Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Newmarket, Cheltenham, Beverley, and Ffos Las on 16 April 2025.
NEWMARKET
Race 3 BLANDFORD BLOODSTOCK ABERNANT STAKES (Group 3)
No1 APOLLO ONE (Each Way)
Trainer: Peter Charalambous – Jockey: Danny Tudhope
A fascinating sprint could produce a minor upset and at a price I fancy APOLLO ONE to prove the best value. Andre Fabre’s SAJIR and the unexposed Godolphin filly ROMANTIC STYLE command respect but APOLLO ONE looked to come of age with his eye taking success when last seen in the Group 3 Bengough Stakes at Ascot last autumn. He’s not getting any younger, but can during the coming season Bridge that divide between being a handicapper and a proper Group class horse.
Race 4 BET365 CRAVEN STAKES (Group 3)
No9 WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE
Trainer: James Owen – Jockey: Harry Davies
This recognised trial for the 2,000 Guineas can fall so WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE who has winning form on this terrain, and has been in very good form at home. He took out the Royal Lodge over course and distance before running well for third in the Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster where he chased home Hotazhell and Delacroix. His overall form is as good as anything in the field, and he can solidify his Guineas claims with a comeback triumph.
Race 6 No7 SPANISH VOICE
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
Balding has done especially well with the horses he’s trained for Saeed Suhail over the past couple of seasons and in SPANISH VOICE he has another that can pay its way. The Lope De Vega colt attracted plenty of support on his Kempton introduction in early December, and though beaten into third looked unfortunate after meeting traffic at a vital stage of the contest. He’s done very well through the remainder of the winter, and is one to follow.
Race 7 No5 MISS INFORMATION (Each Way)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: David Probert
MISS INFORMATION enjoyed a purple patch with her Chepstow and Epsom successes at the height of last summer and graduated into the top handicap division with a podium finish at York and another solid run at Ascot. Much of her form was with cut in the ground, but as long as she handles this better going the daughter of Blue Point can be competitive.
CHELTENHAM
Race 1 No6 TOAD HALL
Trainer: Willie Mullins – Jockey: S O’Keeffe
Mullins’ commitment to going all out to land the trainers’ title is apparent with his saddling of progressive novice TOAD HALL and Dr Eggman here. Dr Eggman’s form is working out, but preference is for the former, who ran well in Graded company before opening his account on drying ground at Downpatrick.
Race 2 No9 SPIRITS BAY (Each Way)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
SPIRITS BAY ran well here on his first run of a select campaign when passing everything but the winner in a big move coming down the hill only to run out of puff in the final 50 yards. He’s subsequently performed with equal promise in some very competitive races, including when beaten only five lengths in the Imperial Cup last time. On that occasion he was given plenty to do in the straight, but finished well. This is another strong contest, but granted the rub of the green he’s a winner waiting to happen and the jockey that knows him best is back in the hot seat.
Race 7 No10 BIG BOY BOBBY ( Each Way)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Philip Armson
With a couple of near misses, BIG BOY BOBBY now has an opportunity to set the record straight in this race for conditional jockeys and amateur riders. Since his switch to hurdling he’s rarely failed to take away a cheque, and after those Kempton and Newcastle close calls he’s fresh and fancied for a first outing in seven weeks.
BEVERLEY
Race 5 No3 LIGHTENING MANN (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
On a tough card for punting, LIGHTENING MANN can prove an exception. He returned with a cosy success at Lingfield when in need of the run, and when chasing home Lady Chartwell on handicap bow at Chelmsford came clear of the remainder of the field. There was no disgrace in that performance under top weight, and this race looks to have cut up perfectly for him.
FFOS LAS
Race 3 No2 GAYE LEGACY (Nap)
Trainer: Tom Symonds – Jockey: Caoilin Quinn
GAYE LEGACY needs to turn round Ludlow placings with Felice Du Maquis but looked unlucky to be mugged by that foe, and there’s every chance she can. The Nap represents a very good line of hurdlers and on her third run of the season should be cherry ripe to get the job done.
Race 4 No2 PILSDON PEN (Each Way)
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Lorcan Williams
Having been very easy to back, PILSDON PEN blew up over the last two fences on his return to action at Lingfield. This sound jumper proved a good servant to his connections last season, and having come on a long way for the outing, can get back into the groove.
Race 6 No4 SHOT BOII (Each Way)
Trainer: David Pipe – Jockey: Fergus Gillard
SHOT BOII holds no secrets from the assessor, but he’s a very good jumper who could make a fist of it racing from the front in this stayers’ handicap chase. He’s troubled the judge on several occasions since his previous success, and is now 1lb lower.
