Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Wincanton, Carlisle, Lingfield Park and Newcastle on 7 March 2024.
WINCANTON
Race 3 No4 MAVIS PIKE (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Hat-trick seeker Emily’s Choice is a rare runner here for her trainer and needs respecting, but the former point winner may have to give second best to MAVIS PIKE, who posted a midfield finish on her jumps debut at Chepstow, and if progressing from that can take advantage of the 7lb she receives from her rival.
Race 5 No12 ROBBER’S BRIDGE
Trainer: Simon Earle – Jockey: James Best
Some infrequent winners bedeck this two-mile handicap hurdle, leaving the door open for ROBBER’S BRIDGE to post an overdue success. The six-year-old frequently claims a cheque, including when chasing home Billytherealbigred at Leicester last time. It’s a run that if repeated could see the selection end a 16-race wait for success.
CARLISLE
Race 2 No2 ROCHEVAL (Nap)
Trainer: Lucinda Russell – Jockey: P Wadge
Winner of a bumper and a novice hurdle and unbeaten under Rules, ROCHEVAL can confirm by completing a hat-trick that he’s one of the most promising young horses in the Russell stable. He’s been given time to get over his Ayr triumph in December and can see off the attentions of three previous winners.
Race 5 No6 HIGHLANDS LEGACY
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
HIGHLANDS KEGACY might have been unfortunate not to score on his hurdles debut at Wincanton when meeting interference at the penultimate flight. The Kayf Tara gelding had previously earned in both bumper starts and looks a worthy favourite for a yard firing in winners in the approach to Cheltenham. One More Stroke beat a stablemate of the selection at Catterick and is feared most.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 1 No7 GEARING’S POINT (Each Way)
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: Mikkel Mortensen
A three-time winner on the Flat last summer, GEARING’S POINT returns to Polytrack after experiencing mixed results in a couple of outings over hurdles. The mare is the winner of one of only two visits to this course and has a promising pilot on the plate for this hands and heels race in which there are no whips.
Race 4 No9 QUEEN OF ZAFEEN (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hughes – Jockey: William Buick
Perhaps the most interesting horse on view at the meeting is QUEEN OF ZAFEEN. The daughter of Ten Sovereigns was hugely impressive when scoring over course and distance last month and deserves a step into a Class 1. She will need to be every bit as good as her trainer thinks in order to beat Orne, who brings Group 2 placed form to the table following a good effort in Qatar, but I doubt that the 7lb the assessor believes the last-named horse is superior is in fact accurate.
NEWCASTLE
Race 2 No4 INISHERIN (Nap)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Tom Eaves
Shamardal colt INSHERIN was a 50-1 roughie when going close on his introduction at Newmarket last autumn. Beaten just half a length by Bellum Justin, he’s wintered well and can prove the answer to an interesting race, in which both First Alliance and Kalpana have similarly strong form, and will ensure the selection is tested.
Race 4 No4 SUNBLOCK
Trainer: George Boughey – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
SUNBLOCK carries a 6lb penalty for an engaging first triumph at Wolverhampton last week. In that first handicap assignment, the Too Darn Hot filly put previous form behind under a confident ride from Loughnane. The combination landed some good bets and can serve up a repeat.
Race 5 No7 MAGIC FLUKE
Trainer: Marco Botti – Jockey: Marco Ghiani
It’s hard to run your pen through the names of any of the field for this three-year-old only handicap, but the safest ploy could be to back MAGIC FLUKE. He started the 2024 campaign with a very good effort at Kempton to make it one success and three-placed runs since joining his trainer. He’s also struck up a good rapport with Ghiani, who has ridden the chestnut in two of his three visits to Gosforth Park.
