Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Wednesday 24 April 2024

LUDLOW

Race 3 No1 STORM CONTROL (Each Way)
Trainer: Kerry Lee – Jockey: Oscar Palmer

STORM CONTROL takes a drop in grade and carries top weight in a bid to revive his fortunes on a track that should suit his forcing style. The veteran is the oldest in the field, and though stopping very quickly on his latest start at Doncaster is worth another chance on a rare visit to a right-handed track.

Race 6 No2 FAERIE CUTLASS (Nap)
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: David Bass

On a belated return to the fray, FAERIE CUTLASS can dominate a field of mainly out-of-form rivals. She ended last season with a win at Worcester and second at Southwell when she was equipped with a tongue strap. Since that latest appearance ten months ago she’s undergone wind surgery which has hopefully eliminated her breathing issues.

PERTH

Race 3 No4 SOUNDS RUSSIAN (Nap)
Trainer: Ruth Jefferson – Jockey: Brian Hughes

SOUNDS RUSSIAN is a fascinating runner in the best race of the day as he continues to pursue a hurdling career. He was racing for the first time in almost a year when beating only one home in a Grade2 at Haydock in February but should go forward for that needed effort, and repel the challenge of the Willie Mullins-trained Loughglynn.

Race 5 No3 CRACKING DESTINY
Trainer: Ewan Whillans – Jockey: Craig Nichol

CRACKING DESTINY has won twice and troubled the judge in each of his last ten appearances but this is his first visit to Perth for two years. He’s been freshened up since a creditable display when fourth at Musselburgh on New Year’s Day, and looks the one to cause paper favourite Figaroc problems.

CATTERICK BRIDGE

Race 2 No4 MORAL STANDARDS (Nap)
Trainer: Grant Tuer – Jockey: Sam James

Corai Glory filly MORAL STANDARDS upped her game when an unconsidered 150-1 shot at Pontefract where she chased home Close Connection. She needs to show that was no fluke, and can do against a market rival Northerner who returns from a more than 300-day absence.

Race 3 No3 VINCE L’AMOUR
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan

VINCE L’AMOUR was a hugely impressive winner at Ripon and is out for another strike under a 6lb penalty. He’s looked a different horse since having his tongue tied down, and will relish any cut in the ground.

Race 6 No10 MR STRUTTER (Each Way)
Trainer: David Thompson – Jockey: Franny Norton

MR STRUTTER could be the value play on this second run of the season and back on a track where he’s a five-time winner. The veteran usually needs a couple of outings to gain full fitness, but very interesting is that Norton is back in the saddle. He was also on board for last October’s course and distance success.

TAUNTON

Race 3 No3 AIRTOTHETHRONE (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Vaughan – Jockey: Alan Johns

First-time cheek pieces can assist AIRTOTHETHRONE to post a first success of the campaign and also a deserving one. The Yeats gelding has claimed a cheque in each of his completed starts and has shown a liking for this course, where he claimed his only career triumph.

Race 7 No14 GLORIOUS LION (Each Way)
Trainer: Harry Derham – Jockey: Paul O’Brien

GLORIOUS LION appeals as one of the better bets of the day even though he’s in the most competitive race on the card. The Roaring Lion gelding made the frame in three juvenile hurdles but the switch to a handicap on a faster surface will probably bring out the best in him against mainly much older rivals.

UTTOXETER

Race 1 No2 MATTIE ROSS (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Phillips – Jockey: Finn Lambert

MATTIE ROSS has been trained with a kid glove since switching to hurdles, with only four outings in more than two years. On only a second run in a handicap, he could easily raise his game, as he’s shown promise on both starts this season and still possesses scope for progression.

Race 2 No12 THE GREY MAN (Nap)
Trainer: Harriet Dickin – Jockey: Benjamin Poste

From a stable that’s enjoying a purple patch, THE GREY MAN a has a good opportunity to open his account. He chased home a good yardstick in Rossbridge on hurdling debut at Ludlow to back up the good form he’d shown when second in a Hereford bumper.

Race 4 No5 HUDSON DE GRUGY (Each Way)
Trainer: Gary Moore – Jockey: Niall Houlihan

With few miles on the clock this season, HUDSON DE GRUGY needs taking seriously in the day’s feature. This is a first visit to Uttoxeter for the Sandown specialist, who has given evidence in two earning visits to that course that a wind operation had benefitted him.

Place Accumulator Perm (Races 2-8)

12, 13 x 8, 3, 11 x 5, 6, 10 x 3, 6 x 1, 2 x 7, 3 x 1

R144