Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Thursday’s racing at Newbury, Market Rasen and Sedgefield.
Newbury Best Bet
Race 1: WESTBROOK BERTIE (5)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: Harry Reed
Having been in good form on the Flat, WESTBROOK BERTIE could take some pegging back should his pilot ride him aggressively on this return to hurdling. He proved a model of consistency in juvenile hurdles last season and should rain arrive and bring about a deterioration in underfoot conditions it won’t bother him.
Race 3: CHAMP (2)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Barry Geraghty
CHAMP always had a lot to live up to but so far he’s delivered in style. He was a major contributor to his trainer’s impressive haul last season, finishing second at Cheltenham and winning at Aintree and displaying a liking for cut in the ground. He’s proved adept in his schooling ahead of this chase debut and is undoubtedly the most interesting horse in action at the course’s first jumps fixture of the season.
Race 7: SON OF CAMAS (11)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
This looks a strongly patronised bumper with a couple of the field bringing strong pointing form to the table. However, the one to be on is SON OF CAMAS. He’s got a bit to prove after being tailed off last in a similar contest at the Punchestown Festival but he started 2-1 favourite for that 19-runner affair and is held in high regard. He’s worked well ahead of this reappearance and is a horse to follow.
Market Rasen Best Bets
Race 2: WHO’S THE BOSS (9)
Trainer: Stuart Edmunds
Jockey: Cieren Gethings
With fitness on her side WHO’S THE BOSS can go well in this mares’ maiden hurdle. She endorsed the promise of her only run last season by chasing home Fricka over this two and a half mile trip at Huntingdon and is now at concert pitch to go one better.
Race 4: BIG DIFFERENCE (5)
Trainer: Ben Pauling
Jockey: Tom Bellamy
With so few miles on the clock and having shown easily his best form when last seen over this course and distance in March, BIG DIFFERENCE might have got into this staying handicap on a decent mark. He’d shown little before that two and a half lengths success over Jurys Out, but it confirmed he is heading in the right direction.
Sedgefield Best Bet
Race 1: STARPLEX (9)
Trainer: Keith Dalgleish
Jockey: Danny McMenamin
There could be plenty of market activity around STARPLEX who comes into this off a good run on the Flat when second at Musselburgh. He shapes like a stayer and this two and threequarter mile trip is sure to suit. His trainer has his jumps team in good order.
Race 4: LEN BRENNAN (3)
Trainer: Tim Vaughan
Jockey: Alan Johns
Although lacking a change of gear, LEN BRENNAN is going to enjoy dropping back in trip after his stamina gave out over three and a quarter miles at Southwell. His front running tactics can be employed to good effect, as there are no other pacesetters in the field, meaning he can get onto an easy lead.
