Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing coming your way from Musselburgh, Stratford and Wincanton on 20 April 2024.
MUSSELBURGH
Race 3 No12 BLOODHOUND (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: Clifford Lee
BLOODHOUND is inexperienced and a horse with room for progression, which he will need to show if he’s to take this prize back to Lambourn. The grey has earned in only one of his four outings, but this is his first run in a handicap, draw 14 of 14 doesn’t make life easy but he should offer some value against more obvious contenders such as Ahamoment and Pallas Lord.
Race 4 No9 DARK JEDI (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Duran Fentiman
DARK JEDI was unable to add to his laurels when going through 2023 with figures of 0-13, but there was evidence in his earning comeback run at Thirsk that the gelding can score an overdue triumph. He’s going to enjoy this testing terrain, and should be straighter for that recent spin.
Race 5 No7 INDIVIDUALISM (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Joe Fanning
Too Darn Hot colt INDIVIDUALISM troubled the judge in three of four starts as a juvenile when he was weak and far from the finished article. This towering galloper appeared to lack a change of gear needed to get the job done, but he’s really strengthened up through the winter and this is the right time to catch him.
STRATFORD
Race 3 No4 MIGHTY MOTH (Nap)
Trainer: Noel Williams – Jockey: Robbie Dunne
MIGHTY MOTH hardly needed to break sweat when gaining a first success under Rules at Hereford. She enters the handicap arena taking on her own sex, of whom Easy Peasy rates a dangerous foe, but my selection ran in some very good bumpers before going hurdling, and should have more to offer.
Race 4 No6 LIGHTONTHEWING
Trainer: Sue Gardner -Jockey: James Turner
LIGHTONTHEWING ran into one when trying to complete a hat-trick at Fontwell, and is fancied to bounce back for a yard doing well with its handicap chasers. His conditional rider has won on him, and knows how to get the best out of him.
WINCANTON
Race 2 No9 KATATE DORI (Each Way)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
KATATE DORI has frustrated on a couple of occasions this season, but has always promised to find his niche in handicaps. In first-time cheek pieces, I think he will prove hard to beat getting 13 lb from the classy Irish Hill.
Race 5 No5 ALMAZHAR GARDE
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
Bold frontrunner ALMAZHAR GARDE is 26 lb lower than for his latest success gained exactly three years ago. What’s interesting about him is how he’s bounced back to post a couple of recent near misses and in current mood he’s capable of bossing this race from start to finish.
Race 7 No1 CELTIC DINO (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
CELTIC DINO has missed a couple of recent engagements which was very frustrating when what looked a penalty kick at Chepstow was abandoned. Now he’s up against the unbeaten Jackpot Des Bordes, but should outpoint that foe to confirm himself as one of the best hound prospects in the Thomas stable.
