Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket, Nottingham, Newcastle, Leicester and Hamilton Park on 27 June 2024.
NEWMARKET
Race 1 No5 TWILIGHT BALLET (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Twilight Son colt TWILIGHT BALLET troubled the judge on his Lingfield introduction when ridden by Murphy and figures to step up on that pleasing effort for a trainer whose juveniles invariably go forward on their second start. The chestnut faces competition from the similarly profiled Praetorian but he’s in good order, and can take care of business.
Race 5 No8 DARKNESS (Each Way)
Trainer: David O’Meara – Jockey: Jason Watson
Given the rub of the green, DARKNESS can have a big say in this Class3 over 1400 metres. The former French-trained gelding put in his best run of the season when third at Goodwood earlier in the month after looking a likely winner. It was a clear indication that he’s getting close to a return to winning ways.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 3 No1 POWER OF DESTINY
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
Sea The Stars filly POWER OF DESTINY has to give 7lb to Blessed Honour, but with The Godolphin horses going through a lull there’s a good chance the selection, a tidy winner at Chelmsford, can produce a similar level of form on this switch to turf and follow-up.
Race 5 No8 MISS STORMY NIGHT (Nap)
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
MISS STORMY NIGHT produced a good turn of foot to put her Salisbury race to bed, with the promise of more to come in this move up the class ladder, and from 1000 metres to 1200 metres. Her chance will be boosted if Ten Commitments wins at Leicester.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No9 WEDADI (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Joe Fanning
It’s noticeable that Johnston’s Middleham team is hitting a hot streak at its usual mid-summer period, and the yard can be followed in the coming weeks. WEDADI could be its latest scorer following a promising effort at Leicester when an easy-to-back 12-1 shot. Granted normal progression the daughter of Make Believe can trump another product of that sire in the much-vaunted newcomer Louie The Legend.
Race 5 No5 BRUNCH
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Connor Beasley
The Seaton Delaval has a totally different guise to it, having been granted handicap status and making it far removed from the prestigious two-year-old race which used to attract Classic prospects. I fancy Brunch to do well for a Michael Dods stable that is going through a purple patch. The seven-year-old put in an eye-taking effort to claim a minor cheque on his first run back at Nottingham, an effort that has teed him up beautifully for this Class2.
Race 7 No10 STASH THE CASH (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Duran Fentiman
STASH THE CASH shows plenty of boot for a horse that is stoutly bred, and after scoring in testing conditions at Haydock has earned on his last couple of starts when there was also give in the ground. He’s an interesting candidate getting weight from the majority of his rivals on a switch to Tapeta, and should get into the shake-up.
LEICESTER
Race 5 No4 TEN COMMITMENTS (Nap)
Trainer: Jamie Osborne – Jockey: William Carver
With four earning starts from five attempts TEN COMMITMENTS has shown he has something to offer. He can emerge as the best of five three-year-olds taking on two older horses and is strongly fancied to open his account.
Race 6 No3 MONKS MEAD (Each Way)
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: George Bass
MONKS MEAD has performed consistently well without winning this season and looks to have been found a good slot to gain a deserved success in this low-grade handicap. The grey has a good apprentice taking 3lb off his back who has never ridden him before.
HAMILTON PARK
Race 1 No6 RORY THE CAT
Trainer: Lucinda Russell – Jockey: Mr Freddie Keightley
Any money for Lindwall in this amateur riders’ race would interest me, and if anywhere near his best on debut for his trainer he would have to figure. More likely to produce the goods however is RORY THE CAT following an eye-catching first run back at Pontefract on which he can build.
Race 7 No7 CUBAN ROCK (Nap)
Trainer: Jim Goldie – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
CUBAN ROCK can’t be kicked out of the equation after a couple of earning runs at Hamilton and Thirsk, and rates a bet worth waiting for against a bunch of out-of-form rivals.
