Neil Morrice shares his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing from around the United Kingdom and Ireland! Tips on Wednesday come your way from Market Rasen, Wincaton, Southwell, Kempton Park and Leopardstown.
Market Rasen Best Bets
Race 5: EARLOFTHECOTSWOLDS (1)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
The course form of EARLOFTHECOTSWOLDS can give the top weight the edge on some in form rivals such as Collooney and Gleno. The five-year-old has the stamp of a chaser but has shown an aptitude for hurdling. He did nothing wrong when beaten by Rhythm Is A Dancer in a similar race at Ludlow last time.
Race 6: CODED MESSAGE (2)
Trainer: Ben Case
Jockey: Kieran Woods
Yet to finish out of the frame in five starts this season, CODED MESSAGE takes a marked step up the distance ladder after a short break and can regain the winning thread. Fresh from a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, her trainer can do no wrong. Furthermore, she meets nothing of the Cali relationship of Epatante who beat her at Exeter last time.
Wincanton Best Bets
Race 4: PINK GIN (5)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey: Mr Z Baker
When posting a course and distance victory here PINK GIN jumped superbly and it was that asset that enabled him to trouble the judge in a better race at Exeter last time. The inclement weather of the last two days should ensure there’s enough dig in the ground for him and his trainer has elected to take 5lb off his back courtesy of the stable’s amateur Zac Baker.
Southwell Best Bets
Race 4: BLAZON (8)
Trainer: Kim Bailey
Jockey: Kieren O’Neill
On the rare occasions he has runners on the Flat, Kim Bailey usually reaps rewards and he’s certainly achieved that with the progressive BLAZON. The six-year-old continues to go from strength to strength and, getting weight from these rivals, can extend his unbeaten sequence to four. He appeared to score with plenty in hand when completing a hat-trick at Kempton.
Race 6: TUM TUM (3)
Trainer: Michael Herrington
Jockey: Phil Dennis
The hooded TUM TUM rarely fails to menace and is unfortunate not to have won this season. He did everything right against Hammer Gun here last time without managing to reel in that rival. He is improving and has scope for improvement granted this will be only his sixth outing in the past two years. His trainer does well with this type of horse.
Race 5: MIDNIGHT OWLE (2)
Trainer: Claire Dyson
Jockey: Charlie Hammond
Such was the authority MIDNIGHT OWLE exuded when scoring at Taunton that he will be very hard to topple if turning up in the same mood. He travelled and jumped best and will find track and ground conditions much the same for this follow-up attempt.
Kempton Park Best Bets
Race 4: CANAL ROCKS (3)
Trainer: Henry Candy
Jockey: Georgia Dobie
Twice placed from five starts as a juvenile, CANAL ROCKS is trainer Candy’s first runner of the turf season. Although he will give connections a guide to the general fitness of the horses he has every right to be competitive based on a solid effort on his final 2018 start on the Rowley Course at Newmarket.
Race 6: SURREY BLAZE (9)
Trainer: Joe Tuite
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
I felt SURREY BLAZE was somewhat unlucky not to open his seasonal account at this course last month when travelling best into the home straight but getting run out of it by Singing Sheriff. If the race was run again it may well have produced a different result and from his rail draw Oisin Murphy can claim a handy position before countering at the business end of this slightly shorter race.
Leopardstown Best Bet
Race 6: MADAM SEAMSTRESS (6)
Trainer: Jim Bolger
Jockey: Kevin Manning
Penalised 6lb for posting a 25-1 shock at Navan, MADAM SEAMSTRESS looked to score a shade snugly that day and as she’d shown no worthwhile form in her juvenile season it wouldn’t be a surprise if there was plenty more to com, especially as she is bred to appreciate this longer trip.
