Neil Morrice brings you all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Ayr, Wolverhampton, and Lingfield Park.
AYR
Race 1 No1 BASS ROCK (Nap)
Trainer: Sandy Thomson – Jockey: Ryan Mania
In colours that have enjoyed prolific success at this course, BASS ROCK has the best form on offer and is the one to beat. Since joining his trainer from France the five-year-old has finished second on both hurdling starts at Carlisle. The way he’s stayed on at the finish suggests a step up in trip today will be in his favour.
Race 4 No6 EVENT OF SIVOLA (Each Way)
Trainer: Mark Walford – Jockey: Thomas Dowson
Denied a good opportunity by the weather last week, EVENT DE SIVOLA can deservedly get off the mark for his trainer in this long-distance chase. He ran into a handicap snip when second to Sigurd at Catterick, but while a couple of his foes are in good form in an overall stronger contest, he’s going to represent solid each-way value.
Race 5 No6 SKIPPING ON (Each Way)
Trainer: Laura Morgan – Jockey: Conor O’Farrell
It’s very hard to imagine SKIPPING ON not figuring in the shake-up of this following three earning efforts for his new trainer. He showed gritty determination to get the job done at Warwick on New Year’s Eve and should again be right in the thick of things at the business end of the contest.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 3 No8 ONEBABA
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
ONEBABA responded positively to the fitting of an eyeshield when making it one from one in 2021 over course and distance earlier in the month. He landed some good bets with something up his sleeve, and can follow-up from his new mark.
Race 4 No4 JUMIRA BRIDGE
Trainer: Derek Shaw – Jockey: Lewis Edmunds
JUMIRA BRIDGE overcame traffic problems to deliver by the skin of his teeth here 12 days ago and looks a much-improved operator. He’s drawn to put in another attacking display and has decent claims of a follow-up.
Race 5 No4 MEKONG (Nap)
Trainer: Jamie Osborne – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
Frankel gelding MEKONG ran well on all three starts after joining Osborne from Sir Michael Stoute but has never run on the Tapeta surface. His second to Call The Wind when wearing a first time hood at Maydan reads very well in the context of today’s race, and although Rainbow Dreamer is afforded the respect he might be playing for minor money against my selection who is napped.
Race 7 No3 CARMENERE (Each Way)
Trainer: Jamie Osborne – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
From a good draw, CARMENERE could trouble the judge at a tasty price and might be worth tickling in a race with little depth in its 13-runner field. The daughter of Dawn Approach started 100-1 when fourth in a maiden here when last seen six weeks ago, and will be a big double-figure price again.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 4 No9 TIMBERMAN (Nap)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Paddy Brennan
Respect is paid to Supakalanistic whose stable is gradually finding its feet, but preference is for TIMBERMAN who could prove an exciting addition to the in-form O’Brien yard. He kept good company in two outings for Nicky Henderson including a good effort behind Fiddlerontheroof on hurdles debut at Sandown. We haven’t seen the best of him, and a big run is expected.
Race 5 No11 GETARIVER
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
Unbeaten in three outings in bumpers, GETARIVER is back in her comfort zone following a few near-misses in handicap hurdles this season. She is made for these jumper-bumpers and can return to winning ways.
Race 8 No8 VEGAS BLUE
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Jerry McGrath
VEGAS BLUE hated the heavy ground when pulled up on handicap hurdle debut at Sandown but is now back in the part of the spectrum in which she was unbeaten in bumpers, scoring at Bangor and Huntingdon. She should relish this all-weather surface and her finishing kick can prove decisive.
