Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Hereford, Lingfield Park and Newcastle on 4 January 2024.
HEREFORD
Race 3 No6 MELUSINE DE PAIL (Nap)
Trainer: Noel Williams – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
MELUSINE DE PAIL has performed with promise on both starts this season, and especially when chasing home Coco Mademoiselle at Lingfield in late November. The grey stuck on well to claim a minor cheque and should be suited by this slightly longer trip.
Race 4 No8 MATTIE ROSS (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Phillips – Jockey: Sam Twiston- Davies
MATTIE ROSS is one that can figure in the finish of this mares’ maiden hurdle at a decent price. She had very good form in bumpers and needed her race when sixth in a big field at Doncaster. Very easy to back on the Town Moor, the race has served to bring her closer to the boil.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 3 No4 ENPASSANT
Trainer: James Fanshawe – Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
ENPASSANT has had a few chances but still appeals as the one most likely to deliver on this latest handicap venture. The addition of a hood when third in a blanket finish here before Christmas didn’t seem to help him, and that is removed. He also ran well when second on a first Gosforth Park visit on Halloween, and can take the honours at the main expense of All Agleam.
Race 5 No10 INTRICATE PILLAR (Each Way)
Trainer: Tom Ward – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
The addition of cheek pieces as well as the presence of Doyle on her back for the first time can propel INTRICATE PILLAR into the shake-up. It’s over a year since the Awtaad filly gained her only career start, but she’s been knocking on the door, and doesn’t need to find much to get involved.
Race 7 No2 SEE THAT STORM (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
SEE THAT STORM created a favourable impression when scoring on his introduction here when he attracted significant market support. The colt is the only winner in the field, and can defy his penalty.
NEWCASTLE
Race 4 No3 AUGUST (Each Way)
Trainer: Mike Appleby – Jockey: Alistair Rawlinson
AUGUST was readily swept aside by Bystander over course and distance last week but is worth staying with on this move back into a handicap. The former John Gosden-trained gelding has been unlucky to run into a couple of smart foes and can make this a first-career win on his third outing for Appleby.
Race 5 No1 BYSTANDER (Nap)
Trainer: Karl Burke – Jockey: Clifford Lee
BYSTANDER will hopefully have received a boost through August when he makes a swift return to action under a penalty in this novice stakes. The gelding proved much too good for his rival at the business end last week, and following his purchase at the Sales looks every inch a shrewd buy.
Race 8 No11 PHOENIX STAR (Each Way)
Trainer: Jessica Macey – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
PHOENIX STAR has proved a regular earner for his connections since scoring at this course in the early autumn. He followed up here, finished second over the minimum trip at the end of October and wasn’t disgraced when just out of the money before Christmas. Back at his optimum distance he should again finish 8n the shake-up.
