Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips from Thursday’s racing coming your way from Ludlow, Wincanton and Newcastle
LUDLOW
Race 1 No1 THE TOOJUMPA
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Liam Harrison
With good assistance from the saddle, THE TOOJUMPA should be hard to beat in this conditional jockeys’ handicap chase. In only four starts for O’Brien the mare could easily have been unbeaten, but after scoring at Worcester she unseated twice, and in a foggy panorama at Wetherby lost out by just half a length to the useful Top And Drop. Granted a clear round, she can prevail.
Race 2 No1 ZACONY REBEL
Trainer: Toby Lawes – Jockey: Tom Cannon
This novices’ hurdle can fall to the only winner in the field, ZACONY REBEL. The selection is penalised for his commanding Fontwell triumph from the autumn, and has subsequently been beaten into second at Huntingdon. He’s reported fresh and firing from a six week break, and can take the measure of Kobra, for whom a market check is recommended.
Race 3 No1 BLACKCAUSEWAY
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
This is a more competitive heat, but BLACKCAUSEWAY could be the answer after giving out good signals ahead of this debut for connections. One from one in point-to-points, he can prove a match for Mumbo Jumbo and Hometown Hero with that trio likely to dominate.
Race 6 No2 NOT THAT FUISSE (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Mr T Durrell
The first British hunter chase of the new season can fall to NOT THAT FUISSE. The nine-year-old is young enough to go a long way in this new area of the jumping spectrum, and has been a marvellous servant to his connections. Aside from once falling and once pulling up, he’s only missed the frame in four of 23 outings over the past five seasons. On a first visit to Ludlow, he can give short shrift to his foes.
WINCANTON
Race 1 No2 DUKE OF ROCKINGHAM (Nap)
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Aidan Coleman
DUKE OF ROCKINGHAM looked a bit unlucky not to deliver at Lingfield and has skipped a couple of opportunities owing to unsuitable ground. The Uttoxeter bumper scorer got going all too late on that jumps debut but is going to be more streetwise in a race where Name In Lights looks the only danger.
Race 6 No3 DESTINEE ROYALE
Trainer: Venetia Williams – Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
The featured Somerset National can go to DESTINEE ROYALE, whose trainer is sending out her usual high quota of chase scorers while the mud is flying. The selection was in the process of running a cracker and looked to be in control when falling at the fence at the top of the hill at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. Reported none the worse for that spill, as an unexposed nine-year-old she has plenty going for her.
NEWCASTLE
Race 4 No5 SAULIRE STAR
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Duran Fentiman
SAULIRE STAR doesn’t do anything in a hurry, but off a pleasing first run for her new trainer the four-year-old can now put her head in front. Her frame finish on debut for Easterby at this course can be improved on as he pulls her back from a mile and a quarter to a mile.
Race 6 No3 FIREBOMB (Nap)
Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: Gianluca Sanna
FIREBOMB may have taken a while to get his head in front, but the gelding’s Southwell triumph before Christmas should act as a confidence boost as he continues down the all-weather handicap route. He’s a speedy individual of the like his trainer has excelled with over the years.
Race 7 No6 SWINTON (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: PJ McDonald
Lope De Vega gelding SWINTON takes the eye in this novice stakes as he looks to build on an encouraging first run at this course in November. Easy to back, he stayed on to finish just out of the money in a big field, and like many from this stable should go a fair way forward on second outing.
Place Accumulater Perm (Races 2-8)
8, 2, 9 x 2 x 5, 2 x 5, 2, 7 x 3, 2 x 6, 4 x 10, 3, 2
R216
