Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Tuesday 19 March 2024

EXETER

Race 1 No2 LONGSHANKS
Trainer: Kayley Woollacott- Jockey: Mr Callum Pritchard

Woollacott fires a twin attack on this long-distance handicap hurdle but LONGSHANKS can prove her ace card with preference over Stratton Oakmont. The selection went up 2lb for finishing second over this course and distance a month ago but was up against a well-treated rival in Striking A Pose. It was also just his third outing for this stable, and easily his best offering.

Race 2 No1 KING OF THE LAKE
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Rex Dingle

Scott sent out the most popular of winners with Golden Ace at Cheltenham last week and is now back at his local course with a big chance of success through KING OF THE LAKE. The six-year-old has finished second in four of his last five races but now returns from a short break following wind surgery. If it has assisted his breathing he can end his frustrating run on near misses.

Race 3 No4 COME ON TEDDY (Nap)
Trainer: Tom George – Jockey: Jonathan Burke

COME ON TEDDY looked dangerous only to get stuck in the mud at Doncaster last month but nevertheless kept on well to chase home Johnson’s Blue. It was a first glimmer of form from the veteran since he went back hurdling, and suggests there is still a tune to be played from him.

Race 5 No5 LIGHTONTHEWING
Trainer: Sue Gardner – Jockey: Ellis Collier

LIGHTONTHEWING doesn’t do consistency, yet his gritty Wincanton success could have teed him up for further overdue success from a stable that’s doing particularly well with its handicap hurdlers. The course winner is probably on a very workable mark, and has his burden eased by the 7lb claim of his capable rider.

WETHERBY

Race 4 No1 TOP OF THE BILL (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor

After doing us back-to-back favours at Exeter, TOP OF THE BILL underwhelmed in heavy ground at the Haldon course last time. He now switches to a left-handed track, where his tendency to jump to the left can assist his cause. His jockey is buoyant following his biggest career success in the Midlands National, and the combination are strongly fancied to regain the winning thread.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 1 No1 ALSHIMALI (Each Way)
Trainer: Marcus Tregoning – Jockey: Dougie Costello

Although his claims are not as obvious as some in this novice, ALSHIMALI could have more to offer after his winter off. It was only minor promise he showed on debut at Lingfield but he’s a beautifully bred individual who can enter calculations if market leaders Lady Of Spain and King’s Coronation fail to fire.

Race 3 No7 MARMADUKE LEMON (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Pierre-Louis Jamin

As the only winner in the field, the well-drawn Arcturian is entitled to respect, but MARMADUKE LEMON has valid claims in his own right after troubling the judge at this course and Newcastle this year. The Sioux Nation gelding failed to justify strong support last time but can show those losses to be merely lent.

Race 5 No6 OUTREACH (Each Way)
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: George Bass

OUTREACH has good form to his name round here, numbering a sole success encircled by six placings from his other eight visits. He wasn’t beaten far on his latest start, and if enjoying the rub of the green should get into the shake-up.

Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)

1, 6 x 3, 2 x 7 x 6, 7, 4 x 6, 4, 3 x 7, 2, 8 x 6, 1

R216