Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Leicester, AYR, and Newcastle on 21 January 2025.
LEICESTER
Race 2 No1 ATLANTIC LAD (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Theo Gillard
There was no surprise ATLANTIC LAD struggled to keep tabs on Excelero at Bangor, though after looking held he rallied gamely to go down in a driving finish. Although he’s had a few chances, the paper favourite should be good enough to open his account.
Race 3 No2 LAND AFAR
Trainer: Kim Bailey – Jockey: Nathan Andrews
LAND AFAR breezed home in a claiming hurdle at Ludlow but was no match for the ultra smart Sixmilebridge at Huntingdon. To get within four lengths of that foe was a fair achievement, and the veteran should return to winning ways now operating in slightly calmer waters.
Race 4 No2 LAZY SUNDAY (Each Way)
Trainer: Robert Mitford-Slade – Jockey: Mickael Nolan
LAZY SUNDAY is getting a bit long in the tooth, but she’s shown on both outings this season that she’s retained plenty of her ability. She’s proved east to back on each occasion, but made Aworkinprogress battle tooth and nail for his success at Lingfield, since when she’s been given a freshening break.
Race 5 No1 ACHILLE DES ROCKS
Trainer: Laura Morgan – Jockey: Adam Wedge
ACHILLE DES ROCKS hasn’t done much wrong since joining his trainer from Ireland, backing up an earning first run at Market Rasen with successes at Southwell and Catterick. He’s taken a hike in the weights but remains a relatively unexposed sort who might not have stopped progressing.
AYR
Race 3 No2 COLD SOBAR
Trainer: William Coltherd – Jockey: Sam Coltherd
COLD SOBAR is a winning Irish pointer who looked to have a big future when landing his first two races over hurdles for his current trainer. After troubling the judge in Grade2 company at Chepstow he was off for 14 months nursing an injury, but there was much to like about his first run over fences when picking up a minor cheque at Carlisle last month. As long as he doesn’t succumb to the bounce factor the eight-year-old can take the spoils.
Race 6 No6 RUBY ISLAND (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Conor Rabbitt
Richards does well with his horses that come off the injury list and RUBY ISLAND can prove a case in point. Her earning effort at Doncaster was a first run out of Greystoke, while a first in nine months and is there to be stepped up on.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No3 JEWEL MAKER
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
It could pay to side with JEWEL MAKER, all of whose six all-weather outings have been at this course. He won once and posted three seconds over the mile, and if in the same form as when last seen before Christmas should be good enough to win this.
Race 4 No2 CUSACK
Trainer: David Thompson – Jockey: Sean Kirrane
CUSACK carries a 4lb penalty for his gritty success over a mile earlier in the month. It was at this time last year that he posted back-to-back triumphs and from a good slot in the gate he holds strong claims to consolidate.
Race 7 No8 STREAK LIGHTNING (Each Way)
Trainer: Ruth Carr – Jockey: Joanna Mason
The flashy STREAK LIGHTNING has knocked on the door with near misses on his last two starts over 1400 metres at this track and is having a ninth consecutive outing at Gosforth Park where he is a four times career winner. Joanna Mason gets on with him and has been in the saddle for the gelding’s last three outings.
