Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Lingfield Park, Salisbury, Warwick and Chelmsford City on 5 October 2023.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 3 No12 SWEET SISTER (Each Way)
Trainer: Denis Coakley – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
It’s been a tough season for Coakley but his filly SWEET SISTER might get into the shake-up from a good draw in this novice. The daughter of Iffraaj will know more with the benefit of a run at Salisbury behind her, while it’s interesting that the trainer has booked former champion Murphy for the mount.
Race 4 No3 TROPICAL AIR (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: Jack Mitchell
TROPICAL AIR completed a rapid-fire hat-trick on Monday and can extend his sequence under a double penalty. He landed some good bets in decisive fashion in that Newcastle race, and makes the long journey from North Yorkshire unbeaten on the all-weather.
Race 6 No5 ISLAND NATIVE (Each Way)
Trainer: Heather Main – Jockey: Luke Morris
With a second at Wolverhampton last time the grey ISLAND NATIVE hinted that he will soon open his account. He was only narrowly denied after attracting support, and from that career best run can open his account.
SALISBURY
Race 2 No1 CHEQUERS COURT (Nap)
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Pat Dobbs
CHEQUERS COURT looks the logical play in this second division of the novice. The Belardo colt claimed a minor cheque in a Newbury maiden that has worked out incredibly well, before being beaten the width of a well smoked cigarette at Ffos Las. His conqueror that day, Burdett, ran well in defeat at Haydock where he might have won granted better ground. Furthermore he should enjoy the step up to a mile.
Race 4 No9 INDELIBLE
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
The ones that have run contesting this seven furlongs novice haven’t shown much, leaving the door ajar for INDELIBLE to live up to her star billing. Much is expected of the Shamardal filly who is out of champion race mare Midday. She’s shown promise at home, and if holding strong in the betting should go in at the first time of asking.
Race 6 No13 TIRIAC
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: James Doyle
Few horses have held their condition as much as TIRIAC whose coat is shiny and dappled. The former smart juvenile indicated he was on the verge of a return to the winner’s circle when second at Goodwood. He will handle any cut in the ground and enjoys the benefit of a top jockey on his back riding close to his lightest.
WARWICK
Race 1 No12 SELKIRK GRACE (Each Way)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: David Bass
Cityscape filly SELKIRK GRACE is a galloper but has ability, shown on her final start last season when placed in a Southwell bumper. This track should play to her strengths, and she has scope for progress now facing hurdles over which she has schooled satisfactorily at home.
Race 3 No8 VALENTINO DANCER
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Paddy Brennan
The O’Brien/Brennan combo has made its customary strong start to the season, with VALENTINO DANCER contributing with a deserved first success over fences at Newton Abbot from which he can take another step forward.
Race 5 No1 INCH HOUSE (Nap)
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Richie McLernon
INCH HOUSE is a fascinating prospect tackling fences after just three outings over hurdles. He showed a liking for cut in the ground when scoring at Chepstow, and though conditions dried up a tad on Tuesday the terrain should still prove suitable for the top weight to deliver on this seasonal return.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 1 No5 JUST RITA
Trainer: Marco Botti – Jockey: Ben Curtis
JUST RITA is among a handful in this first division of the novice with earning form next to her name. The daughter of Bated Breath did nothing wrong when chasing home Allen Power over this course and distance and with a top northern jockey in her saddle can go one better.
Race 2 No4 SOVEREIGN QUEEN
Trainer: Kevin Ryan – Jockey: Tom Eaves
SOVEREIGN QUEEN is a pea out of the same pod. Having progressed from a clueless first run at Haydock she ran Mr Monaco to half a length at Leicester, and is expected to enjoy a switch to Polytrack, with the soft c9nditions against her on turf.
Race 7 No1 PHOENIX GLOW (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
PHOENIX GLOW had to skip an engagement at Brighton last week owing to late softening of the ground. It looked a very good opportunity but her trainer might well have found another as she returns to Polytrack. Bass has a good record on the selection and the combination will be hard to beat.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 3-9)
2 x 6, 2, 1 x 4, 10, 8 x 1, 3 x 1, 2 x 6, 5 x 8, 7
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