Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Thirsk, Musselburgh, Worcester, Bath and Epsom Downs on 5 July 2023.
THIRSK
Race 5 No5 ONSLOW GARDENS
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Joe Fanning
ONSLOW GARDENS underwhelmed when beating only one home on his seasonal reappearance at Doncaster but could be worth another chance. His seconds at Newmarket and Ascot last year were particularly good efforts, and indicate the gelding could have a lot more to offer if a line is drawn through that latest run.
Race 7 No1 MR WAGYU (Nap)
Trainer: John Wuinn – Jockey: Jason Hart
MR WAGYU was all the rage the last time he competed at this level of the handicap band, but performed disappointingly. His previous earning run at Epsom was most encouraging, and the top weight is worth another chance in the easiest task he’s faced in 2023.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 4 No5 WAR DEFENDER (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Cam Hardie
While this stable hasn’t quite clicked into gear it could be worth a speculative wager on WAR DEFENDER who looks like a horse about to raise his game. A wide draw is not good news for the six-year-old, but should there be any support for him it could be worth heeding, as his latest offering at Southwell was not without promise.
WORCESTER
Race 2 No2 ABAYA DU MATHAN
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Jack Tudor
The Pipe stable fields a number of interesting runners at the meeting, including ABAYA DU MATHAN who is a horse you can’t kick out of the money. A captain of industry through the spring and early summer, he’s only once in ten 2023 outings failed to take away a cheque, and he looked as good as ever when smoothly converting at Ffos Las, from which he is strongly fancied to follow-up.
Race 4 No5 MR TAMBOURINE MAN (Each Way)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Jack Tudor
Although he’s carded to start the outsider in this field of seven, MR TAMBOURINE MAN shouldn’t be underestimated. A winner of two of his last five starts spread over 14 months, he’s coming back off a breathing operation today, which could make all the difference to him.
Race 5 No2 MYRISTICA (Nap)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Jack Tudor
MYRISTICA has been a prolific winner for Pond House Stables and is strongly fancied to complete a hat-trick. The mare made no mistake on her first outing over hurdles when coming home unchallenged, and although she was up against trees that day, it should have further bolstered her confidence level.
BATH
Race 3 No3 CORONATION COTTAGE (Each Way)
Trainer: Malcolm Saunders – Jockey: Gina Mangan
CORONATION COTTAGE ran like a mare on the cusp of a return to winning ways when beaten in a close photo under tonight’s pilot at Chepstow. She’s a triple scorer at this course and by going one better can add to her trainer’s very good record with sprinters here.
Race 6 No1 GEARING’S POINT (Nap)
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: Frederick Larson
GEARING’S POINT has done us a couple of favours and in current mood can repeat the compliment to complete a fine hat-trick. She is burdened with a 5lb penalty for her Leicester triumph last week, but I fancy her to carry on her winning streak.
EPSOM DOWNS
Race 1 No8 LUCKY’S DREAM (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Brookhouse – Jockey: Miss Fern O’Brien
LUCKY’S DREAM has earned in both starts since joining his rookie handler, and after being narrowly denied at Newbury is set to go be better. He has a favourable draw, and will receive good assistance from the saddle.
Race 3 No5 SOCIETY LION (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Dunlop – Jockey: Tom Marquand
SOCIETY LION has only once in five outings failed to bring home a cheque of some kind this season. A well-balanced individual, he should handle these unique undulations on a first visit to the track, and can parry the attentions of course specialist Indian Creak.
Race 4 No11 WOODSTOCK
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
From the perfect draw, WOODSTOCK can be made plenty of use of in the Class4 run round a steep downhill left-handed bend. Bold tactics served him well in two all-weather successes at the starts of the year, and he then found a mile stretching his stamina at Nottingham and Goodwood. He fared better over a slightly shorter journey when second at Ffos Las, and that most recent evidence suggests he has plenty in his favour here.
