Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing at Newcastle, Ludlow, Market Rasen and Wincanton.
Newcastle Best Bet
Race 6: MESHARDAL (12) (Each Way)
Trainer: Ruth Carr
Jockey: S James
MESHARDAL looked like a horse on the cusp of a return to winning ways when only grabbed inside the final furlong on his latest visit to this course last week. The 10yo is overdue and his shrewd trainer appears to have him close to being back on song 8n a race in which he should earn.
Race 7: KLOPP (5)
Trainer: Anthony Brittain
Jockey: Cam Hardie
The door can finally open for KLOPP in this concluding sprint handicap. He’s frustrated his followers with near misses on his last three starts, latterly at Wolverhampton on Monday. He did everything right on that occasion only to be caught close home, but compensation might well await.
Ludlow Best Bets
Race 1: MOON OF BARODA (5)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison
Jockey: Tom O’Brien
From a stable that’s going great guns with its small team of jumpers, MOON OF BARODA fits the bill as the answer to this first division of the novice hurdle. There was no confidence behind him on his debut here in November, but he shaped like a sure fire future winner and will know more of what’s required this time.
Race 2: ALLART (2)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson –
Jockey: Nico de Boinville
ALLART started 13-8 on his Ascot comeback only to crash out at the first. He’s been given plenty of time to get over that spill and after extensive schooling is ready to show his true ability under a more controlled passage.
Race 5: SUBWAY SURF (6)
Trainer: Kim Bailey
Jockey: Ned Curtis
There bets that went west on SUBWAY SURF at this track last month can now be redeemed with interest on the super consistent mare. She ran into the improving Getaway Totherock that day but with this extra yardage sure to suit her, the 6yo can go one better.
Race 7: ONE TRUE KING (5)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey: J Nailor
Former point-to-pointer ONE TRUE KING excelled in winning his maiden at Barbury Castle before Christmas and can make a successful debut under Rules for an outfit that has done well with this sort of individual in the past.
Market Rasen Best Bet
Race 1: FIX SUN (2)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Daryl Jacob
Returning from an eight month absence, FIX SUN will be hard to beat in this opening novices’ hurdle and can prove too good for Baron De Middleton. He will need to be on his A-game to prevail, as Baron De Middleton has the best form. However, the selection holds bundles of scope for improvement and his stable is really finding its feet.
Race 5: HOLLYMOUNT HOLLY (2)
Trainer: Kim Bailey
Jockey: David Bass
Exciting prospect HOLLYMOUNT HOLLY can take this mares’ bumper in her stride and complete a hat-trick on the way to better things. She hasn’t put a foot wrong in two outings so far, and after injecting some pace into the contest turning for home came unchallenged from Misstree Song at Hereford last month. She’s penalized for that triumph but should have too many guns for her foes, a couple of whom need to bounce back from recent defeats.
Wincanton Best Bets
Race 6: CONINGSBY (1) (Each Way)
Trainer: Tom Lacey
Jockey: Robbie Power
CONINGSBY hasn’t enjoyed the rub of the green in his two outings so far this season and only got as far as the first after being nibbled at in the betting in a warm heat at Ascot back in November. However, his trainer is enjoying a nice run of form and the unexposed 7yo can bustle up some in form rivals using his staying power as the trump card.
