Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Lingfield Park, Southwell, Warwick and Wolverhampton on 4 March 2024.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 1 No3 EPIC EXPRESS (Nap)
Trainer: Chris Dwyer – Jockey: Sdam Farragher
EPIC EXPRESS made the perfect return when delivering over the course and distance on seasonal debut two weeks ago. He has a plum draw from which to ensure his attempt to follow up is given every chance, and should follow up.
Race 2 No1 BATTLE QUEEN
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
BATTLE QUEEN can prove the pick in a race where all those at the forefront of the betting are poorly drawn. The daughter of Churchill needs to circumnavigate stall 10 in a field of twelve, but she’s ready for this return to the fray, and can prove a match for Surveyor who like the selection was also placed on both her starts at two.
SOUTHWELL
Race 2 No5 EYED
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
EYED could be one to benefit if this is run at a strong pace. With two front runners locking horns that could easily happen, leaving the path for the selection to arrive late on the scene, as was the case when he finished second at Huntingdon last time.
Race 3 No6 THE LAST DROP (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Phillips – Jockey: Finn Lambert
THE LAST DROP enters the fray bringing solid bumper form to the table from Ireland. Her new trainer has his team in good order, and if translating her earning run at Tramore to our own bumper sphere she should prove hard to beat.
WARWICK
Race 4 No4 BLUEGRASS (Nap)
Trainer: Stuart Edmunds – Jockey: Ciaran Gethings
BLUEGRASS has performed creditably since undergoing surgery for a wind affliction, running out a clear-cut scorer on his latest start at Fakenham. He had good form as a novice last season and looks the one to beat getting weight from his three opponents in this two miles handicap hurdle.
Race 5 No1 BALLYGRIFFINCOTTAGE
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
Persistent rainfall has ensured attritional conditions for this three-mile handicap chase but that shouldn’t prove a bother to BALLYGRIFFINCOTTAGE. The nine-year-old has suffered with breathing issues, but has a good earning record when he completes. He did nothing wrong when narrowly denied by Rose Of Arcadia at Sandown last time, and should enjoy this first visit to his local track where the ability to jump well is always at a premium.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 1 No3 CALSHOT SPIT (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
De Sousa could prove a welcome addition to CALSHOT SPIT of whom we haven’t seen the best of in five outings this year. Though yet to trouble the judge, the New Bay gelding has ability and can earn in the colours of Channon’s father Mick.
Race 5 No5 WOODSTOCK (Nap)
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Joanna Mason
WOODSTOCK went down in a blanket finish when beaten just a neck into fourth on his first run for Carr at Newcastle. Interestingly, it was the Nap’s first run on the all-weather since posting back-to-back successes at Chelmsford and Kempton at this time last year. If turning up in similar mood the Sixties Icon gelding should make an impact.
Race 6 No2 AMANCIO
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
AMANCIO looked unlucky when mugged in the last strides at Lingfield but appeared to have no excuses when one of the first beaten behind Old Chums over this course and distance in February. He has a new pilot in the saddle taking off 3lbs in a step up the distance ladder, which should be to the advantage of the selection.
