Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips from Sunday’s racing coming your way from Kelso and Southwell
KELSO
Race 3 No1 SOFT RISK (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Brian Hughes
It’s been a while since Richards has had a real top class horse in his Greystoke yard, but SOFT RISK could be something special, and the one he’s waited for to fill the void. The May Risk gelding has been enormously impressive in his races over hurdles at Ayr and over this course and distance, and can now successfully give away 5lb to Believe Jack to show that he’s a worthy contender for top honours at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals.
Race 4 No1 ELVIS MAIL
Trainer: Nick Alexander – Jockey: Bruce Lynn
Lack of fitness has probably affected ELVIS MAIL in his two starts over fences and hurdles this season. Importantly he now takes a step down the class ladder, and can raise his game to give paper favourite Word Has It plenty to think about.
Race 5 No2 MISTER WHITAKER
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
Former Cheltenham Festival scorer MISTER WHITAKER returns to fences in this Chairman’s Cup after being campaigned in novice hurdles since joining his trainer from the Sales. The ten-year-old is having his first outing after wind surgery, and if everything clicks can take out a tricky heat in which none of the four runners can be safely ruled out.
SOUTHWELL
Race 3 No4 DUCAL CROWN (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
DUCAL CROWN found the penny dropping too late in the game, yet still managed to trouble the judge on her Kempton introduction last month. The daughter of Duke Of Marmalade represents an outfit that have been red hot on sand this winter, and if making normal progression should go very close.
Race 4 No3 KISSININTHEBACKROW
Trainer: Brian Meehan – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
Sixties Icon filly KISSININTHEBACKROW upped her game to claim a cheque when a 66-1 roughie at Kempton on her all-weather debut. That was a huge step up from her only previous outing on turf, and forms a good platform for her to progress further.
Race 5 No7 THAAYER
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
From a mark 1lb below that off which he last won, THAAYER takes the eye in this race over almost a lap of the racecourse. The seven-year-old looked on the way back when putting in earning runs here and at Newcastle over the holiday period and from a plum draw four off the rail can obtain a good stalking position from which to strike in the home straight.
