Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing coming your way from Wincanton, Ludlow, Newcastle, and Chelmsford City on 16 January 2025.
WINCANTON
Race 3 No3 STRONG BELLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
St Luke’s Chelsea is an unexposed horse who promises to to better as a jumper but at a big price STRONG BELLE is worth a speculative bet. The grey is useful when operating within her comfort zone as when runner-up to Cullinan at Wincanton. However she wasn’t disgraced in a better race at Newbury last time, and now back in a Class5 needs respecting.
Race 4 No8 HIGHLANDS LEGACY
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Kevin Brogan
Fine Casting should go well now back over hurdles, while Kado De Joie will make a bold fist of completing a hat-trick. They go into all exotics but preference for the win is for HIGHLANDS LEGACY who looks equally progressive. He’s started odds-on for each of his last three starts in novice and maiden company, and while turned over at 1-2 when last seen in the summer is a fascinating addition to the handicapper roster at Jackdaw’s Castle.
Race 6 No9 SIZABLE SAM (Each Way)
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Rex Dingle
Katate Dori is attractive getting weight from the field and could easily complete what would be a fine hat-trick. He should again be on the premises but at a bigger price I shall back SIZABLE SAM. The selection looked a good prospect when posting figures of 221 in his first three chase outings only to go onto the injury list. He was returning from a 21-month absence when getting tired at Newbury, but then troubled the judge in a decent race at Exeter from which he can make further improvement.
Race 7 No4 KOP LAND (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Dylan Johnston
From a stable that excels with its runners in the bumper division, KOP LAND is well worth a market check. All twelve runners are first timers and therefore in the same boat regarding lack of experience, but the vibes from the gallops for my selection are strong.
LUDLOW
Race 2 No5 LIBRE DE CHOEUR
Trainer: Clive Boultbee-Brooks – Jockey: Richard Patrick
From a small stable that has been profiting with its New Year runners, LIBRE DE CHOEUR can take out this maiden hurdle. The former Irish-based pointer made an encouraging first effort under Rules when third at Warwick and if making normal progression from that should go close.
Race 5 No2 ASCENDING LARK (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Derham – Jockey: Paul O’Brien
While some of these mares have been earning on a regular basis, the massively exposed ASCENDING LARK will surely beat them if fully primed after a more than eight months absence. The seven-year-old was an easy winner of maiden and novice hurdles at Haydock and Huntingdon to show that a prior breathing operation had worked, and she doesn’t appear harshly treated for this first handicap run.
Race 6 No3 EVA’S OSKAR
Trainer: Tim Vaughan – Jockey: Mr Edward Vaughan
The Hunter-chase season is upon us and in this interesting heat EVA’S OSKAR should prevail. The grey was a very useful staying chaser before enduring an enforced absence, and can make a decent splash in this new discipline.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No2 BEAU QUALI (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
BEAU QUALI has run into some decent tackle since his arrival from France. Having knocked on the door he now has a great chance to open his account, and should.
Race 2 No10 QUEENS WISH
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
The Skeltons also appear to have the answer to the second division and can double up with QUEENS WISH, who was a well backed winner of her only start in a point and has shown promise since being sourced out of her Irish yard.
Race 3 No2 FRENCH EMPEROR
Trainer: Nicky Martin – Jockey: Sean Houlihan
FRENCH EMPEROR has a high cruising speed that should give him a nice tow into this race. I doubt that he’s up against anything as good as the winner of his latest Windsor race, and if so he can take care of business.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 2 No3 KEV (Nap)
Trainer: Tom Ward – Jockey: Sean Levey
Given the luxury of the rail, KEV is in a position to attack and can take out this second division of the maiden. He showed good progression to chase home a decent foe on a second career start and might prove too strong for One Horse Town, who is drawn alongside him.
Race 5 No2 TARGET MAN
Trainer: George Boughey – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
Boughey fires a double salvo into this novice with TARGET MAN taken to down penalised stablemate Megaphone. The selection has had a few chances but should open his account in receipt of 7lb.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)
3 x 3 x 1 x 2 x 3, 7 x 7, 5 x 4, 2
R8
Jackpot Perm (Races 5-8)
2, 1, 4 x 3, 7, 8 x 7, 5, 6, 8 x 4, 2, 1
R108
