Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Sandown Park, Hereford, Ayr, Wolverhampton and Chelmsford City.
Check out Neil’s video for Saturday’s racing below.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 2 No5 STRIKING A POSE
Trainer: Colin Tizzard – Jockey: Tom O’Brien
STRIKING A POSE is just the type of lightly raced improver that do well in this ultra competitive novices’ handicap hurdle. He could do no more than score easily when long odds on at Exeter last time and his stable is now running into form. Ground, race distance and the undulating track are further ticks in the boxes.
Race 3 No9 NATURAL HISTORY
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: Jamie Moore
If there’s a horse that’s got into this featured Imperial Cup under the radar then it has to be NATURAL HISTORY. The former smart Flat middle distance horse has made a smooth transition to jumping for his new stable and after running into a tartar at Wincanton made no mistake on handicap debut at Plumpton. That was just an ordinary race, and the Wincanton form has taken a knock, but the selection remains unexposed and open to abundant improvement.
Race 4 No10 SHEILA NASH (Each Way)
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
Whittington is entitled to have a soft spot for SHEILA NASH as she is named after his grandmother. The Flemensfirth mare was unseated soon after the tapes went up on reappearance at Wincanton after being backed, but the losses were recouped with interest when she gamely landed a Kempton jumper-bumper on her next outing. She’s been in very good form at home and the recent rain will not inconvenience her chance.
Race 6 No10 BOUGHTBEFORELUNCH (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Tom O’Brien
For sheer consistency BOUGHTBEFORELUNCH richly deserves to get his head in front. Back at a venue that plays to his strengths and off bottom weight his superior jumping should again stand him in good stead over the tricky Railway fences. He responded well to the addition of blinkers when chasing home Call Me Vic here in December and has enjoyed a freshening break.
HEREFORD
Race 1 No8 HOOPER (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Aidan Coleman
In what appears a straight match with Unohu, HOOPER can prevail and looks the best bet on the card. Not only does he receive 6lb from his rival, but after three near-misses he gained a snug victory in a Kempton jumper-bumper which can provide a nice confidence boost.
Race 2 No5 JABULANI
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Kevin Brogan
This stable is quietly firing in the winners and could uncover another in JABULANI. The grey is seeking a first success since joining Thomas and is capable of leaving his disappointing Wincanton effort behind him now tried in blinkers off a short break.
AYR
Race 4 No1 CORRIEBEN RIVER (Nap)
Trainer: Alastair Whillans – Jockey: Blair Campbell
Hat-trick seeking CORRIEBEN RIVER has a 50% strike rate from only six outings under Rules and is therefore a horse that could have further progression in him. He came home unchallenged at Kelso last time and a subsequent weight rise is tempered by the 3lb claim of his conditional jockey.
Race 5 No2 BASS ROCK
Trainer: Sandy Thomson – Jockey: Ryan Mania
BASS ROCK will almost certainly start as the outsider of three but can prove a match for previous winners Tamar Bridge and Wetlands. Key to his chance is a wind operation which occured after his latest outing here in January. Granted the normal benefits to be gained from that, he has plenty going for him.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 2 No2 STEELRIVER (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Tom Eaves
STEELRIVER is a standing dish at the track but his last win happened in June last year. In eleven subsequent visits the closest he’s got to scoring was when he chased home Onebaba at the end of last month. His turn of foot can be used with telling effect in this small field.
Race 6 No4 MILLTOWN STAR (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: David Probert
In a select campaign last year MILLTOWN STAR picked up a couple of cheques at Grade 1 courses. On this first all-weather run since the summer of 2019 when he trotted up here, he has strong claims for another earning run.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 1 No5 GREEN PLANET
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Martin Harley
This should prove of third time lucky for GREEN PLANET. The gelded son of Australia came up against some decent foes in two all-weather starts for his previous handler and is ready for his first start in three months.
Race 7 No4 SINGLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
SINGLE has never been out of the money in four outings on the all-weather and will be fitter for her good earning effort here last time. She should also appreciate the step up to a mile and threequarters.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)
5, 12 x 6, 2 x 2 x 1 x 3, 5 x 4, 6, 2 x 4, 6
R48
