Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Catterick Bridge, Nottingham, Lingfield Park and Newcastle.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
RACE 3 No8 SINGLE (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
SINGLE appeals as a filly that should enjoy the sharp turns of this course on a first run on turf in 2021. She’s troubled the judge on a couple of recent outings on the all-weather, and though an infrequent winner could find this contest being run to suit.
Race 6 No2 SAGE ADVICE
Trainer: Dr Richard Newland – Jockey: Ben Curtis
Back on the Flat after finishing just out of the money in the juvenile handicap hurdle at Aintree, SAGE ADVICE has scope for improvement in this division and can land the spoils on the way to better things.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 4 No5 MUKER (Nap)
Trainer: Phillip Makin – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
There were few faster juveniles last year than MUKER, who did much to launch the career of his trainer when finishing third to Tactical in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. He then took out a novice at York before going down by a neck to Urban Beat in a Group 3 at Dundalk. The son of Mehmas is reported to be well oiled for his seasonal reappearance.
Race 5 No5 SIR RON PRIESTLEY
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Franny Norton
SIR RON PRIESTLEY returns from an 18-month enforced absence, but this prolific scorer is ready to state an early case for the Gold Cup. He was last seen chasing home Logician in the St Leger of 2019, a run which stamps him a proper Group 1 horse. He’d won five of his previous six races, and it will be a surprise if he doesn’t have quite a lot more to offer.
Race 7 No4 ANNANDALE
Trainer: Mark Johnston – Jockey: Franny Norton
Johnston should again be on the mark with ANNANDALE in what looks a competitive three-year-old handicap. Like Sir Ron Priestley a son of Investec Derby winner Australia, the selection lost no caste in defeat when going down in a photo to the useful Tamborrada at Doncaster. He faces nothing of that ilk here, and can get back in the groove.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 3 No7 SEAGULLS NEST (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Nicola Currie
This is not an especially punter-friendly card, and SEAGULLS NEST is the only bet. The Camelot mare was a slow learner last year but can raise her game fresh off winter break, and give previous scorers Lost Eden and Royal Mews something to think about.
NEWCASTLE
Race 5 No2 AERION POWER (Nap)
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute – Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
Considered one of Stoute’s best juveniles in 2020, AERION POWER can make an immediate impact for a stable that has started well with its limited number of runners. The son of Kingman is going to appreciate stepping up to a mile and should have the measure of top weight Forest Falcon.
Race 7 No2 CAPTAINOFTHEBOUNTY
Trainer: Roger Fell – Jockey: James Sullivan
In a low grade affair CAPTAINOFTHEBOUNTY can prevail. Formerly in the Joseph O’Brien team, he had a quiet time of things with his new handler last year, but is set to better a narrow defeat by The Brora Pobbles on this season’s reappearance over course and distance.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)
1 x 1, 5 x 5, 4 x 2, 1 x 8 x 2, 14 x 2, 4, 6
R48
