Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Sandown Park, Lingfield Park, Catterick Bridge and Chelmsford City on 23 May 2024.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 2 No1 HAWAIIAN
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Sean Levey
KODIAC COLT HAWAIIAN is using this as a stepping stone to the Coventry or Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. He’s learned plenty from his debut success at Newbury, and while he will be better over six furlongs this was too good an opportunity for his connections to swerve, granted their good overall record in the contest.
Race 3 CHASEMORE FARM HENRY II STAKES (Group 3)
No1 TRUESHAN
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
TRUESHAN was always doing too much after sweating up before the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot in which he weakened to finish fourth of five. His trainer has hinted this could be the eight-year-old’s final season, but as a Group 1 winner with underfoot conditions he thrives on he’s worth supporting to bounce back, probably at the expense of Sweet William who has proved the superior the last twice they’ve met.
Race 4 CHASEMORE FARM BRIGADIER GERARD STAKES (Group 3)
No1 CERTAIN LAD (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
With the continuous rain threatening to ambush the chances of Isle Of Jura, CERTAIN LAD is left with a great chance of giving Jack Channon a first Group winner. The veteran looked as good as ever with his back-to-back wins at the end of last season and put in a pleasing effort to trouble the judge on a first run back in the John Porter at Newbury. What makes him attractive is his love of testing ground, and if the rain keeps falling it could be attritional by this stage of the evening. The one he needs to get past is Royal Rhyme, who finished fifth in the Champion Stakes last autumn and looks set to go off at prohibitive odds in a weakened field.
Race 5 No4 KIKKULI
Trainer: Harry Charlton – Jockey: Ryan Moore
Moore got a great run out of Frankel’s close relative KIKKULI when the combination delivered at Newmarket last month. The Kingman colt faces some well-regarded foes in the Heron Stakes, but if making normal progress can outpoint hat-trick-seeking Ice Max.
Race 6 No11 HIROMICHI (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
HIROMICHI has arguably never been better, the six-year-old having won three of his last five starts and shown a liking for the soft. His outside draw is an issue, but Rossa Ryan is back in the plate, and can make it three wins from as many rides on the popular grey. One to speculate on as a saver is DRAGON ICON, though the four-year-old frequently flatters only to deceive, and in spite of having plenty of ability is risky.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 5 No1 BEACH POINT (Nap)
Trainer: William Knight – Jockey: Jim Crowley
BEACH POINT has been progressive in his three starts this year, latterly opening his account in decisive fashion at Doncaster. While his all-weather form is not as good, he’s the one holding the cards in this bid for a quick-fire follow-up.
Race 6 No5 LETABA
Trainer: Ed Dunlop – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
In his last three starts LETABA has posted two successes and a place, with both wins happening on Polytrack. Top apprentice Loughnane takes the reins for the first time on the Muhaarar gelding, who in an open heat can parry the challenge of top weight Chips And Rice.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 4 No1 MACARONE
Trainer: Craig Lidster – Jockey: Shane Gray
Top weight MACARONE landed two of his last three outings in 2023 before making a pleasing return to action when third in soft ground at Pontefract. The Havana Grey colt is developing into a consistent sprinter and following yesterday’s rain is more likely than some of his market rivals to produce his running.
Race 5 No2 MUSIC SOCIETY (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Duran Fentiman
Three last time-out winners will occupy a large chunk of the betting handle on this 1200 metres sprint but at longer odds MUSIC SOCIETY can earn. The grey needs to end a losing run that goes back a year and a half, but a couple of runs last month should have put the edge on him, and though getting longer in the tooth the nine-year-old needs respecting.
Race 8 No2 LANGHOLM (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Connor Beasley
LANGHOLM rarely fails to take away a cheque on his visits to this track and there’s every chance this will be the third time in succession he’s achieved it this season. Beasley has ridden him in most of his races through the last three seasons, and from a good draw one off the fence the combination has strong claims, as most of the others are badly out of form.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 2 No12 STAR RUNNER
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Callum Hutchinson
Balding is double-handed in an interesting novice, though STAR RUNNER is far better drawn than Groovy Baby and looks a bet. The Zoustar gelding earned on both outings last season and although returning from a long absence is ready for this.
Race 7 No6 MAGIC GEM (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Dylan Hogan
Lincolnshire raider MAGIC GEM is a fascinating prospect and can prove a bet worth waiting for in this low-grade handicap. The chestnut is with a third trainer in the last year, but showed with a narrow defeat on debut for Herrington that he’s benefitted from his latest move.
