Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Bath, Thirsk, Ffos Las and Yarmouth on 17 July 2024.
BATH
Race 2 No5 TWILIGHT BALLET (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
TWILIGHT BALLET went down in a tight finish with Alashos at Lingfield and his connections have resisted switching his attention to nurseries. That augurs well for his chances in this maiden in which he can outpoint Nala Star.
Race 3 No1 CARMARTHEN
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
CARMARTHEN did us a good turn when scoring at Wolverhampton, where in spite of a market drift she stayed on best to resist Evoluir. Back on turf and under a 6lb penalty the daughter of Havana Gold can make the best of a favourable draw and follow-up.
Race 5 No11 MISS GITANA
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Shane Kelly
Nathaniel filly MISS GITANA carried our money when opening her account by a whisker at Doncaster, and that success has given her a timely confidence boost. Furthermore, she drops from a Class5 into a Class6 over the same trip, with another earning run looking assured.
Race 6 No10 ELFORLEATHER (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: David Probert
ELFORLEATHER coped with a step up to a mile and three-quarters when third at Thirsk but looked to be running out of puff at the finish. It may therefore be a smart move by Channon to pull the gelding back in distance here, and he should again get into the shake-up.
THIRSK
Race 4 No3 TEN POUNDS (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Charlton – Jockey: Callus Rodriguez
Rodriguez is often the go-to jockey for southern trainers that send their horses North, and he appears to have found a potential winner in TEN POUNDS, who was impressive when landing some good bets at Newcastle. The selection had also run well when in the money on his first run at Newbury, and won’t mind switching back to turf in a match-up with fellow penalised winners Bobby Benno and Germanic.
Race 5 No11 STREAK LIGHTNING (Each Way)
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Joanna Mason
STREAK LIGHTNING is well drawn for the 1400 metres Class4 and can gain due reward for a string of solid earning runs. The flashy chestnut can end a long losing run going back to March of 2023 on what is only a fourth outing on turf since then.
FFOS LAS
Race 6 No4 ADRIAN (Each Way)
Trainer: Bernard Llewellyn – Jockey: Jason Watson
ADRIAN could be a bet worth waiting for a this largely uncompetitive meeting. His race is the only one with a double-figure field, and the former French-trained grey can end a long wait for a first career win after picking up minor cheques on his last three starts.
YARMOUTH
Race 1 No7 ARKHALIA FLYNN
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
ARKHALIA FLYNN has improved from race to race this season and responded well to Bass’s urging to get home in a tight finish at Haydock. He’s undoubtedly benefitted from being equipped with a hood, and in this better race can find the necessary progression to follow up.
Race 3 No7 MARCUS (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Wallis – Jockey: Rhys Clutterbuck
This presents a good opening for the consistent MARCUS to put his best foot forward. Interestingly the gelding has troubled the judge on all three starts since his trainer added a hood and latterly cheek pieces, and that progression can continue in a weak race.
Race 4 No6 FINE INTERVIEW
Trainer: H Al Jehani – Jockey: James Doyle
FINE INTERVIEW was snapped up by Wathnan Racing after chasing home Son Of Man on his introduction here last autumn. The grey brings the best form to the table and in what could be a two-horse war can outpoint Pipes And Drums.
