Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Catterick Bridge , Ludlow , Perth, Taunton and Lingfield on 23 April 2025.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 3 No2 BELGRAVIAN (Nap)
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: PJ McDonald
In a weak maiden BELGRAVIAN can take the spoils. He’s been a beaten favourite on both career starts but should enjoy the step up in trip, while he is his bang in form trainer’s only runner on the card.
Race 7 No6 PROTEST RALLY
Trainer: Liam Bailey – Jockey: Billy Garritty
PROTEST RALLY narrowly failed to defy an absence of over 200 days when second over course and distance earlier in the month. He competes from a 1lb higher mark but as he’s greatly benefitted from the run he should overcome it and go one better.
LUDLOW
Race 1 No3 STAR ARTIST (Nap)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Jonathan Burke
More Coko showed he can be vulnerable when turned over as a 1-8 shot at Plumpton and might be worth opposing with STAR ARTIST, whose trainer does well with his small team of jumpers. The Nap forged well clear on the Exeter run in to open his account, and while he will need to improve from that to beat his odds-on rival, he can.
Race 3 No2 TOMMYS CHARM
Trainer: Kerry Lee – Jockey: Richard Patrick
TOMMYS CHARM appeared to get every yard of the trip when denied at Wincanton last time and there are no stamina doubts about him over this easy three miles. There are few miles on his racing clock, suggesting he can go forward and post a second career win.
Race 6 No6 THE EGYPTIAN GINGE
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Mr Jamie Neild
When finishing fourth in a Kempton bumper THE EGYTIAN GINGE had some well regarded foes in front of him. As it was only his third career start there should be more to come, while this race has cut up in his favour.
PERTH
Race 1 No5 KEVIN’S PRIDE (Nap)
Trainer: John McConnell – Jockey: JJ Slevin
KEVIN’S PRIDE looks a tempting proposition in the race that kicks off a Perth Festival that bears more significance than usual. The heated battle for the trainers’ title between Wille Mullins and Dan Skelton will alight the Scone Park course but in the opener they are conspicuous in their absence and it should prove to look towards KEVIN’S PRIDE to do the business. The bumper winner has hit the woodwork on all three hurdling starts and should gain a deserved change of luck here.
Race 2 No6 BASHERS REFLECTION (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Case – Jockey: J M Quinlan
A breathing operation has brought about some improvement from BASHERS REFLECTION who after a shaky start has conquered the rudiments of jumping fences. He put in a particularly good effort when third to Bad at Kempton last time, and should find this track to his liking.
Race 3 No7 JIG’S FORGE (Each Way)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Ben Jones
JIG’S FORGE contended for much of the way in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham before weakening yet finishing an honourable sixth as a 125-1 no hoper. The Westerner gelding is well regarded by his trainer, and if employing similarly enterprising tactics could prove hard to catch.
Race 5 No3 PARISENCORE
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Danny McMenamin
PARISENCORE ran Harper’s Brook to a neck in Wetherby’s Castleford Chase at Christmas since when he’s enjoyed a mid season break. He’d proved very strong in the market, and now returns to a venue where he’s won over hurdles and fences, and never fares badly. He should with a win show that those losses were merely lent.
TAUNTON
Race 5 No7 EL GAVILAN
Trainer: Clive Boultbee-Brook – Jockey: Adam Wedge
This handicap hurdle can see EL GAVILÁN enjoying a welcome change of luck. As a four-year-old taking on older horses he receives weight from his foes, while his form has take a noticeable step up with podium finishes on each of his last three outings. He just needs to show that he can act on this better ground.
Race 6 No5 BOB BISHOP (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
Having troubled the judge on his only start over course and distance, BOB BISHOP looks the route to goal. He’s beautifully bred for National Hunt, and with improvement on the cards can prove too strong for Top Tier Gossip.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 4 No8 GHAIYYA (Nap)
Trainer: Charlie Johnston – Jockey: S D Bowen
It’s hard to look away from GHAIYYA, who was doing her best work at the finish over a mile and a quarter at Newcastle and should be suited by the 400 metres extra yardage today. The Ghaiyyath filly is the clear pick based on what she achieved that day.
Race 7 No7 PHOENIX MOON
Trainer: Denis Coakley – Jockey: Tyler Heard
PHOENIX MOON ended the 2024 campaign with two successes at this course from her last four outings. She remains at the 1200 metres trip for this first run of the season as well as at the bottom tier of the handicap ladder. Should the progression she showed be repeated she will prove hard to beat.
