Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Uttoxeter, AYR and Newcastle on 09 December 2025.
UTTOXETER
Race 3 No1 BARON NOIR (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
BARON NOIR took a tall home reputation with him to Warwick, where on a first outing over jumps he ran into the equally smart Cristal D’Estruval. He was a bumper scorer at Punchestown last season and is worth following in spite of that odds-on defeat. This time he faces a promising foe in BOBBY’S NELSON, who should form the flip side of the exacta.
Race 4 No6 SKI LODGE
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
The same owner/trainer/jockey combo can strike with SKI LODGE, whose move to fences after a good comeback run over hurdles looks a smart move. The selection showed promise as a pointer and has schooled well at Barbury Castle. He represents better value than hat-trick seeking SOLE SOLUTION, whose stable hasn’t quite got into gear despite picking up a couple of Graded chases.
Race 5 No9 SEEET HONEY B (Each Way)
Trainer: Clive Boultbee-Brooks – Jockey: Richard Patrick
In a deep race, SWEET HONEY B could make a splash as one of two interesting horses returning from enforced breaks of more than 700 days. She regularly troubled the judge in novice hurdles including a good effort at Wetherby, and if fit after her lay off can do so again. JIAIR MADRIK is an almost identical candidate whose progress is also worth noting, especially if he’s popular in the market.
Race 6 No4 HARD DEALT
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Walk In The Park mare HARD DEALT needed her first run back at Exeter where she tired in the closing stages. She was a well backed winner over two and a half miles at Worcester on her previous start in a novice hurdle, and is the type to do well in handicaps.
AYR
Race 2 No1 COUNTRY CODE
Trainer: Ruth Jefferson – Jockey: Jamie Hamilton
Although he has to carry a 7lb penalty, COUNTRY CODE can parry the challenges of a couple of equally capable rivals in this two and a half mile novices hurdle. The Workforce gelding backed up the promise shown in Irish points by landing some good bets on Rules debut at Newcastle. It’s difficult to know how much more he will find, but he’s clearly talented.
Race 5 No4 TRUCKERS CRUISING (Nap)
Trainer: Gordon Elliott – Jockey: Danny Gilligan
TRUCKERS CRUISING relished the return to fences to romp in over course and distance when popular in the market. Under a 7lb penalty he should back it up, and for a yard that was in unstoppable form in Ireland over the weekend.
Race 7 No8 KING GRIS
Trainer: Gordon Elliott – Jockey: Danny Gilligan
KING GRIS is a similar entity save for the fact he’s running over hurdles. He scored with plenty up his sleeve on handicap debut last week and can form the clinching leg of an Elliott double in the nightcap.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No4 SEE THAT SPARK (Nap)
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: PJ McDonald
SEE THAT SPARK gave a good account on an earning first AW run over six furlongs here last month to back up the promise of his previous third at Doncaster. This drop back to 1000 metres shouldn’t pose him any problems, and he’s now cherry ripe to get the job done.
Race 6 No3 CONCERT BOY
Trainer: Katie Scott – Jockey: Darragh Keenan
CONCERT BOY gave us a good run for our money here last week when heavily backed. He made a bold bid to kick away, only to be nabbed in the final strides as the principals pulled clear. With a deserved success over a longer trip tonight he can recoup those losses.
Race 9 No7 ARLINGTON
Trainer: Bryan Smart – Jockey: C Orr
ARLINGTON has posted two successes and been placed in five occasions from his last eight all-weather starts. He’s a dual scorer at this track, and can play the consistency card to good effect in the finale.
