Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Newbury, Chepstow, Newcastle, Southwell and Dundalk.
NEWBURY
Race 1 No6 GALLYHILL
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico De Boinville
Henderson saddles a handful of strongly fancied runners at his local track, starting with the highly rated GALLYHILL. It was well over a year ago that the Getaway gelding landed an Irish point, but he’s done plenty of readying work for this debut under Rules, moving well and schooling beautifully.
Race 2 No1 BIRCHDALE
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Aidan Coleman
BIRCHDALE might not be the easiest of rides, but if on his A-game can defy top weight for Seven Barrows. He was a very smart novice over hurdles, and though things didn’t go to plan on his chase debut he deserves another chance.
Race 3 No11 HAMILTON’S FANTASY
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
The Queen’s HAMILTON’S FANTASY can prevail in a strongly contested novice hurdle and endorse the promise shown when narrowly denied on debut in an Ascot bumper last November. The gelded son of Mount Nelson was easy to back at a time his stable wasn’t firing, but if building on that will be competitive, and hard to beat.
Race 6 No10 OURO BRANCO (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Hawke – Jockey: Kieren Buckley
One of the best betting races on a cracking card can fall to OURO BRANCO, whose three triumphs from his last four starts suggest he’s a progressive individual open to further improvement in better races like this. He came back from nine months off to bolt up at Wincanton on Boxing Day, indicating that since the application cheek pieces he’s getting close to becoming the full article.
Race 7 No1 BROOMFIELD BURG
Trainer: NickyHenderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
‘JP’ McManus looks to have a decent prospect in BROOMFIELD BURG who looked talented when easily landing a maiden point in Ireland. He’s been sourced from an entity that’s provided some very good horses down the line, and worked with the aplomb that suggests he can deliver at the first time of asking under Rules.t.
CHEPSTOW
Race 3 No3 CHAMPAGNE RHYTHM (Nap)
Trainer: Evan Williams – Jockey: Isabel Williams
Even though he’s gone 222 on his last three outings, there’s nothing ungenuine about CHAMPAGNE RHYTHM. The locally-trained gelding ran into a smart foe in Pozo Emery here on Welsh National day and deserves a change of luck under the steering of his trainer’s daughter.
Race 4 No3 FIRST LORD DE CUET
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Fergus Gillard
Consistent FIRST LORD DE CUET has earned in each of his four hurdling starts this season. He’s more of a chasing type, but may find these calmer waters than when weakening into fourth at Ascot last time.
Race 5 No2 MERE ANARCHY (Each Way)
Trainer: Robert Stephens – Jockey: Sean Houlihan
Having missed out to an abandonment when strongly fancied earlier in the month, MERE ANARCHY now finds himself in a tougher race, but still commands a deal of respect. His sole win came on the Flat at Salisbury, but near-misses in handicap hurdles at Ffos Las and this track indicate he’s on the cusp of a deserved breakthrough over jumps.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No4 GERONIMO
Trainer: Donald McCan Jr – Jockey: Theo Gillard
A son of St Leger winner Masked Marvel, GERONIMO has indicated with some pleasing work that he can make an immediate mark in this jumper-bumper, for a stable firing out winners.
Race 4 No8 ONTHEFRONTFOOT
Trainer: Donald McCain Jr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
From the same McCain outfit, ONTHEFRONTFOOT missed out when his intended comeback race was called off, but that shouldn’t stop this consistent performer putting his best foot forward.
Race 5 No3 MALYSTIC (Nap)
Trainer: Peter Niven – Jockey: Brian Hughes
The booking of the champion jockey sways me to hat-trick seeker MALYSTIC over Snookered. The selection has shown himself as a potent force since Hughes jumped aboard, and in current mood can have too many guns for his strong travelling rival who he himself rode to victory here the other day.
SOUTHWELL
Race 5 No7 VAN DIJK (Nap)
Trainer: Anthony Brittain – Jockey: Harry Russell
With a slight pull in the weights, VAN DIJK can turn the tables on Crazy Spin from last week’s course and distance running. The selection’s only just gave best under a 5lb penalty for scoring here the previous week and if running to the same level of form can return to winning ways.
DUNDALK
Race 2 No8 DANCES WITH STARS (Nap)
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien – Jockey: Declan McDonagh
Perennial bridesmaid DANCES WITH STARS holds the cards in the second division of the maiden. The Sea The Stars colt can raise his game with the addition of first time cheek pieces, and appeals as the best bet on the card.
Race 5 No5 OH SAY
Trainer: Jessica Harrington – Jockey: Shane Foley
Starspangledbanner colt OH SAY can play the experience card to good effect in this maiden, having progressed through his three outings on Polytrack including a good second to Uncharted over this distance last month. He faces strong competition from Always Waitin, but the presence of that rival should make the market for him.
Race 6 No11 DARK MAGIC
Trainer: Tom Cleary – Jockey: Rory Cleary
Course winner DARK MAGIC has posted three near-misses since moving to this stable, latterly chasing home St George’s Head last week. Moving up to a mile here, he can demonstrate he’s just as effective over that distance as shorter.
Race 8 No10 BLASTOFMAGIC
Trainer: Tom Cleary – Jockey: Rory Cleary
With distinct improvement in his last three outings, BLASTOFMAGIC can now deliver a knockout blow stepped up from five furlongs to a more suitable six. The way he’s stayed on in those visits to the Polytrack this winter strongly points to a longer trip being the order of the day.
