Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Sandown Park, Doncaster, Worcester, Newbury and Yarmouth on 25 July 2024.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 2 No10 RULING COURT (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: William Buick
RULING COURT is a son of much sought-after sire Justify out of a High Chaparral mare who comes here with a glowing home reputation. At a track where Appleby often unleashes some of his best juveniles, the colt can make a winning start on the way to better things.
Race 3 No11 THE TERMINUS (Each Way)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
Too Darn Hot filly THE TERMINUS got home by the skin of her teeth at Kempton to justify solid support in the betting ring. She’s worked well on grass subsequently, and though faced with strong competition from Flaming Stone is capable of remaining unbeaten.
Race 6 No8 SAMOON STAR
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: David Egan
Dubawi filly SAMOON STAR made a big jump forward when switched to a handicap and should have further progression in her from that Leicester race. She receives up to a stone from her seven opponents and could easily be well in.
DONCASTER
Race 1 No11 BRINDLEY (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
With his tongue tied down BRINDLEY upped the ante to be narrowly denied over a mile at Newbury when his connections had reservations over whether he would get the trip. In a safety first move they have pulled him back to 1400 metres today, and the Calyx gelding is in a good place to open his account.
Race 2 No5 LIGHTENING MANN (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
LIGHTENING MANN would appeal as a value win and place bet if anywhere near his forecast odds. The Kameko colt looked clueless on his first run at Salisbury only for the penny to drop in the final furlong and a half in which he passed several rivals to finish not far out of the money. He appears to have learned plenty from the outing, and should be suited by this course.
Race 7 No8 FLETCHER’S FLIGHT
Trainer: Phil McBride – Jockey: Adam Farragher
FLETCHER’S FLIGHT has raced exclusively at Yarmouth this season resulting in gradual progression to return to winning ways over six furlongs earlier in the month. He appears to have benefitted from a breathing operation, and kept to the sprint distance can make it back-to-back successes.
WORCESTER
Race 2 No2 ALMAZHAR GARDE (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
Sound jumping has always been a hallmark of ALMAZHAR GARDE’s performances, and he’s been inch-perfect in a recent win at Bangor and second, at this course where he was mugged on the run in. Whilst operating at the top of his game, he needs following, with another big run on the cards.
Race 4 No10 SERGEANT (Each Way)
Trainer: Harriet Dickin – Jockey: Bradley Harris
SERGEANT is not an obvious pick for this two miles handicap hurdle, but he had some good form before going into an enforced layoff and now races out of a new stable. While he could need this first run in 534 days he’s well worth a market check.
NEWBURY
Race 4 No3 SURREY BELLE
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Rob Hornby
SURREY BELLE did us a good turn when scoring at Kempton last week where she was hugely impressive in coming home unchallenged. The Golden Horn filly has taken those exertions in her stride, and can make light of her 5lb penalty as she was value for more than that.
Race 6 No1 THROUBI
Trainer: James Fanshawe – Jockey: Ross Coakley
THROUBI was having just a seventh career start when breaking her duck at Doncaster. That success should act as a confidence booster to the daughter of Teofilo who is in the mood to follow up.
YARMOUTH
Race 5 No4 MISS ATTITUDE
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
Cityscape filly MISS ATTITUDE has developed well physically and become a more controlled conveyance than she was last season. She’s displayed a useful turn of foot to win and finish second in her two outings in 2024 and is not making the long journey from West Berkshire just for the goodness of her health.
Race 6 No6 BAILEY’S KHELSTAR
Trainer: CharlieJohnston – Jockey: Joe Fanning
BAILEY’S KHELSTAR has earned in nine of his 11 career starts including three successes, while he’s never looked as good as she has this season. The four-year-old is up against mainly older rivals in this Racing League contest, but can post a big earning run to set himself up for one of the big handicaps at Goodwood.
Race 7 No3 BELIEVE IN STARS (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Harry Davies
BELIEVE IN STARS acquitted himself well when returning from a lengthy absence at Windsor where he failed by inches to justify strong market support. That was only a fifth career start for the Make Believe gelding who has bundles of improvement in him, and rates the best bet on this competitive card.
