Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing taking place at Wetherby, Bath, Kempton Park, and Nottingham!
WETHERBY
Race 4: No8 – MARTINHAL (Nap)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Tom Scudamore
Pipe is unleashing some of his best novices this week and MARTINHAL is a name to conjure with, defending a one race unbeaten record for his trainer. That came in a Huntingdon bumper where he greatly impressed in drawing clear of Gumbo Flyer. The Westerner gelding jumps well and has done plenty of work ahead of this seasonal reappearance.
Race 8: No4 – OAKLEY
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Richard Johnson
This trainer must always be respected with his runners here and in OAKLEY he has a horse that should more than pay his way as the season progresses. The seven-year-old was highly tried throughout last season, placing in the Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot and a valuable race at Cheltenham before Christmas. He was only just out of the money in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury and his mid-division finish in the County Hurdle was no disgrace. He won’t lack for fitness on this seasonal return.
BATH
Race 4: No2 – HEREBY (Each Way)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Harry Bentley
At a likely double-figure price HEREBY looks a value option in this Listed feature for staying fillies and mares. A multiple scorer last summer and autumn, she’s run well in each of her three starts this season and seems to have retained her ability. The easy conditions won’t hold any perils for her, and she can give likely market leader Vivionn plenty to think about.
Race 5: No11 – SINGLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: George Bass
SINGLE travelled much the best on her latest start at Pontefract but did too much running close to the pace with daylight, and had little left for the climb to the finishing line. Her pilot will try to have her further back in this bigger field and thread his way through up the final straight. She’s a consistent performer and should once again be in the money.
Race 7: No3 – TOMORROW MYSTERY (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Megan Nicholls
TOMORROW MYSTERY is a fascinating contender for this staying handicap, representing a stable that have been shelling out winners in the jumping arena. The Nathaniel mare has excelled since her switch to Ditcheat, earning in each of five outings over hurdles. She now returns following a 500-day absence but is considered spot on for a first run on the Flat in three years.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 1: No8 – TWILIGHTING (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Candy – Jockey: Dane O’Neill
Course winner TWILIGHTING might well have needed her race at Nottingham last week which came after a four-month absence. Both her career wins have happened on the all-weather, and this looks a good opportunity for the mare, getting weight from each of her rivals.
Race 5: No3 – STATE OCCASION
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Unbeaten Tornadic and three-from-four scorer Miami Joy will attract the welter of the betting handle on this nursery, leaving the value option as STATE OCCASION. This filly is on a recovery mission after being rolled as an 8-15 shot at Wolverhampton but is fancied to bounce back and open her account.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 2: No10 – WOOTTON CREEK (Nap)
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: William Buick
WOOTTON CREEK came back strongly from a three-month break to chase home Saffron Beach in a big field of maidens at Newmarket. That form has a pleasing ring to it, and if matched or bettered should afford her the chance of beating Noon Star, who herself showed promise when in the money on debut at Salisbury.
Race 6: No2 – MOSS GILL
Trainer: James Bethell – Jockey: PJ McDonald
MOSS GILL is one of those sprinters that falls just short of being a Group horse, though he ran the race of his life to finish third to Battaash in the Nunthorpe (Group 1) at York before finding a Listed race at Doncaster coming too quickly. Back from a month off he can step up to the plate and take out this featured Rous Stakes, which also has Listed status.
