Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Newton Abbot, Beverley, Hamilton Park, Warwick and Cartmel on 31 May 2023.
NEWTON ABBOT
Race 5 No4 SHERBORNE
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Freddie Gingell
SHERBORNE makes abundant appeal in this long distance handicap hurdle granted how much of a new broom he looked when successful on his first outing of the season at Ffos Las. The addition of a tongue tie appeared to be largely responsible for that, and he’s in the hands of a top conditional who takes 7lb off his back.
Race 6 No1 ESPOIR DE TEILLEE (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Brookhouse – Jockey: Miss Fern O’Brien
As long as his jumping stands the test, ESPOIR DE TEILLEE should take care of business and make this hunter-chase a third success from his last four attempts. He’s clearly the best on form, and can stave off the challenge of market rival Diligent.
BEVERLEY
Race 7 No3 BIT OF A QUIRKE (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Walford – Jockey: Jason Hart
BIT OF A QUIRKE is a standing dish at Beverley and has strong claims to make this a seventh course triumph. He’s run well in each of his two starts this spring, has the ground in his favour and should post a big earning run as the only bet on a tough card for betting.
HAMILTON PARK
Race 6 No2 SILK BIRD (Each Way)
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe – Jockey: Joe Garritty
SILK BIRD isn’t an obvious winner of this three-year-old only race but I fancy her to raise her game. The daughter of Free Eagle hasn’t matched her best form of last year but can step up now in a handicap.
Race 7 No2 BREGUET BOY (Nap)
Trainer: Keith Dalgleish – Jockey: Billy Garritty
Iron Sheriff goes for a third win but might find BREGUET BOY too hot to handle. The selection landed some good bets at Musselburgh two weeks ago to trumpet his well being. He’s strongly fancied to follow-up.
WARWICK
Race 1 No2 NICKELSONTHEDIME
Trainer: Kayley Woollacott – Jockey: Joshua Newman
Although making it a habit to find one too good for him this could be NICKELSONTHEDIME’s day. He failed in a close photo against Gentleman Valley over this course and distance last time, and can be relied upon to put in a similar bid against the long absent Manintheshadows.
Race 5 No6 FENNEY BROOK (Nap)
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Richard Patrick
Prolific scorer Pop The Champagne is fit from a spin on the Flat and could add this to her laurels, but FENNEY BROOK was a tad unfortunate not to win each of his three outings in the autumn and early winter and returns refreshed from a break and representing a yard that’s doing well with its summer jumps team.
CARTMEL
Race 2 No1 IDEALDES VILLERETS (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
IDEALDES VILLERETS smoothly opened his account under Rules on his debut for McCain at Worcester and looks one to follow. Respect is paid to Special Rate, who can follow him home in a race the pair should dominate.
Race 5 No2 GREY SKIES
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
GREY SKIES ended last season on a high with a fortuitous triumph at Sedgefield and then a resounding one at Perth. The seven-year-old bids for the hat-trick off a 5lb higher mark, and should be up to the task in hand.
Race 6 No7 STEP BACK (Each Way)
Trainer: Mark Bradstock – Jockey: Miss L Bradstock
Veteran STEP BACK is nowhere near the horse that won the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown five years ago but can still set a good gallop. He negociated the Aintree Foxhunters course when last seen back in April, and now freshened up can make this a winning first visit to this unique course, where his bold jumping should count for a lot.
Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)
2, 3 x 1 x 9, 2, 10 x 1, 4, 3 x 2, 3 x 2, 6 x 4, 2
R144
