Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Fontwell Park, Catterick Bridge and Kempton Park on 6 March 2024.
FONTWELL PARK
Race 3 No4 ISOCRATE
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
ISOCRATE upped his game when putting in a career-best to finish second in novice company at Sandown and now gets a chance to build on it for a stable whose horses are running nicely into form. His main threat on paper is Nachtgeist, though I would recommend a market check on newcomer Motazzen, who had decent form on the Flat.
Race 4 No6 WEAVER’S ANSWER (Nap)
Trainer: Tim Vaughan – Jockey: Alan Johns
WEAVER’S ANSWER had his Plumpton race last month in the bag a long way from home, suggesting he will not be fazed by a drop back in trip. He will encounter very testing conditions that have in the past brought out the best in him, and is strongly fancied to follow up under a 7lb penalty.
Race 6 No7 STAFF SERGEANT LEN
Trainer: Anthony Charlton – Jockey: Bradley Harris
While bumpers are not normally my favourite part of National Hunt, I think STAFF SERGEANT LEN is very much the one to beat in the finale. The four-year-old made a big step forward when pipped by Tom Doniphon at this course in January, and would have won but for running green. He figures to be more streetwise on this third career start and can open his account.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 2 No1 MY GIFT TO YOU (Nap)
Trainer: James Owen – Jockey: Mr Alex Chadwick
MY GIFT TO YOU has proved a captain of industry to his connections with a sequence of earning runs that includes four successes this season. Having by-passed an opportunity at Doncaster he can cash in and defy top weight, with Burke an interesting booking for the Nap.
Race 4 No4 HASTON CLERMONT
Trainer: Noel Williams – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
HASTON CLERMONT came within inches of completing a hat-trick against a couple of winning foes at Chepstow to show he remains in the form of his life. The seven-year-old rates another plum ride for Jonathan Burke, who has been on his back throughout the season.
Race 6 No3 JERRYSBACK
Trainer: Ben Haslam – Jockey: Mr John Dawson
Veteran JERRYSBACK showed with back-to-back successes last season that there’s still a tune to be had out of him. In the colours of JP McManus he now embarks down the hunter-chase path, and his trainer appears to have found a good opening for him at a course where he posted one of those victories.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 3 No3 WAKE UP HARRY
Trainer: Brian Toomey – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
WAKE UP HARRY has been handed a plum draw for this 1200 metres sprint round a right-handed bend. He advertised his well-being with a second triumph in his last three outings when equipped with first-time blinkers at Wolverhampton, and although that was over a longer trip he is worth trying over shorter for the first time in more than a year.
Race 5 No4 JUNGLE MAC (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Charles Bishop
JUNGLE MAC galloped past trees when breaking his maiden at Chelmsford, a run that is thought to have taken the fizz out of him for this switch to a handicap. Unlucky not to score in his juvenile season, he’s come out of his race well and can stave off the challenge of well-regarded filly Nariko.
Race 6 No6 HEERATHETRACK
Trainer: Mark Usher – Jockey: George Rooke
HEERATHETRACK has a recent course and distance success to his name and again ran well to claim a cheque upped to a mile last time. The grey is back in his comfort zone over this 1400 metres and can bounce back.
