Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from UK Racing at Newbury, Ludlow and Lingfield.
Newbury Best Bets
Race 2: SHISHKIN (16)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Having landed this for each of the last two years Henderson looks to have the ready-made answer again in SHISHKIN who has all the cards in his favour. He looked a more than useful novice last season and has been given plenty of time to develop and mature. He’s been going great guns at home and can make this the third win from only four starts.
Race 3: JAMMY GEORGE (5)
Trainer: Harry Whittington
Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Having frustratingly unseated his rider at the first fence last time, JAMMY GEORGE can bounce back in this novices’ limited handicap chase. He’s been given intensive schooling since that reverse and should find the track, trip and ground ideal.
Race 4: GRACEFUL LEGEND (4)
Trainer: Ben Case
Jockey: Kielan Woods
Though starting at 16-1, GRACEFUL LEGEND ran out a most decisive scorer in heavy ground at Bangor last time where she jumped her rivals into the ground. She now finds herself in a four-cornered tactical game of wits but is in such good order another win is on the cards.
Race 5: THE BIG BREAKAWAY (2)
Trainer: Colin Tizzard
Jockey: Robbie Power
This normally throws up a decent prospect and there are few who fit that bill better than THE BIG BREAKAWAY who was hugely impressive on his debut over hurdles at Chepstow. He drifted markedly in the betting but this wasn’t in any way reflected in his performance, as he smoothly powered clear of Blackjack Kentucky. He might have cost a king’s ransom, but it would take a brave man to say it wasn’t money well spent.
Ludlow Best Bets
Race 4: HATCHER (2)
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
When the rangy HATCHER gets into a jumping rhythm from the front he’s hard to peg back, as was the case when he went all the way over course and distance last month, beating Master Work easily. He’s gone up in the weights but with similar underfoot conditions prevalent can confirm his superiority over that rival.
Race 7: LEX ELEVEN (14)
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
The Skeltons can make it a double with LEX ELEVEN who created a favourable impression when runner-up on her debut at Sedgefield and has improved mentally for that. She was noticeably easy to back but showed she has ability, whilst her ability to handle the conditions is tried and tested.
Lingfield Best Bets
Race 2: TALKING ABOUT YOU (12) (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Charles Bishop
A slow developer that didn’t make it to the track last season, TALKING ABOUT YOU has a lot to prove after finishing last on his belated introduction at Chelmsford but horses from this stable are prone to take a big step forward on their second outings. He has a good draw and at a huge price could get into the money.
Race 5: SHIMMERING (12)
Trainer: John Gosden
Jockey: Rab Havlin
SHIMMERING went into the notebook when a stong finishing third behind Jaariyah on her debut at Kempton. She put in some sterling work when the penny dropped and is now wiser. She will be hard to beat.
Written by Neil Morrice for Hollywoodbets
