Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Wincanton, Market Rasen Chelmsford CIty on 7 December 2023.
WINCANTON
Race 2 No11 STUTI (Nap)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: David Bass
STUTI proved easy to back but for much of the journey looked like winning on her hurdles introduction at Market Rasen. By Kayf Tara, she hails from a good family and has learned plenty from that initial experience. She can take the measure of Queen Annie in an interesting heat.
Race 3 No5 WEST END BOY
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Harry Cobden
Chandlers Bay is one to monitor in the betting on this handicap hurdle but he will do well to end the winning run of WEST END BOY, who after back-to-back successes can complete a fine hat-trick from an 11lb higher mark.
Race 5 No6 WILLIAMDECONQUEROR
Trainer: Harriet Dickin – Jockey: Benjamin Poste
WILLIAMDECONQUEROR was beaten inches on his return to the fray at Lingfield to suggest a first success under Rules should not be long in coming from the seven-year-old. With relatively few miles on the clock there should be more to come from him, and he can provide a timely boost to his small stable ahead of the Christmas period.
MARKET RASEN
Race 3 No3 STRACKAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
STRACKAN kept on in his own time for a minor cheque on hurdling debut at Chepstow. He will need to have learned plenty from that against Take No Chances and The Doyen Chief, but with his stable running onto some form he could cause them problems at an attractive price.
Race 4 No1 DIAMOND TWIN
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
DIAMOND TWIN had his winning chance compromised by Dr Lockdown on the run-in here three weeks ago which makes him a winner without a penalty. In a weak race, the top weight is strongly fancied to go one better.
Race 5 No5 MIXEDWAVE (Nap)
Trainer: Pam Sly – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
Roger Rarebit looked a natural for fences when scoring by a wide margin at Uttoxeter but I struggle to see him successfully conceding more than a stone to MIXEDWAVE, who was posting a third success over fences with a gritty display here last month. The six-year-old has a good record at the track, is rarely out of the money and should take care of business.
Race 7 No5 DIAMOND KODA
Trainer: Nick Kent – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Bumpers are my least favourite route to backing winners but in this instance DIAMOND KODA might have the bases covered. In the money on both outings under Rules, he pulled clear with the eventual winner at Sandown and should be able to utilise that form from a Grade 1 course to good effect in the nightcap.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 2 No2 ON THE CARDS (Nap)
Trainer: Marcus Tregoning – Jockey: Dougie Costello
ON THE CARDS made a big step up on his second and latest outing when second in a close photo with Mashaaer at Lingfield. He’s shown he can act on Polytrack, and that form if repeated gives him a very good chance of victory.
Race 7 No5 KITBAG (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
From a stable that provided a nice winner for us earlier in the week, KITBAG is well drawn in this sprint handicap and should earn. He was only two lengths behind the winner when fifth on his latest start at Lingfield. With the cheekpieces he wore that day retained, granted the rub of the green he can make this a first success in well over a year.
