Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Wednesday 22 March 2023

FFOS LAS

Race 7 No2 BALLYDISCO
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Mr Ben Sutton

BALLYDISCO has performed well without winning for his amateur pilot and deserves a change of luck. He was in a tightly knit race when third at this course last month, and while there are a couple of recent winners in opposition he’s going into battle for a trainer whose horses are running into some form.

Race 3 No2 BRIERY EXPRESS
Trainer: Noel Williams – Jockey: Conor Brace

BRIERY EXPRESS should be forgiven her underwhelming run at Lingfield where she completely bombed out. This lightly-raced individual has subsequently engaged in some instructive schooling and will have a tongue strap added for what is only her second outing over fences.

HAYDOCK PARK

Race 4 No7 HURLERONTHEDITCH (Each Way)
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass

With his stable starting to emerge from a quiet patch, HURLERONTHEDITCH could be the answer to this handicap hurdle. The Shirocco gelding will love the deep underfoot conditions, and is a lightly-raced individual having a first run in this type of race. Furthermore he’s run well in both starts for the yard, looking to have improved for a breathing operation after his success in a Wexford bumper.

Race 5 No2 SHANTY ALLEY (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: Conor O’Farrell

SHANTY ALLEY placed in a couple of well contested handicap chases including the Mandarin at Newbury before flopping at Doncaster. He then ran well for a long way in the Eider Chase at Newcastle before failing to see out the taxing four mile trip. Back to three and a half miles he is a value option at a double-figure price to take away a cheque in the day’s feature.

Race 6 No3 GALUDON
Trainer: Harry Whittington- Jockey: Sean Quinlan

GALUDON will find his niche when going chasing, but after an improved display in a Wetherby novice hurdle can make this a first win under Rules on his handicap bow. He’s run into some doughty foes, and the form of his short head defeat at Wetherby has worked out.

Race 7 No1 GREY DIAMOND (Nap)
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

The horse I’m really looking forward to backing on this card is GREY DIAMOND. The habitual front-runner was held up on his latest start at Sandown, and was going best of the three horses still in contention when being asked for a long one, putting down and paying the penalty at Sandown’s penultimate fence in early January. He’s been given plenty of time to recover from the spill, and with his trainer in good form can repel hat-trick seekers Grandeur D’Ame and One Fine Man.

WARWICK

Race 1 No11 GREATNESS AWAITS
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kevin Brogan

GREATNESS AWAITS always promised to do well at the winter game, and has on both starts over hurdles shown ability. He lost a shoe when in contention for minor honours at Ludlow, then chased home a willing foe in Planet Legend at Kelso. He has a good attitude, and can reward his trainer’s decision to come here rather than Haydock.

Race 3 No6 EROS (Each Way)
Trainer: Kayley Woollacott – Jockey: Ben Godfrey

EROS travelled into his race beautifully here last month, only to be overhauled by Bells Of Stamford on the run-in. This frustrating maiden has earned on nine of his dozen outings over fences, is a good jumper and deserves to put one on the board although his jockey may choose to delay his challenge this time.

Race 4 No4 GALAHAD THREEPWOOD (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kevin Brogan

GALAHAD THREEPWOOD prevailed by a diminishing margin to open his account over jumps at Doncaster, but would have scored by a wider margin if he hadn’t gone for home so far out. He looked unlucky on his previous start at the same track, and having got the hang of this new discipline can follow-up for his in-form handler.