Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket, Pontefract, Perth and Southwell on 26 September 2024.
NEWMARKET
Race 4 TATTERSALLS STAKES (Group 3)
No4 HUSCAL
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: Jason Watson
This is a step up the class ladder for HUCAL, but one he can take in his stride. The Saxon Warrior colt has impressed in recent successes at Ripon and Thirsk whilst on both occasions overcoming greenness and a tendency to hang. He’s probably capable of better, and can turn into a flagship juvenile for a stable that’s been by its high standards relatively quiet through the summer.
Race 5 No1 HARBOUR WIND (Nap)
Trainer: Dermot Weld – Jockey: Chris Hayes
Frankel colt Fighter takes the eye on a hat-trick mission from the base of the weights and should run well, but preference is for HARBOUR WIND who brings the best form to the table and doesn’t know how to put in a bad one. A winner of four of his seven career starts and second in the other three, he’s a dual Listed winner and has two near misses in Group company to his name which makes him a bet worth waiting for, and for a trainer who rarely misses with his now occasional runners in the UK.
Race 7 No5 AMSTERDAM
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
In a very competitive nightcap AMSTERDAM can claim a decent-sized cheque. The Dutch Art gelding has posted three seconds from only four starts this season and his last two have come at Grade 1 tracks. Importantly he’s now back in a Class4 after forcing a photo with the useful Zain Blue at York three weeks ago. Of the others, Classic Encounter will probably attract support, but Terries Royale is one I fear most and worth saving on.
PONTEFRACT
Race 2 No11 ROCK DIVA
Trainer: Ollie Sangster – Jockey: Kevin Stott
ROCK DIVA breaks from the rail in this maiden run round a left-handed bend and can with a victory over the equally well-drawn Dark Rosa endorse the promise of her first run at Wolverhampton. She’s worked well on grass at home, and has gone nicely forward.
Race 3 No8 OVERTURE
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
The irrepressible Prescott continues to excel with his three-year-old handicappers. His tried and tested formula has enabled OVERTURE to collate a four-race winning sequence and the filly still looks ahead of her mark under a 6lb penalty. All things being equal she can complete a magnificent nap hand of victories on this stiff track that will suit her style of racing.
Race 4 No8 KIRKDALE (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Zelzal colt KIRKDALE is better drawn than market rival Hot Dancer and can carry the Nap vote to a first success for a yard enjoying a hot streak. He was supported on his latest start at Musselburgh, only to find Antonio Dvorak too strong, but the move up to a mile on this more testing course can prove factors that make him the one to be on.
Race 5 No11 ELFORLEATHER (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
ELFORLEATHER is a very good-looking horse that will probably make someone a good jumper this winter. In the meantime, he can add to his laurels in this low-grade handicap in which he‘s getting weight from each of his ten opponents. The gelding wasn’t seen at his best at Hamilton last time, but pulled back to a mile and a half can fare better.
Race 6 No4 TOP JUGGLER
Trainer: John Quinn – Jockey: Jason Hart
Bungle Inthejungle colt TOP JUGGLER is the type to thrive now he’s going down the nursery route. A convincing scorer at Hamilton in a run that earned him a mark, he’s up against a couple of fellow recent winners but should know too much for them.
Race 7 No3 THE GOOD BISCUIT
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
THE GOOD BISCUIT is only 2lb higher than when pipped by Batak Zabeel at Ripon in a race he looked sure to win. He’s enjoyed a three-month sojourn since that good effort and is fresh and fancied to spark a bountiful autumn campaign on ground that should prove to be right up his street. He’s certainly one of the most interesting runners on a good card for wagering.
PERTH
Race 1 No3 BISHOP HILL
Trainer: Lucinda Russell – Jockey: P Wadge
BISHOP HILL earned in all four starts in maiden hurdles this year before falling on her handicap bow, also at this course. With her deep knowledge of the Scone Park circuit the Malinas mare can gain and overdue first success under Rules, and a popular one.
Race 3 No5 MR MACKAY (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
While Twiston-Davies doesn’t dominate this meeting in quite the same fashion he used to he rarely leaves empty-handed, and in MR MACKAY he fields a strong contender for the two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase. I liked the way he shaped on his first run over fences at Bangor where he sometimes lost ground in the air, but he will have learned plenty from the experience. If starting close to his paper price (6-1) I shall increase my bet.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No4 PROPHET’S PATH (Nap)
Trainer: Owen Burrows – Jockey: Jim Crowley
In what looks a strictly two-horse affair PROPHET’S PATH can outgun Lennox. The Masar gelding left the cash behind when heavily supported and starting odds-on in a Wolverhampton novice but should enjoy this slightly longer trip on a first run at the track.
Race 4 No6 SCOTTISH REEL (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Joe Fanning
Sugarloaf Lenny will attract a large part of the betting handle on this all-aged Class5 but there could be value against him in the shape of SCOTTISH REEL. The three-year-old needs to step up on this first handicap venture but he’s completely unexposed and didn’t fare too badly when earning a mark with a minor placing at Windsor.
Race 8 No9 THE DEFIANT (Each Way)
Trainer: Luke Dace – Jockey: Jack Dace
A high draw on the straight 1000 metres course is no bad thing and should help THE DEFIANT get into the shake-up. Although nearing the veteran stage, the eight-year-old has retained a good level of form through 2024 and can make this a first success in six months. He has limited experience of this track in its new form but after a narrow defeat at Chelmsford is ready to go one better.
