Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, Ludlow, Sedgefiled and Chelmsford City on 9 November 2023.
NEWBURY
Race 2 No11 WILLMOUNT (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
WILLMOUNT is a dual bumper winner, unbeaten, and making his debut at his trainer’s local track with a big reputation on his head. He’s done everyth8ng right in his preparation at Seven Barrows and should take the spoils on the way to better things.
Race 3 No9 COME ON GRUFF (Each Way)
Trainer: Henry Oliver – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
COME ON GRUFF is a horse I’ve been looking forward to following when switched to fences, as he is for this novices’ limited handicap chase. The seven-year-old faces strong opposition from impressive Ludlow scorer Neon Moon, but on his first outing for Oliver needs respecting. His second to Judicial Law at Worcester in May has been well advertised by the winner, while with so few miles on his racing clock he should have more to offer.
Race 4 No4 BREAK MY SOUL
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Irish point winner BREAK MY SOUL cost a king’s ransom before delivery to Henderson and is a distaffer the trainer can do well with. She’s ready to deliver on this debut under Rules, and is one of the bigger guns from the novice ranks of her powerful stable.
Race 5 No2 OUR POWER (Each Way)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Adam Wedge
OUR POWER is amongst a group of horses reappearing to go on trial for the Coral Gold Cup back here early next month. He rewarded us with two high profile successes last winter before failing to get the trip in the Randox Health Grand National. Thomas has his horses well forward, and the eight-year-old can take away a cheque, although both Equinus and Bold Endeavour need to be included in all exotic wagering on the contest.
LUDLOW
Race 1 No2 MIDNIGHTREFLECTION (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Mr Charlie Case
MIDNIGHTREFLECTION ran well until unseating her pilot on seasonal return at Chepstow. She could enjoy an easy lead in this amateur jockeys’ handicap hurdle, and stave off the attentions of local hope Regal Renaissance who is worth a saver.
Race 3 No1 TIGHTENOURBELTS (Nap)
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
Of all the horses in Lavelle’s Stable TIGHTENOURBELTS is one that could aspire to high honours over fences. The strong traveller ran a couple of massive races in defeat before opening his account here in late March, and in this novices’ handicap chase is ready to show what he can do against Washington and Jubilee Express. He is the best bet on a very interesting day, and definitely a horse to follow.
Race 4 No9 STRONG BELLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Several take the eye in this mares’ maiden hurdle, but for value STRONG BELLE looks the way to go. The grey shaped with abundant promise when second on her hurdling introduction at Huntington and has learned plenty from that exercise.
SEDGEFIELD
Race 2 No4 LANGTON WOLD (Nap)
Trainer: Brian Ellison – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
LANGTON WOLD put in a pleasing first effort over hurdles when narrowly beaten over this course and distance. The former Flat winner got the trip well and a repeat of the run should see him safe home, with Jacob an eye taking book for the gelding.
Race 7 No6 SOLWAY MOLLY
Trainer: Miss L Harrison – Jockey: Conor Rabbitt
SOLWAY MOLLY has done enough in her last two starts to rate the one to beat in this mares’ handicap hurdle. She was only denied in the final strides at Carlisle and off a 3lb higher mark should prove to be very competitive.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 6 No4 BELIEVE IN STARS (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
BELIEVE IN STARS makes his handicap entrance off a mark of 94 following a ready success at Goodwood in late September. The Make Believe gelding was strongly fancied for a race at York only to be scratched owing to unsuitable ground. He’s trained well on a Polytrack surface at home, and is the outstanding bet on a tricky card for wagering.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)
5, 4 x 1, 10 x 3, 6, 4 x 4, 5 x 4 x 5, 1, 10 x 3, 7
R144
