Neil Morrice best bets and tips – Monday 21 April 2025

KEMPTON PARK

Race 2 No6 MILITARY ORDER
Trainer: Charlie Appleby- Jockey: William Buick

THE featured Magnolia Stakes involves a fascinating clash of older horses of whom Godolphin’s MILITARY ORDER can come out on top. He was restricted to just three outings in 2024 resulting in an impressive triumph in the Winter a derby at Lingfield, while he was all at sea on the heavy ground in the Prix d’Harcourt at Longchamp. He’s returning from an absence of more than a year, but granted his liking for a Polytrack surface he should give a good account.

Race 4 No4 METAVERSE (Each Way)
Trainer: David Menuisier – Jockey: Oisin Murphy

There was plenty of on course support for METAVERSE when he returned to action at Doncaster, only for this mercurial performer to pull his way into submission. He needs to be ridden with a kid glove, and if the champion jockey can achieve that he can confirm with a win his liking for this track.

Race 7 No5 FORT AUGUSTUS (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Hills – Jockey: Jason Watson

I hope FORT AUGUSTUS proves a bet worth waiting for in the nightcap. While it was disappointing that he didn’t manage to win in his juvenile season, he put in a career best when second in a nursery here in the autumn, and now brings the best form to the table returned to a novice.

REDCAR

Race 4 No1 MEDIA MOGUL (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: Tom Marquand

MEDIA MOGUL did us a good turn when heavily supported in first time cheek pieces at Wolverhampton. He is moving up the distance ladder for a first outing on grass, but will surely prove hard to beat if he acts on it.

Race 6 No4 BARLEY (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: David Allan

The best value bet of the bank holiday is BARLEY. He ran better than his finishing position indicated on reappearance at this course and is going to be a lot straighter this time.

CHEPSTOW

Race 2 No7 ZAOCHEN ENKI (Nap)
Trainer: Paul Nicholls – Jockey: Freddie Gingell

ZAOCHEN ENKI progressed from a promising first outing under Rules to win easily at Wincanton. He takes on older horses but should take care of business on the way to better things.

Race 7 No1 SINCHI ROCA
Trainer: Anthony Charlton – Jockey: Callum Pritchard

SINCHI ROCA has to shoulder a 7lb penalty for his latest win but this former point winner can remain unbeaten. He faces strong competition from Old Park Star and Can You Hear Me but looks over priced at his forecast odds.

PLUMPTON

Race 1 No2 WARRANTY
Trainer: Sheena West – Jockey: Freddie Mitchell

WARRANTY has been running well without enjoying the rub of the green. However, it was around this time last year that he posted back-to-back succcess on the Flat, while his two visits to Plumpton have seen him run into the money.

Race 2 No1 JPR ONE
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell

The featured Sussex Champion Chase can see top weight JPR ONE returning to winning ways. In a select campaign he took out the Haldon Gold Cup on a first run after a breathing operation, ran a blinder behind Jonbon in the Tingle Creek and was far from disgraced competing under a big weight in the Grand Annual. I think this tight track should suit him ideally, and if near his paper price is definitely worth backing.

Race 6 No5 MOONSHINE MAN (Nap)
Trainer: Henrietta Knight – Jockey: Brendan Powell

MOONSHINE MAN takes the eye and can gain a first success under Rules if delaying his challenge until late. He traded very short in running on his latest start at Southwell where he didn’t appear keen to put the race to bed. He’s a very good prospect and just needs to show on the track what he produces at home.

WOLVERHAMPTON

Race 7 No9 DIAMOND COTTAGE (Each Way)
Trainer: Malcolm Saunders – Jockey: William Carson

DIAMOND COTTAGE makes a rare visit to the AW more than 18 months since her last outing on sand which happened here in the autumn of 2023. The mare isn’t getting any younger, but it’s easy to pick holes in her rivals and she can end a losing run stretching back to her three race success at Brighton.