Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Newcastle, Sedgefield, Warwick and Redcar on 5 November 2024.
NEWCASTLE
Race 5 No2 ZOUZANNA (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Charlton – Jockey: Finley Marsh
ZOUZANNA hasn’t always this season found as much at the finish as it looked like she would, but the Zoustar filly made no mistake when dropped into a Class 4 at Newmarket, posting a first win since joining her trainer. She also appeared to relish returning to today’s trip of a mile, making her hard to oppose in this race which has cut up in her favour.
Race 6 No8 VARIETY ISLAND
Trainer: Simon Whitaker – Jockey: Joe Fanning
VARIETY ISLAND has posted a number of podium finishes since her only success of 2024 at Catterick in the spring. All but two of his all-weather appearances have happened at this course, and his latest offering when fourth in a newly equipped visor indicates he could have a say in this open heat.
SEDGEFIELD
Race 3 No2 WILL KNOTT (Nap)
Trainer: William Coltherd – Jockey: Sam Coltherd
In a strictly two-horse affair WILL KNOTT can beat Charging Thunder. The Nap broke his duck over hurdles with a wide-margin delivery over a slightly shorter trip at this course last month in which he extended his lead all the way to the line. In contrast, Charging Thunder took a while to warm to his task when winning at Fakenham, in a race that appeared to fall into his lap.
Race 6 No4 VANILLA DANCER (Each Way)
Trainer: Chris Grant – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
VANILLA DANCER was possibly a bit rusty when returning from a three-month absence to trouble the judge at Hexham on only her fifth run over hurdles. She won and was placed in two bumper starts at this track and took away a cheque in two runs over hurdles here. That good course record can assist her claims in an open finale
WARWICK
Race 3 No3 SKYCUTTER (Nap)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
In a race that remembers former champion jockey Stan Mellor the advice is to row in with SKYCUTTER, who was a regular earner at a high level in handicap hurdles in his first season with the Skeltons. His only real blip came in a fiercely competitive race at the Aintree Grand National meeting, but more to the point he has always looked the type who would find his forte when switched to fences, as he is today.
Race 4 No5 KOLISI
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Jack Tudor
KOLISI came back from a breathing operation to go close in each of his races over hurdles in the summer of 2023 but then endured training issues. He was well held in a comeback outing on the Flat last month, but that has served to bring him closer to the boil for a return to jumping.
Race 7 No5 TOUCHWOODEXPRESS
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
TOUCHWOODEXPRESS upped his game when reappearing over fences and wearing first time cheek pieces at Huntingdon. The chestnut is higher in the weights for that cosy conversion, but if in similar mood should make it two from two in the colours of his trainer.
REDCAR
Race 3 No3 KING’S SCHOLAR
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Billy Loughnane
KING’S SCHOLAR was strongly supported and ran out a runaway winner at this level at Catterick last week. His connections are naturally keen to strike while the iron’s hot, and he should follow-up under a 6lb penalty.
Race 7 No8 GLASTONBURY (Nap)
Trainer: James Fanshawe – Jockey: Kaiya Fraser
The application of cheek pieces and a switch to a testing grass surface helped contribute to GLASTONBURY’s first career success at Yarmouth last month. It was a big step up for the Showcasing gelding, who can rattle off a repeat for owners Fred Archer Racing.
