Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Wetherby, Exeter, and Wolverhampton on 18 March 2025.
WETHERBY
Race 4 No3 FELICE DU MAQUIS (Nap)
Trainer: Clive Boultbee-Brooks – Jockey: Richard Patrick
On a tricky card for punting, FELICE DU MAQUIS is the only advice. The mare swooped late to outpoint a decent foe in Gaye Legacy at Ludlow on only her second run back from an enforced absence, and if that effort can be repeated she should see off four males in the three miles novices’ limited handicap chase.
EXETER
Race 3 No2 STONER’S CHOICE (Nap)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
O’Brien looks to have found a very good opportunity for new recruit STONER’S CHOICE who has only been with him for a fortnight. The Nap brings very good form to the table after podium finishes over hurdles at Ascot and Kempton, and is a hard one to catch if getting into a rhythm out in front, whilst he numbered a Kempton success in his previous flirtation with fences three years ago.
Race 4 No2 INVESTMENT MANAGER
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
Sound jumping is the hallmark of INVESTMENT MANAGER, who although a four times winner at Newton Abbot has also been successful here. He operates most effectively in small fields, and this contest seems to have been set up for him.
Race 5 No3 THE LONG POINT
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Harry Cobden
Cobden has a good record on his rides for Lavelle and the eye is drawn to THE LONG POINT in this long distance handicap hurdle. The grey has earned on all three outings over hurdles since landing a Huntingdon bumper on his debut under Rules. Cobden rode him for the first time when the combination finished second at Kempton last month, and will have learned something from that.
Race 6 No4 BERTIE WOOSTER
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
Filanderer will make a bold bid to complete a hat-trick but I fancy BERTIE WOOSTER to spoil the party. While yet to score this season the selection has improved with each of four outings over fences, with another frame finish at Wincanton teeing him up perfectly for today.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 4 No8 BOLD SUITOR
Trainer: Craig Benton – Jockey: Georgia Dobie
Super consistent BOLD SUITOR has been afforded a plum draw for this race around a lap of Dunstall Park. All of his best efforts have happened with Dobie in the saddle, including on the last five occasions he’s raced. Given any luck in running the combination should again finish in the shake-up.
Race 5 No5 SAM’S HOPE
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: William Carson
When second at Southwell last time Awtaad mare SAM’S HOPE gave off her best display so far, while running into a well treated winner. It looks like a second breathing operation is having the desired effect on the selection, who can go one better.
Race 6 No11 CHARLATAN (Nap)
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
It’s been six races since CHARLATAN was last partnered by Shepherd which resulted in the jockey notching a fourth success on the chestnut from six rides. The five-year-old has maintained a very good earning strike-rate, and while the outer draw is far from ideal, the combination can overcome it.
Race 8 No6 STARFIGHTER
Trainer: David Loughnane – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
STARFIGHTER pays the price for his consistency and has no hiding place from the handicapper, but it’s hard to see him not again troubling the judge with trainer’s son Loughnane returned to his saddle. Six of the selection’s seven all-weather triumphs have happened at this course, and a seventh beckons.
