Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Haydock Park, Taunton and Wolverhampton on 30 December 2025
HAYDOCK PARK
Race 2 No2 CAPTAIN HUGO
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Sean Houlihan
CAPTAN HUGO caught a tartar when beaten at odds-on in a three horse affair at Aintree, but the chestnut is out to show he’s still a contender for high honours in a race he will start a worthy favourite for. His tendency to take a keen hold ultimately cost him that day, though the winner Taurus Bay is also thought to be ultra smart.
Race 4 No3 SKI LODGE (Nap)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
SKI LODGE had SOUL SOLUTION behind him when second on his debut over fences at Uttoxeter. While the latter will be all the better fitness wise for that run, my selection has also benefitted greatly from it, and as a course winner will be hard to stop back on familiar territory.
Race 6 No4 REGAL BLUE (Each Way)
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
This stable provided us with a well supported winner on Sunday and REGAL BLUE has to be given a market check in a long distance chase that has cut up. While he’s been pulled up on four of his last six outings the eight-year-old was a winner on the occasions he completed, and now returns after a breathing operation. Given how hot the O’Neills are when the money’s down he is very interesting.
Race 7 No6 STONER’S CHOICE (Each Way)
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien – Jockey: Fern O’Brien
STONER’S CHOICE is most effective when being given his head to serve it up from the front. It’s therefore a little bewildering why in recent outings he’s been restrained. There’s not much to recommend him on what he’s done so far this season, but if more ambitious tactics are employed he can do better.
TAUNTON
Race 2 No1 KNOCK OFF SOXS (Each Way)
Trainer: Kayley Woollacott – Jockey: Harry Cobden
Point winner KNOCK OFF SOXS opened his account under Rules over two miles here earlier on the month and should benefit from stretching out on the distance ladder. The Shirocco gelding looks useful, and might represent value against paper favourite Le Beau Madrik.
Race 3 No5 BERTIE WOOSTER
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
BERTIE WOOSTER chased home Kap Vert over course and distance last time, with the winner then running creditably at Kempton. The seven-year-old is taking his time to win as a chaser, but this looks another good opportunity, with FAT FACED COLUMBO an obvious danger.
Race 5 No2 MASK OF ZORRO
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
In what I hope will prove a good day for the Tizzards, MASK OF ZORRO can complete a hat-trick in this three mile handicap hurdle. He’s up 6lb for a recent Fontwell success where despite getting close to a couple he went readily clear on the run-in. He’s in good heart, and can keep up the good work.
Race 6 No2 WEST ORCHARD (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
One I’m looking forward to back over fences is WEST ORCHARD. A four times winner over fences, he gave it a good shot on seasonal return at Wincanton when chasing home Happy Returns in an hurdle and should now be spot on. He’s a good jumper who travels well, and having won three of his four starts last season is definitely a horse to follow.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 2 No2 HAVANA JAG
Trainer: Dylan Cunha – Jockey: George Wood
The lightly raced HAVANA JAG has gained useful experience of Dunstall Park in taking away a cheque on her last two of four career starts. She showed good all round pace after being hampered on her latest outing, and can handle this step up to 1200 metres for a trainer doing well with his AW team.
Race 3 No9 PAPA COCKTAIL (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
PAPA COCKTAIL couldn’t quite cut the mustard when last competing at this level, but in the final race before the Christmas break (Class 4) he ran a cracker to beat all but outsider Accrual. He should get a strong pace to aim at and has a good draw, making him the value play in an admittedly better race.
Race 4 No8 SEEING STARS (Nap)
Trainer: William Knight – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
Bated Breath filly SEEING STARS came within an ace of delivering on debut here and is strongly fancied to go one better. She showed natural speed to serve it up to her opponents and will have tightened up for the run. She is drawn inside her market rival QUEEN SANA, which can also help tip the balance of the scales in her favour.
