Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Carlisle and Exeter on 26 March 2023.
CARLISLE
Race 6 No5 BRETNEY
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Long distance traveller BRETNEY hasn’t been the most consistent of performers this season but it might prove that the application of blinkers has helped him turn a corner. In the headgear he bounced back to form with a ready success at Bangor, and even though several of his foes are in equally good form, he can follow-up at the expense of top weight Creative Control.
Race 7 No3 FOXWOOD (Nap)
Trainer: George Bewley – Jockey: Brian Hughes
I like the profile of FOXWOOD, who stayed on well to chase home Tedtwo on debut at Catterick and who will be a lot more streetwise. He’s a well bred individual sporting colours that have done well in the bumper division over the years.
EXETER
Race 1 No3 SPONTHUS (Each Way)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Though Pilsdon Pen is a horse I have a lot of time for there could be a joker in this pack in the form of SPONTHUS. The former Irish pointer has reached the age of eight after just four outings under Rules and needs to make up for lost time. His first two efforts over hurdles would give him a bright chance but we need to draw a line through an underwhelming run at Huntingdon as he switches his attention to handicaps.
Race 4 No6 YOUNG BULL (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Whittington – Jockey: Sean Bowen
YOUNG BULL has been all dressed up with nowhere to go and missed a couple of opportunities since a very pleasing comeback effort when troubling the judge at Haydock. Though yet to win over fences, he’s finished in the money in all five starts and is a winner waiting to happen. Bowen is an eye taking booking for the soft ground specialist, who can provide his trainer with a welcome change of luck.
Race 5 No5 VIROFLAY
Trainer: Ms Bridget Nicholls – Jockey: Miss Olive Nicholls
A winner of three of his four outings in points, VIROFLAY should take a lot of beating on his first start over regulation fences. A former inmate of champion trainer Paul Nicholls’ stables, he’s ridden by the great man’s daughter, and has been well tutored for the switch of code.
