Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Sunday’s racing taking place at Carlisle, Southwell and Navan.
Carlisle Best Bets
Race 2: LASTIN’ MEMORIES (4)
Trainer: Sandy Forster
Jockey: Ryan Mania
Having been scratched from Hexham last week, LASTIN’ MEMORIES can overcome some largely out of form foes in this novices’ handicap chase. The 7yo did nothing wrong when second to Mah Mate Bob on his reappearance at that course, a repeat of which should be enough for him to go one better.
Race 7: FONTAINE COLLONGES (1)
Trainer: Venetia Williams
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
Runners from this stable always need respecting here and even though he carries a penalty for his win in the French provinces FONTAINE COLLONGES looks the one. He’s worked and schooled well since changing stables and has a pedigree that suggests the testing conditions won’t inconvenience him.
Southwell Best Bets
Race 3: SHAN BLUE (5) (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
SHAN BLUE is the proverbial winner without a penalty following his fall when travelling ominously well at Newbury. The 5yo now finds himself with a much more straightforward assignment for a stable that’s firing in the winners. He can take the spoils on the way to better things.
Race 4: BLACKFINCH (3)
Trainer: Stuart Edmunds
Jockey: Ciaran Gethings
The one that takes the eye in this novices’ hurdle is BLACKFINCH who shaped so promisingly on his hurdling debut over this course and distance. He couldn’t hold a candle to the smart Winningseverything but was clear of the rest, while the winner went in again to rubber-stamp the form.
Navan Best Bets
Race 1: BLACKBOW (1)
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
Although a costly failure on his hurdles debut at Naas, BLACKBOW now gets a great chance to go one better equipped with a first time hood. The former top bumper horse chased home stablemate Tornado Flyer at the Punchestown Festival and looks different class to his rivals.
Race 4: EL DITE (14)
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
EL DITE was returning from a more than two-year absence when fourth to Elixir D’Ainay on her hurdles debut at Naas, and although beaten more than 20 lengths was given an educational ride. The run should have taught her sufficient to take this in her stride.
