ahead of this seasonal reappearance.
Race 4 Bet365 Craven Stakes (Group 3)
No8 THE FOXES
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
This important Guineas trial can see Royal Lodge Stakes winner THE FOXES put his best foot forward. The son of Churchill failed to menace in Royal Ascot’s Chesham Stakes but then never looked back, opening his account at Goodwood before his Group2 success which was handed a considerable boost when the second home Dubai Mile took out a Group 1 in France. Mysterious Night landed a Grade 1 in Canada on his final start for Godolphin last year, and rates the main threat to the selection following the withdrawal of Naval Power.
Race 5 No4 PREPENSE
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Kingman filly PREPENSE didn’t do much wrong when finishing second on both juvenile starts and has subsequently undergone a wind op. Her stable got off the mark with a couple of well-supported winners earlier in the week, and now that she’s been given the time to develop into her frame she can open her account.
Cheltenham
Race 1 No13 LIME DROP (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Richard Patrick
LIME DROP has been saved for an end-of-season campaign and is the type that could post a massive upset in this mares’ final. Her latest offering at Exeter was better than it looked, while she ran a cracker to chase home Midnight Ginger on her previous outing at Newbury on New Year’s Eve. She was the prolific winner of five races last season, and on just a fourth start of the season could have more to offer.
Race 3 No7 QUEENS ROCK (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
QUEENS ROCK should be very much viewed as Henderson’s first string in this Listed mares’ race confined to novices. The daughter of Shirocco stylishly landed some good bets on a first start after a breathing operation at Doncaster. She was in total control up the home straight and can take care of business at the main expense of Deeply Superficial.
Race 7 No3 EL ELEFANTE
Trainer: Lucinda Russell – Jockey: P Wadge
Scottish raider EL ELEFANTE should be a bet worth waiting for and can further boost the coffers of her Grand National-winning trainer. The chestnut was a convincing winner of his first outing under Rules at Musselburgh and is very well regarded.
RIPON
Race 4 No7 BAY BREEZE (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
BAY BREEZE came to hand around this time last year when he hacked up over this course and distance. His underwhelming run at Musselburgh should have served to put the edge on him, and a more prominent showing would be no surprise.
Race 5 No2 CENTRE COURT (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Johnson – Jockey: Joe Fanning
CENTRE COURT improved to bolt up at Newcastle last week and it’s no surprise to see her connections going for a quick follow-up under a penalty which the daughter of Showcasing can prove capable of.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 5 No2 SAAHEQ
Trainer: Adrian Nicholls – Jockey: Mia Nicholls
SAAHEQ has run well on each of his starts this season, latterly beating all but Hans Solo Berger at Southwell. He’s clearly enjoying the new scenery, having moved stables, and is in a good place to do even better Especially if he can get cover.
Race 6 No1 CONCORDE (Nap)
Trainer: George Boughey – Jockey: Pat Cosgrave
CONCORDE will never live up to his name, but he could do no more than hack up on handicap bow at Redcar on Monday. He should make light of his 6lb penalty switched back to the all-weather.
