Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Monday 17 February 2025

SOUTHWELL

Race 2 No1 SALT ROCK (Nap)
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy

SALT ROCK is a horse on the march and with a great chance of completing a fine hat-trick and remaining unbeaten over fences. A hallmark of his successes at Hereford and Doncaster was his slick jumping, and when scoring on the Town Moor he had the prize in his pocket a long way from home. While the handicapper has had his say, the seven-year-old appeals as the best bet of the day.

Race 3 No1 IN THE AGE
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton

Point winner IN THE AGE showed a good attitude to get the job done on his debut under Rules at this track. Under a penalty he can back up that victory, and at the expense of the only other winner in the field, Nazare.

Race 4 No11 WOLF MOON
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones

WOLF MOON outperformed his 50-1 odds when second to German Derby winner Palladium at Huntingdon. Considering the high reputation of the horse that beat him, by a distance of just two lengths, Wolf Moon should prove very hard to beat and is preferred to Beau Quali.

Race 5 No8 OWL OF ATHENS
Trainer: Evan Williams – Jockey: Conor Ring

OWL OF ATHENS made abnormal progression to score easily at Uttoxeter, landing a decent touch for his connections in the process. He’s racing off an 11lb higher mark but can show with a follow-up success that he’s still ahead of it.

CARLISLE

Race 1 No3 CEST DIFFERENT (Each Way)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston

Although he’s yet to trouble the judge and hasn’t attracted a bean of support in three outings over jumps, CEST DIFFERENT is a well bred individual who will receive good assistance from the saddle. He can only be a speculative advice, with the emphasis on watching the market.

Race 2 No3 SHOMEN UCHI
Trainer: Sam Thomas- Jockey: Dylan Johnston

SHOMEN UCHI won a bumper and a maiden hurdle before being sidelined with an injury. He’s returning from a two year absence but has schooled well, while turning out on the long journey from Herefordshire fit enough to do himself justice.

Race 4 No3 FORTUNATE MAN (Nap)
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

This stiff course should play to the strengths of FORTUNATE MAN, who showed he has taken well to jumping fences when chinned on chase debut at this course by a horse that went on to better things. Two subsequent good efforts show the selection to be in equally fine form, and he’s reacted positively to the cheek pieces he wears today.

Race 6 No2 MAVIS PIKE
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: James Turner

MAVIS PIKE put in a gritty display to regain the winning habit on her latest start and looks to have been found a good opportunity to follow-up on the long haul from Gloucestershire. The Pether’s Moon mare looked in good order in her winding up work for this at Grange Farm.