Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Fontwell Park, Wetherby and Southwell on 28 March 2024.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 4 No1 IN D’OR
Trainer: Venetia Williams- Jockey: Mr David Maxwell
IN D’OR was an authoritative scorer at Ludlow to provide his sporting owner/rider with a first victory since his arrival from France. The six-year-old shoulders a 7lb penalty, but as a lightly-raced improver should make it back-to-back successes.
Race 5 No5 LIGHTONTHEWING (Nap)
Trainer: Sue Gardner – Jockey: James Turner
LIGHTONTHEWING absolutely hacked up at Exeter last week and appeals as a horse that is still ahead of his mark. Turner knows how to get the best out of the gelding, and the combination can clinch a fine hat-trick.
WETHERBY
Race 1 No4 GOLDWYN (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Walford – Jockey: Tom Midgley
GOLDWYN has earned on both outings since joining his trainer from Ireland and looks sure to prove hard to beat in a race where few of the runners have public form. Although his defeat by Young Jack has been devalued, he still appeals as the one to beat.
Race 4 No6 MAGICAL KING
Trainer: Stuart Edmunds – Jockey: Ciaran Gethings
MAGICAL KING compromises his chances by occasionally losing momentum at his hurdles, but would hold strong claims in this handicap hurdle if his jumping stands the test. He’s a strong traveller, whose demeanour was boosted when he returned to novice company to score in first-time cheek pieces at this course.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No4 THE DEFIANT
Trainer: Luke Dace – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
THE DEFIANT came of age with a first win for Dace at Chelmsford where he landed some good bets. He hasn’t raced here for several years, but on the occasions, he’s been successful, in the past he’s managed to string together a sequence, which augers well for him going back-to-back.
Race 5 No3 SOAMES FORSYTE (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Tom Eaves
SOAMES FORSYTE has put in a number of pleasing runs this season to show that he’s benefitted from a wind operation. Both his successes happened with Eaves in the hot seat, while he’s also hit the crossbar a couple of times, and is clearly in good heart for this race round a lap of the track.
Race 6 No1 KING OF YORK
Trainer: Scott Dixon – Jockey: Kieran O’Neill
KING OF YORK has been running with the consistency of a Swiss watch. He greatly deserved a battling victory over Bobby Joe Leg at this course and his five visits here in 2024 read an impressive 33131. He has to carry a 5lb penalty, but granted luck in running from his wide post he can add to his laurels.
