Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Hereford, Wetherby, Chelmsford City and Southwell on 6 April 2023.
HEREFORD
Race 1 No5 PRINCE DES FICHAUX
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Shane Quinlan
PRINCE DES FICHAUX ran a strange race at Fontwell where he lost his position racing down the back straight but then stayed on to finish best of all. He is proving difficult to win with, but can look lively in this opening conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle.
Race 4 No10 CHANTILLY HAZE (Nap)
Trainer: Phil Dando – Jockey: Conor Ring
CHANTILLY HAZE failed by a diminishing half a length to peg back I Giorgio here last month and now enjoys a 2lb pull in the weights with that foe. This is her 22nd attempt to get off the mark, but the ability is there, and she’s clearly in good heart.
Race 6 No3 UNCLE ARTHUR (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
UNCLE ARTHUR returns from a short break after running a stinker at Fakenham. The former winning bumper horse hasn’t managed to transfer that ability to jumping, but if putting it all in is on a good mark to buck that trend.
WETHERBY
Race 5 No11 RUMBLE B (Each Way)
Trainer: Justin Landy – Jockey: John Kington
This long distance handicap hurdle can see RUMBLE B taking home another cheque. The Presenting gelding finished with some gusto on his latest starts her and is versatile regarding underfoot conditions. The likely strong pace in this 17-runner affair is going to suit him, and he can get into the shake-up along with Joanna I’m Fine on whom a ‘saver’ is advised.
Race 6 No3 NOT SURE (Nap)
Trainer: Kerry Lee – Jockey: Richard Patrick
Lee has her chasers In particularly good order whilst getting ready to send Nemean Lion for a valuable race in Ireland. NOT SURE has contributed to her success with victories at Hereford and Uttoxeter and has shown improvement for the fitting of blinkers. His record over fences reads 44131, and he could easily have more to offer.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 3 No6 SOCIETY LION (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Dunlop – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
On a disappointing card for punting SOCIETY LION makes certain appeal on his seasonal return. He ran a number of good races on sand and turf last year, and looked unfortunate not to score more than once. It’s hard to know how he will fare after a winter off, but his two previous visits to this course saw him go away with a cheque.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No2 SAAHEQ (Each Way)
Trainer: Adrian Nicholls – Jockey: Mia Nicholls
SAAHEQ is a hold up sprinter who needs the cards to fall in his favour when rivals weaken off a strong pace. The nine-year-old could well enjoy that scenario on only a round start for his trainer, having shaped well on his debut out of the yard at Chelmsford.
Race 2 No5 SAINT GEORGE
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Sweet William takes good form onto this novice stakes but may find SAINT GEORGE a troublesome foe. The selection failed to menace on seasonal return at Newcastle but has been made sharper for that earning run. His stable has been winning with horses of his ilk, and he will appreciate the step up in trip.
Race 7 No11 KISS MY FACE (Nap)
Trainer: Brian Ellison – Jockey: Harry Russell
KISS MY FACE looks the day’s banker as he bids to complete a hat-trick in the nightcap. Having hacked up over this course and distance the gelding has a large potion of his penalty wiped out by his jockey’s 3lb claim. There’s every chance he’s going to cock another snook at the handicapper and extend his winning sequence.
