Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Saturday 30 March 2024

HAYDOCK PARK

Race 2 No8 MR MACKAY (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies

Strong traveller Brentford Hope is respected at the top of the weights but there might be better value in MR MACKAY, who ran well to chase home the useful Mr Freedom at Plumpton and is getting the best part of two stone from the favourite. The selection has been on the go since the autumn, but looks in just as good form as when he started the campaign.

Race 3 No9 PICANHA (Each Way)
Trainer: Richard Phillips – Jockey: Finn Lambert

PICANHA was the last horse to come off the bridle when taking home a minor cheque at Newbury which was his first outing in almost two years. It augers well for a bountiful end to the current campaign for this talented gelding, who if avoiding the bounce factor has a big earning chance with track, trip and ground to suit. As a second bet in this race, I shall be on ASTRONOMIC VIEW who did us a favour when coming home unchallenged at Warwick and should again be in the shake-up.

Race 6 No3 KEABLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Mr Ben Sutton

Although his challenge petered out over the last couple of flights, KEABLE displayed a deal of promise on his return from a year on the sidelines at Taunton. With only four outings under his belt, this novice is as dark as they come, and needs monitoring for a market move.

CARLISLE

Race 3 No2 MR BRAMLEY (Nap)
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe – Jockey: Conor O’Farrell

O’Keeffe can occasionally uncover a decent jumper and in MR BRAMLEY he has another good prospect. The six-year-old made no mistake on his first run over hurdles when downing the odds-on Guard The Moon. That followed a couple of very good bumper runs and if repeated will see him back in the winners’ circle.

Race 7 No4 FOLLOW CHARLIE
Trainer: Michael Smith – Jockey: Ben Smith

FOLLOW CHARLIE has gone 141 since being ridden by his capable amateur jockey and has earned in all but one of his six outings since joining his trainer. In current mood, he figures to carry on the good work, and a track that will suit his style of racing.

MUSSELBURGH

Race 2 No1 NORTHERN EXPRESS (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Dods – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan

NORTHERN EXPRESS contested some of the big handicaps last season but when running in the Ayr Gold Cup it was his first attempt at six furlongs. Back to his optimum distance of 1400 metres the top weight can pack a punch against the unexposed Poet Master, a winner of three of his four starts.

Race 4 No3 CHILLINGHAM (Each Way)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Callum Rodriguez

CHILLINGHAM gave his connections plenty of cheer in 2023 when rarely failing to trouble the judge. The one occasion that he underwhelmed was when exaggerated hold-up tactics didn’t work for him in the November Handicap at Newcastle, but he bounced back to go down fighting on his final outing of the year at Wolverhampton. He won on his seasonal reappearance last year, and is a stayer worth following this season, including today.

Race 5 No2 FLICKERING HALO (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan

FLICKERING HALO was unconsidered in the market when placed in successive visits to Southwell and now tries his hand on grass for the first time since his arrival in the UK. Stepping up slightly in trip, he has the scope for progression to give paper favourite Clockwatcher plenty to think about.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 1 No7 TIGER BEETLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Mark Rimell – Jockey: Rob Hornby

TIGER BEETLE is a horse poised to return to the winner’s circle and this could easily be D-Day for him. The Camelot gelding didn’t enjoy the best of runs when taking away a minor cheque behind Fox Flame at Southwell but was beaten less than two lengths. He drops back in trip and if enjoying the rub of the green has a big earning chance.

Race 6 No5 EGOISTE (Each Way)
Trainer: David Menuisier – Jockey: Kyle Strydom

After a string of good efforts when he troubled the judge EGOISTE gained a deserved first victory of 2024 at this course when he withheld King Of Speed by a short head. Drawn inside his rival in this rematch, the five-year-old can confirm his superiority, with H Key Sails also carded to get into the argument.

Place Accumulator Perm (Races 1-7)

7, 10 x 1, 9 x 3 x 3, 8, 5 x 2, 7, 9, 8 x 5, 3 x 5, 9

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