Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Brighton, Nottingham, Huntingdon and Hexham on 21 May 2024.
BRIGHTON
Race 2 No8 DANCING THE DREAM (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
Bated Breath filly DANCING THE DREAM is an interesting option for this low-grade handicap. She’s been well beaten in each of her three starts, latterly when a 125-1 shot at Kempton, but a return to turf under a jockey that’s ridden her twice on the track and regularly at home could bring with it some improvement.
Race 5 No1 THANKS DAD (Each Way)
Trainer: Scott Dixon – Jockey: Phil Dennis
THANKS DAD was denied by inches at Chelmsford after troubling the judge on debut at the same track and brings solid form to the table. He’s a rare runner here for his Yorkshire-based trainer, and if as good on grass can open his account.
Race 6 No10 KALAMA SUNRISE (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
KALAMA SUNRISE knocked on the door towards the end of her 2023 campaign, and though running for the first time since November should be sufficiently fit to give a good account under a rider who has wasted no time in putting his name back in the frame following a three year spell out of the sport.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 3 No8 BATTLE QUEEN (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Churchill filly BATTLE QUEEN has shown in both starts this year that she’s trained on, and after near misses at Lingfield and Southwell can now open her account on a first run on grass. She faces a well-related newcomer in Mutaawid, whose movement in the market will tell us what to expect from him.
Race 6 No5 GENTLE WHINNY (Each Way)
Trainer: Denis Coakley – Jockey: George Bass
GENTLE WHINNY lost her way last year after showing promise in her juvenile season. She will come on for her first run back and could get into the shake-up with the benefit of a first-time visor.
Race 7 No7 MORE THUNDER (Each Way)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Saffie Osborne
Osborne is making the most of the opportunity afforded her by Stoute, and on MORE THUNDER she can surprise a couple of previous winners in this mile-and-a-quarter novice. The selection attracted support, but was too green to do himself justice at Windsor. By troubling the judge he can demonstrate how much he’s learned from that experience.
HUNTINGDON
Race 1 No4 BILLAMS LEGACY
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Mr Tom Broughton
BILLAMS LEGACY has proved a perennial bridesmaid and finished second in each of her last five outings over hurdles. However, she is a winner under Rules, and appeals as a better value option than paper favourite Therapist.
Race 2 No4 MOSTLY SUNNY (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
MOSTLY SUNNY was a useful stayer on the Flat before moving to a top NH yard for whom he shaped well to finish second in a maiden hurdle at Southwell. The chestnut has learned plenty from that experience, and can go one better as the best bet on this card.
HEXHAM
Race 6 No7 WISE MOVE (Each Way)
Trainer: George Bewley – Jockey: Jonathon Bewley
WISE MOVE is an accomplished point-to-pointer who improved when switching stables in 2023 to win four times on the Irish circuit as well as finish second twice. He’s therefore something of a dark horse now running over hurdles, but in an open heat, he can get into the money.
Race 7 No3 HARTUR D’OUDAIRIES (Nap)
Trainer: Brian Ellison – Jockey: Craig Nichol
HARTUR D’OUDAIRIES thwarted a bang-in-form rival in Horn Cape over this course and distance to back up a near miss on previous start at Musselburgh. He’s improved from race to race since joining Ellison, for whom there should be more to come.
