Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Plumpton, Wincanton and Southwell on 21 March 2022.
PLUMPTON
Race 5 No3 TZAR DE L’ELFE
Trainer: Richard Rowe – Jockey: Niall Houlihan
Several in this long-distance handicap chase are badly out of form, but the one that can improve is TZAR DE L’ELFE who has been parsimoniously campaigned over the last couple of seasons. Even though his recent run here has been devalued, he had a good blow afterwards and should be fitter. Furthermore he knows the track like the back of his own hooves, and should offer up value against paper favourite Call Off The Dogs.
Race 6 No2 SWORD BEACH (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
A dual scorer on the Flat before being moved to the King stable, SEORD BEACH has shown promise on the way to earning a handicap mark. Though beaten an aggregate of 78 lengths in his three hurdles starts he can show that he’s got into this off a lenient mark.
WINCANTON
Race 1 No4 EROS
Trainer: Kayley Woollacott – Jockey: Ben Godfrey
EROS jumped beautifully only to be outgunned on the Wincanton run in by Alberic. It was his fifth earning run from six outings over fences this season, and the first in which a tongue tie was added. The eight-year-old will not meet such a well-handicapped opponent this time, and can open his account.
Race 4 No8 NAME IN LIGHTS (Nap)
Trainer: Colin Tizzard – Jockey: Brandon Powell
NAME IN NIGHTS looked in charge of a novice hurdle here before being grabbed by stablemate Harlem Soul. He’s getting better with each visit to the racecourse, and should now be cherry ripe to deliver, probably at the expense of Petrossian.
Race 5 No3 BRIANSTORM
Trainer: Venetia Williams – Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
As long as the ground doesn’t dry up too much BRIANSTORM can step up on his encouraging Market Rasen effort to chase home Guetepan Collonges. He doesn’t take much racing these days, but has plenty of ability and can post a first win since joining his trainer.
SOUTHWELL
Race 2 No4 CLEAR THE RUNWAY (Nap)
Trainer: Laura Morgan – Jockey: Adam Wedge
CLEAR THE RUNWAY is a winner without a penalty following an unlucky defeat at Musselburgh when a bad mistake two out impaired his momentum. The six-year-old rallied but needed another stride to catch Izzy’s Champion. This strong traveller has scored easily on his 9lb other outing over fences, and should have plenty more to offer.
Race 5 No2 BOOMBAWN
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
BOOMBAWN has easily the best form in this race courtesy of a nine lengths third behind Jonbon in a Newbury maiden hurdle back in November. He ran another fine race when beaten by Call Of The Wild at Doncaster, and looks to have been found a perfect opportunity to open his account.
