Neil Morrice brings you all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Catterick Bridge, Ludlow, Perth, Taunton, Lingfield Park and Dundalk.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 4 No8 ROUND THE ISLAND
Trainer: Simon Whitaker – Jockey: Phil Dennis
ROUND THE ISLAND rarely wins away from his beloved Pontefract, but having run a cracker to place on his seasonal return at Ripon, the eight-year-old can notch a first victory for rookie trainer Simon Whitaker.
Race 5 No8 MUTAMADED (Nap)
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
There’s a lot to like about joint bottom weight MUTAMADED, who is sure to be more forward than when third at Beverley. He’s an infrequent winner, but could relish a return to a course where he’s only run once before.
LUDLOW
Race 2 No3 BABY KING
Trainer: Tom George – Jockey: Ciaran Gethings
Followers of BABY KING haven’t collected on him for two years, but interestingly that happened over today’s course and distance, and after running above his 20-1 starting price at Southwell last time he’s ready to deliver for a stable whose horses are enjoying the spring ground.
Race 6 No1 CALL ME VIC
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Mr Albi Tufnell
Although absent since December, CALL ME VIC can prove a thorn in the side of Favorito Buck’s in this hunted chase. The selection has been intentionally held back to wait for the better ground he will encounter, and though well into the veteran category can roll back the years.
Race 7 No6 OUR JESTER (Nap)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Tom O’Brien
Easily the nicest horse on view today, OUR JESTER should be a horse worth waiting for in the nightcap. He made an eye taking debut in what looked a hotter race than this at Newbury to chase home the useful Charlie’s Glance. He is going to be more streetwise, and should take the spoils on the way to better things.
PERTH
Race 1 No1 ALRIGHT SUNSHINE (Nap)
Trainer: Keith Dalgleish – Jockey: Craig Nichol
Former useful bumper horse ALRIGHT SUNSHINE has adapted well to jumping with a second and satisfactory run in a Grade 2. He has also served his connections well in his forays on the Flat, and might prove too classy for Jetway Joey in this curtain raiser to a cracking two-day card at this picturesque course.
Race 4 No7 FRANCKY DU BERLAIS
Trainer: Peter Bowen – Jockey: Sean Bowen
The Bowens have wisely protected the mark of FRANCKY DU BERLAIS since his Exeter success back in January and can now look forward to campaigning him as a summer jumper. The French-bred gelding has shown admirable consistency with two wins and three seconds from as many starts this season, and is a credit to his trainer.
Race 5 No1 McGOWANS PASS
Trainer: Sandy Thomson – Jockey: Oakley Brown
Top weight may not prevent McGOWANS PASS from ending a sequence of near-misses. Since his Ayr triumph back in January of last year he’s grazed the crossbar in a select campaign, and what’s significant about today is that he’s fresh off a break, which is when he’s at his most dangerous.
TAUNTON
Race 1 No2 TEMPLEPARK
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Liam Harrison
Dual purpose horse TEMPLEPARK holds the cards in this return to novice hurdle company, as long as the exertions of Monday’s win over fences at Kempton haven’t left their mark. The regular earner has the services of a top conditional and will be hard to beat.
Race 3 No11 KIMBERLEY (Nap)
Trainer: Oliver Greenall – Jockey: Harry Bannister
KIMBERLEY looked a tad unlucky when third to Power Home at Warwick when hitting a flat spot and then running on. She looks poised for a big earning run and will be very hard to keep out of the money.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 3 No1 STORMBOMBER (Nap)
Trainer: Michael Madgwick – Jockey: Luke Morris
STORMBOMBER can prove a deserving winner following a couple of narrow defeats on Polytrack, latterly when chinned by Avorisk Et Perils over course and distance. He is opposed by a bunch of mainly out of form rivals and has a great chance of taking the spoils.
Race 7 No5 HEY HO LET’S GO
Trainer: Mark Hoad – Jockey: Angus Villiers
Precision timing has helped enable HEY HO LET’S GO to win his last two sprints at this course, latterly under a penalty. He seems as good over this five furlongs or six, and can swoop to conquer in the closing stages.
DUNDALK
Race 3 No8 GOLDEN LYRIC (Nap)
Trainer: Jessica Harrington – Jockey: Shane Foley
War Front colt County Wicklow is an unexposed threat to all in this maiden, but the proven form of GOLDEN LYRIC my give her the edge. The daughter of Lope De Vega has found one to beat her the last twice but it remains to be seen whether she is up against a foe as talented as either Messidor or Baton Rouge this evening.
Race 4 No5 STOP ON RED
Trainer: Jimmy Coogan – Jockey: Chris Hayes
STOP ON RED came off worst in a blanket finish when fourth here last week, going down by just half a length to the winner No Patience. The Mehmas gelding has observed a high level of form through the spring, and can return to winning ways.
Race 7 No11 ALOHAMORA
Trainer: James Nash – Jockey: Leigh Roche
The lightly-raced ALOHAMORA chased home Merroir at Gowran last time, and must be afforded considerable respect with blinkers added for the first time that day retained. Since returning from a winter break the chestnut has improved from race to race, and should now be cherry ripe.
Race 8 No7 QUAMINO (Each Way)
Trainer: Paul Nolan – Jockey: Declan McDonagh
Dual purpose horse QAMINO is an infrequent racer on the all-weather but has shown he acts on it. He’s back from a three and a half month break and could be the one to capitalise if automatic favourite Amhran Na Bhfiann underperforms.
