Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Lingfield Park, Ffos Las, Warwick and Carlisle on 30 May 2024.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 3 No3 DEL RAY
Trainer: Archie Watson – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Rookie sire Kameko is throwing offspring that bear a close resemblance to him and his daughter DEL RAY could prove the answer to this fillies’ maiden. Her trainer usually has them ready first time, and with positive vibes behind her and Murphy in the hot seat she can make an instant impression.
Race 5 No5 THE CUTEST (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Dorsey Lane is forecast to start at odds-on which makes THE CUTEST more attractive as a betting medium. The latter returns from a more than 200-day absence, but having shown promise in both 2023 outings can prove a thorn in the side of the favourite.
FFOS LAS
Race 1 No5 GUARD DUTY (Nap)
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
GUARD DUTY looked a useful prospect when winning a Warwick bumper last February only to meet with training issues. His handler has given him all the time it takes to recover physically and to regain his poise, which can be rewarded with a success on this first run over hurdles.
Race 5 No7 CROSSBEAU (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Vaughan – Jockey: Alan Johns
CROSSBEAU should have won a race by now, but after falling with the race at his mercy at Chepstow in late January he caught a tartar in Jasmin De Grugy at this course last time. There was much to like about the way he galloped and jumped on that occasion, and he’s in a good position to go one better and boost the recent fortunes of his trainer.
Race 6 No6 BRIDGET MARY
Trainer: Rebecca Curtis – Adam Wedge
Local trainer Curtis possibly has the best chance of a winner on this card with BRIDGET MARY, who after a few earning efforts finished second at Stratford. The Sholokhov mare is operating off a workable mark, and should give another good account to get into the shake-up.
WARWICK
Race 4 No6 TIME FOR A PINT
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Benjamin Macey
TIME FOR A PINT has regularly attracted support since being sent chasing, and the cash was down when he came home unchallenged in a conditional jockeys’ race at this course. Granted his liking of the terrain I shall back him to consolidate.
Race 5 No6 BELLBIRD (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Postponed filly BELLBIRD was a comfortable scorer on just a second run under Rules at Ludlow and now has her attention turned to handicaps. She’s getting 18 lbs from Get Sky High which should be more than enough to tilt the scales in her favour.
CARLISLE
Race 2 No3 KISS ME MY LOVE
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Franny Norton
It was only in a small field that KISS ME MY LOVE finished second at Hamilton earlier in the month, but the run is thought to have done the Invincible Spirit filly a power of good. She meets a more experienced foe in Larchill Lass, but has the necessary scope for improvement to open her account.
Race 5 No3 GALYX (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
GALYX has looked very green in both career starts with a lovely introduction at Newbury followed by a cosy success under tender handling at Windsor. He appreciates a bit of cut in the ground, and should connections elect to make the long journey here from Berkshire rather than waiting for Doncaster the hint should be taken, as he’s a horse with a bright future in front of him.
Race 6 No1 MAMBHA
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
MAMBHA engages in a weak three-year-old-only handicap in which whoever wins will not require too much venom to do so. The daughter of Elzaam put in an improved performance to finish second in a similar race at Redcar with Kode Secret occupying the same placing in the other division of that race. Although she has to concede 5lb to her rival I fancy her to come out on top.
