Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Bath, Ayr, Sedgefield and Newcastle on 1 October 2024.
BATH
Race 2 No8 DESERT FOOTSTEPS (Nap)
Trainer: Marcus Tregoning – Rossa Ryan
DESERT FOOTSTEPS was in control from a long way out when getting off the mark at Chepstow and in the colours of Derby winner Sir Percy can consolidate in this 1st division of the mile handicap. The Footstepsinthesand filly embarks on just a fifth career start, will revel in the testing conditions and should prove hard to beat.
Race 4 No4 DISTANT MEMORY (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Tom Marquand
Newbury winner Hopewell Rock sets the standard in a race for future stayers but as a value alternative, I will put up DISTANT MEMORY. From the first crop of French star Sottsass, the colt has shown promise in his preparatory work for this and could surprise the penalised favourite.
Race 5 No11 SUBSONICTOSHANNON (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
This is a wide-open nursery in which SUBSONICTOSHANNON is speculative advice for a small investment. The Invincible Spirit filly is better than she showed when an 80-1 roughie at this course last month when in fairness to her she was only beaten five lengths by the winner Miss Show Down.
Race 6 No4 SARAH’S VERSE (Each Way)
Trainer: Ron Harris – Jockey: David Probert
SARAH’S VERSE has been re-routed here from waterlogged Windsor on Monday. The mare has a habit of finding trouble but appeals as a betting opportunity at her forecast price. She was especially unlucky in running at Ascot earlier in the year and wasn’t beaten far on her latest start at Bath where she again failed to get a clear shot at goal.
Race 7 No11 FISHERMANS COTTAGE (Each Way)
Trainer: Malcolm Saunders – Jockey: Charlie Bennett
Runners from the Saunders stable always deserve a second look and this applies to FISHERMANS COTTAGE who engages in a sixth successive visit to the Avon track. There were clear signs of improvement when he claimed a minor cheque last month, and with a little more progression, this lightly-raced five-year-old can outperform his price.
Race 8 No11 MILVUS (Each Way)
Trainer: Denis Coakley – Jockey: George Bass
MILVUS has knocked on the door with a string of earning efforts but needs to show he’s as effective on a soft surface. If that’s the case he has strong claims, as he goes particularly well for his apprentice pilot.
AYR
Race 3 No1 POL ROGER (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Connor Beasley
POL ROGER was a dual scorer here as well as finishing second on three occasions earlier in the season, and needs no introduction to the track. He was unable to handle a step into Class2 level last time but is now back in his comfort zone and needs respecting as he attempts to bounce back.
Race 6 No6 ACT OF VIOLENCE
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan
ACT OF VIOLENCE has a perfect pedigree for sprinting, being by the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winning sire Outstrip out of a mare by Paco Boy. He made a well-backed rival fight for the spoils at Redcar to show that he’s capable of cutting the mustard at the Class4 handicap band, and can thwart the in form Muscika.
SEDGEFIELD
Race 1 No2 FOSTER’S FORTUNE (Nap)
Trainer: Chris Grant – Jockey: Conor Rabbit
FOSTER’S FORTUNE posted an 18-1 shock but was an impressive scorer on his first visit to this course on a first run in a handicap back in May. Back from a break and with an accomplished conditional in his saddle he can pick up from where he left off.
Race 5 No4 CHASE A FORTUNE
Trainer: Chris Grant – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
CHASE A FORTUNE delivered on his first run over fences at Catterick on soft ground last winter, and although unable to add to his laurels in a spring and summer campaign put in a couple of solid efforts in defeat. He’s a fine stamp of horse who is ready for this first run on the season and should enjoy the conditions.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No2 MR STRUTTER (Each Way)
Trainer: David Thompson – Jockey: Andrew Elliott
MR STRUTTER has plenty of experience of this course although he’s having a belated first run on the all-weather of the current campaign. The veteran claimed a cheque on his latest start on turf and can again get into the shake-up, with the cheek pieces he wore last time now dispensed with.
Race 6 No4 SOUL SINGER (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
SOUL SINGER raised his game to notch a first-career success at Musselburgh and on only a third outing of the season has solid claims to follow up. He posted one of his best efforts when narrowly beaten over this course and distance back in March.
