Neil Morrice brings you all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Plumpton, Stratford, Taunton and Wolverhampton.
PLUMPTON
Race 3 No3 BLAME THE GAMETrainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Tom Cannon
BLAME THE GAME recovered from an off day at Fakenham to land some good bets in decisive fashion at Fontwell. He showed a liking for this course when scoring on his only previous visit back in November, and can again successfully dominate throughout.
Race 4 No11 SOARLIKEANEAGLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Rowe – Jockey: James Davies
At a big price SOARLIKEANEAGLE can get into the money. The former Irish point winner is a long-standing maiden under Rules but has shown a liking for this course. His run behind One For Dunstan here last time was better than it looked, and he is fitter for it.
Race 6 No4 POWERSTOWN PARK (Nap)Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Kevin Brogan
It’s hard to look past the penalised POWERSTOWN PARK in a nightcap that won’t take much winning. He built on the promise of a placed run in a jumper-bumper to make all at Exeter and that first win under Rules has served as a massive confidence boost.
STRATFORD
Race 2 No3 STARJAC
Trainer: Paul Webber – Jockey: Richie McLernon
Switching to fences and straight into a handicap following a two year enforced absence, STARJAC has the wherewithal to make his mark here. When last seen at Uttoxeter he came within an ace of opening his account and that came after a break, suggesting he will not fail today for lack of fitness as he’s also a light-framed individual that doesn’t take much getting ready.
Race 5 No7 TWOMINUTES TURKISH (Nap)
Trainer: Chris Gordon – Jockey: Jamie Moore
TWOMINUTES TURKISH ran a cracker in defeat at Warwick when trying to give the useful Cadzand 6lb. Taking account of what the last-named horse has achieved subsequently he could have been let in lightly on a mark of 122 for this first run in a handicap.
TAUNTON
Race 1 No14 VULCANTrainer: Dr Richard Newland – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
A strong stayer on the Flat, VULCAN was beaten a long way on jumps debut at Ascot but that was at the hooves of Tritonic who is hot property for the Triumph Hurdle. Should he make normal progression he has a good chance to open his account.
Race 3 No1 THE WIDDOW MAKER (Nap)
Trainer: Colin Tizzard – Jockey: Harry Cobden
With his stable now back amongst the winners this is a good opposer THE WIDDOW MAKER to build on the good impression he made when scoring at Taunton. He beat a poor field but did so with some authority and now has his tail up.
Race 5 No2 UISCE UR
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Luca Morgan
Since reverting to hurdles UISCE UR has won at Doncaster and finished second to an in-form rival at Warwick. She has crept up in the weights but this is not an especially strong contest, and she sets the standard for the others to aim at.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 8 No1 ARCADIAN NIGHTS (Nap)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: James Doyle
ARACADIAN NIGHTS is only 4lb higher than for his success at Nottingham in the autumn. The Exceed And Excel colt has wintered well and looks a bet worth waiting for in this compressed handicap.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 3-9)
6, 2 x 1 x 7, 3 x 2 x 1, 2, 7 x 1, 6 x 5
R24
