Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your Sandown Park, Wincanton, Newcastle , Lingfield Park and Southwell on 3 January 2025.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 2 No5 SIAM PARK (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
This stable has by its high standards been quiet over the holiday period, but it posted a good winner for us at Taunton and SIAM PARK can prove another stepping stone back to form. He’s a progressive individual who jumps well and appeals as the perfect type for this course at which sound jumping is at a premium.
Race 3 No1 NORTH LODGE (Each Way)
Trainer: Alan King – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
Although he hasn’t run in almost two years, NORTH LODGE is well worth a market check. The bumper and novice hurdle winner troubled the judge in a Grade 1 at Aintree in the spring of 2022, and though appearing only once subsequently is clearly a talented individual who can prove worth the wait.
Race 4 No4 TRIPLE TRADE
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Brendan Powell
TRIPLE TRADE has shown himself in two starts at Cheltenham this season to be as good as ever. He stayed on strongly up the final hill to score in soft ground at the Paddy Power fixture before chasing home David’s Well and stablemate JPR zone in a better race last month. This track and the better ground should play to his strengths.
WINCANTON
Race 1 No1 ELDORADO ALLEN (Nap)
Trainer: Joe Tizzard – Jockey: Jack Tudor
ELDORADO ALLEN is never more effective than when returning from a break, mirrored by his success on seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham. The grey made a good fist of it on a return visit to Prestbury Park when third to the progressive Can You Call, and I fancy him to dominate this three horse affair under top weight.
Race 5 No7 CALL ME LEGEND
Trainer: Philip Hobbs – Jockey: Mr Jack Stenhouse
CALL ME LEGEND has knocked on the door this season by taking away a cheque in each of his four appearances. The bumper winner is weighted to again get into the shake-up on just a sixth start for his trainer.
NEWCASTLE
Race 3 No1 KNOWMOREDIAMONDS (Nap)
Trainer: Lucinda Russell – Jockey: Alan Doyle
KNOWMOREDIAMONDS looked unfortunate to be reeled in when making his bid for glory too soon at Haydock. He’s back into novice company as the clear pick if able to reproduce that form, and should make no mistake.
Race 5 No8 AIRE SPRAY (Each Way)
Trainer: Sue Smith – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Sheehan is an eye taking booking for AIRE SPRAY who has improved from race to race in three outings this season. The Berkshire gelding reacted well to the addition of cheek pieces when second at this course last month and has conditions in his favour to go one better.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 3 No4 MASKATTO
Trainer: Andrew Balding- Jockey: Oisin Murphy
MASKATTO looked to be getting the hang of things when second on his final race of 2025 at Southwell. The son of Derby winner Masar has a tough draw to circumnavigate, but with the champion jockey on his back has to go well.
Race 5 No9 DUBAI HARBOUR
Trainer: Pat Phelan – Jockey: Rhys Clutterbuck
DUBAI HARBOUR looked on the way back when chasing home an impressive winner here last month to look n the cusp of a return to the winners’ circle. His last nine starts have happened at this course, while both his career successes were recorded here.
Race 6 No4 WESTCOMBE (Nap)
WESTCOMBE is a horse to follow out of Heath House Stables and looks on course to complete a fine hat-trick. He was the pick of the unexposed staying types I viewed at that yard back in March, and has shown his potential with successes at Kempton and Wolverhampton. He should readily keep up the good work on his first visit here.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No6 DARTREY (Nap)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett – Jockey: Edward Greatrex
DARTREY showed how much he has benefitted from being gelded by winning convincingly here on New Year’s Day. He’s a very well related individual that can greatly benefit from a step up in trip, and can stave off the attentions of Dagger Style.
Race 2 No9 AMICA (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Nicola Currie
AMICA has run well on each of her three outings since joining the Channon stable. She’s in the right grade to get into the shake-up at an attractive price, and importantly looks to have the perfect draw three off the fence.
Race 6 No8 REMI MAE
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: PJ McDonald
REMI MAE upped her game when second at Haydock to show this trip holds no perils for her. She’s worked well on an AW surface at home, and can take full advantage of the 12lb she receives from the penalised Jungle Ruler.
