Neil Morrice Best Bets And Tips – Tuesday 9 May 2023

FFOS LAS

Race 1 No1 MANORBANK
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy

MANORBANK ended the season with a stylish success at Chepstow, since when his yard has run into form. The eight-year-old looked good but that triumph and can defy a penalty on the way to better things.

Race 6 No6 BACK YOURSELF (Nap)
Trainer: Victor Dartnall – Jockey: Alan Johns

BACK YOURSELF jumps off the page in this handicap hurdle having shown ability on both starts for his trainer since relocating from Ireland. The form of the contests he was placed in have worked out, and with so few miles on the clock he could have a lot more to offer.

LINGFIELD PARK

Race 2 No8 GEARING’S POINT (Each Way)
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: George Bass

GEARING’S POINT will start amongst the roughies in this but if ridden by an apprentice who knows her from her days with a previous trainer. She didn’t show much in six outings on the all-weather and turf, but has benefitted from a change of scenery, and can up her game.

Race 6 No11 EXPERT WITNESS (Each Way)
Trainer: Sir Mark Todd – Jockey: George Rooke

This stable is quietly knocking in the winners and in EXPERT WITNESS has one to monitor closely in the betting market. The daughter of Expert Eye wasn’t beaten far when just out of the money here last month, and should benefit from the step up to a mile to take away a cheque of some form.

FAKENHAM

Race 5 No7 MIDNIGHT MARY (Nap)
Trainer: Lucy Wadham – Jockey: Bryony Frost

MIDNIGHT MARY has two hurdling successes on her CV here, and after going 1222 since her switch to fences has to be taken seriously in this Norfolk National, the longest race run at Fakenham but one in which she will relish every yard of the near four mile distance.

Race 6 No3 FIDDLER OF DOONEY
Trainer: Mrs J Owen – Jockey: Mr James King

Ex Irish FIDDLER OF DOONEY has run well to a point in both outings under Rules but has a good chance of bettering those placed efforts with a new pilot in the saddle. He is good value, and can make the difference to the Yeats gelding.

LUDLOW

Race 2 No5 MANIMOLE (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Finn Lambert

MANIMOLE put in a career best when beaten two and a half lengths into third by Minelladestination at Stratford last time, a run that signalled the mare is close to opening her account, and a return to maiden company here should not in any way hinder her cause. She can take the spoils at the main expense of Ooh Betty.

Race 4 No7 BRIANSTORM (Each Way)
Trainer: Venetia Williams – Jockey: Ned Fox

BRIANSTORM is a veteran that’s had two wind operations and only one racecourse outing in more than a year. He therefore comes with risks attached, but when fourth to Flying Verse at Doncaster in March ran better than the 17 lengths defeat indicates, and is worth supporting to post a minor upset.

Race 5 No11 CABRAKAN
Trainer: Milton Harris – Jockey: Harry Cobden

Paper favourite Kincardine would be an appropriate scorer in the colours of The King, but while he looked a new broom winning after a wind op and with first time blinkers at Exeter, I think CABRAKAN might prove a thorn in his side. The latter has figures of 21213 as a jumper, and though well beaten on the Flat at Bath last month that was designed to blow away the cobwebs after his mid season break.

NEWCASTLE

Race 2 No7 CRYSTAL MARINER (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote

CRYSTAL MARINER should have learned plenty from his earning introduction on soft ground at Pontefract where the chestnut displayed signs of greenness. He’s by Sea The Stars out of a mare who had issues which prevented her realising her potential, and has trained well on an artificial surface at home.

Race 4 No1 PROJECT BLACK
Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan

PROJECT BLACK attracted plenty of support only to run a stinker on his return to action at Pontefract. He seemed to hate the easy conditions encountered that day, and is worth another chance back at the scene of his narrow defeat on final start of 2022.