Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Thursday 24 October 2024

NOTTINGHAM

Race 5 No8 SAN FRANCISCO BAY
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Trevor Whelan

New enterprising tactics almost paid off for SAN FRANCISCO BAY when he finished second as a 22-1 roughie at Bath. The five-year-old relished that switch from the all-weather to grass, and can prove it was no fluke by going one better in the colours of his trainer.

Race 7 No6 FIRST ENCOUNTER
Trainer: John Gallagher – Jockey: Darragh Keenan

This is a tough card for punting but FIRST ENCOUNTER could be a bet as he finds himself in a race that might have cut up in his favour. The recent Chelmsford scorer is copping a fair amount of weight from his five opponents, and can make it a winning first visit to the Colwick Park circuit.

CARLISLE

Race 1 No3 JOHNNYWHO (Nap)
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

This card kicks off with a cracking novices’ chase in which JOHNNYWHO can put his best foot forward. The Califet gelding ran well in top novice hurdles including the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival before claiming a minor cheque on his only handicap venture at the Aintree Grand National meeting. He’s schooled proficiently over fences at home, and just needs to reproduce that on the track to show us he’s an exciting prospect.

Race 5 No3 BROUGHSHANE
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

The O’Neills have claims to double up with BROUGHSHANE, who bossed his first run in a handicap when reappearing at Fontwell. The Mahler gelding has few miles on his racing clock, and from his revised mark still makes plenty of appeal against another with solid winning form in MR HOPE STREET.

Race 7 No3 PEEJAYBEE
Trainer: Peter Bowen – Jockey: James Bowen

Another competitive handicap can see PEEJAYBEE troubling the judge. The eight-year-old had to dig deep to make sure of victory on his Perth reappearance and has gone forward from that at home. He’s starting to look as useful as he was in bumpers and over hurdles for his previous trainer, and is one to follow in the weeks ahead.

LUDLOW

Race 3 No2 DAMEOFTHECOTSWOLDS (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

One to keep an eye on in the betting is MELUSINE DE PAIL, who could have improved for her summer at grass, but if DAMEOFTHECOTSWOLDS is on the case she should come out best. She’s had a few chances, and though making quite hard work of her win at Plumpton ran better than that when chasing home Rockstown Girl at Chepstow.

Race 4 No1 REGAL RENAISSANCE
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

Locally trained REGAL RENAISSANCE has became a model of consistency and appeals as another winning chance for Sam Twiston-Davies. This mares’ only race is a compressed handicap in which she can make light of top weight against horses that are also making their seasonal reappearances.

Race 6 No2 OPERA KING
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

OPERA KING showed promise in bumpers and has earned in three of his four outings over hurdles. While not one of the leading lights at Grange Farm Stables he should be able to build on his encouraging first run back at Market Rasen, and open his account.

Race 7 No2 INOUI MACHIN
Trainer: Neil Mulholland – Jockey: Dylan Johnston

INOUI MACHIN regularly attracted support and to his credit claimed a cheque in each of his seven runs over hurdles last season, signing off with a game success at Kempton. All his races happened on easy tracks, and he should find this first visit to Ludlow a similarly pleasant experience.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 3 No3 HILLBRIDGE
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert

Frankel filly HILLBRIDGE has had more chances than her foes in this fillies’ novice but needs to be taken seriously as she drops down the distance ladder. She’s looked more settled in a hood, while it’s interesting her connections have elected to keep her in this discipline rather than going into handicaps.

Race 5 No5 SPERIAMO (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie McBride – Jockey: Alec Voikhansky

SPERIAMO hasn’t raced at this track for 18 months and been largely campaigned on turf, but her recent all-weather form reads well. Since opening her account for the year at Chelmsford the grey has failed by an aggregate of just a length to complete a hat-trick, and in current mood will be hard to keep out of the argument.

SOUTHWELL

Race 1 No8 THECLA (Nap)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Tom Eaves

THECLA is bred to be fast and made no mistake on her third start after being heavily supported at Hamilton. The Acclamation filly has previous experience of this track, and can put it to good use as she tries to follow-up.

Race 9 No3 TEES GEORGE
Trainer: Adrian Nicholls – Jockey: Hollie Doyle

TEES GEORGE can play us out with success in the nightcap, having gained an emphatic victory at Beverley last month. With Doyle in the irons the combination came home unchallenged, and they can emit similar treatment with the first time cheek pieces worn that day retained.