Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Haydock Park, Market Rasen and Southwell on 20 March 2024.
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 3 No8 DAMEOFTHECOTSWOLDS
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Four-year-old DAMEOFTHECOTSWOLDS receives weight from her foes in this maiden hurdle after picking up a cheque in all but one of her six starts this season. She takes a class drop after running satisfactorily in a Class two at Haydock, and with track, trip and going to suit can prevail.
Race 4 No2 JUBILEE EXPRESS
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
JUBILEE EXPRESS took a 5lb hike in the ratings for getting beaten by Whydah Gally at Lingfield, having finished third behind the progressive Top Of The Bill at Exeter. The seven-year-old looks to be getting to grips with the rudiments of jumping fences, and appears to have been found a good opportunity to strike.
Race 6 No4 PRESIDENT SCOTTIE (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
The best bet on this card is PRESIDENT SCOTTIE who was handed victory on a plate when a challenging rival fell at the last at Ayr. That horse went on to frank the form, and my Nap ticks all the boxes for this move into handicaps.
MARKET RASEN
Race 3 No4 THEFORMISMIGHTY
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
Fresh from a breathing operation, the lightly-raced THEFORMISMIGHTY can make short work of his foes in this weakly contested maiden hurdle. His trainer and jockey can do nothing wrong, and with a tongue strap fitted for an extra piece of insurance, the gelding is in a good place to deliver.
Race 4 No1 MIDNIGHT GINGER
Trainer: Andrew Martin – Jockey: J Martin
MIDNIGHT GINGER is a reliable individual who jumps well, and should benefit from a step up to three miles. Her recent defeat by Thor De Cerisy was endorsed when the winner went in again as the only finisher at Chepstow on Monday, while this course should play to her strengths.
Race 6 No7 BILLYTHEREALBIGRED (Nap)
Trainer: Oliver Greenall – Jockey: Toby Wynne
BILLYTHEREALBIGRED was handed a 4lb rise when making it two from two in handicap hurdles at Warwick. He was impressive to the extent that the hike is unlikely to prevent him landing a hat-trick for a trainer whose horses are among the winners.
SOUTHWELL
Race 4 No11 MOUNT OLYMPUS (Each Way)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Dual purpose horse MOUNT OLYMPUS has shown he operates well after a break, as was the case when he scored on debut for King at Kempton last May. He then landed back-to-back triumphs at Leicester and Goodwood. Though showing little in two outings over jumps he now has a second outing after a breathing operation, and is worth monitoring in the market.
Race 6 No8 ARLECCHINO’S GIFT
Trainer:Mark Usher – Jockey: Olivia Tubb
ARLECCHINO’S GIFT has been a fine servant to his trainer, posting figures of 33221 this year. He finished second and then won an apprentice handicap at Wolverhampton with Tubb in the hot seat, and the combination are taken to consolidate in spite of having a high draw to contend with.
