Neil Morrice provides tips for Wednesday’s British race meetings at Newbury, Plumpton and Southwell on 19/01/2022.
NEWBURY -19/01/2022
Race 1 No11 SPEECH BUBBLE (Each Way)
Trainer: Noel Williams – Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
SPEECH BUBBLE might have won on her jumps debut at Lingfield but for some sloppy jumping. Second in a Sandown Listed bumper and a well backed winner of a similar contest at Ffos Las, she can give paper favourite Tweed Skirt plenty to think about.
Race 4 No7 FINE CASTING (Nap)
Trainer: Ben Pauling – Jockey: Kielan Woods
One of the best looking horses on view at this meeting, FINE CASTING can make an impact on this handicap bow. He landed the odds in taking style when odds-on for a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las, and looks the type to do better in this sphere.
Race 6 No3 GRAN LUNA
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
Fresh from a bumper haul last Saturday, Henderson’s best chance of a winner at his local course lies with GRAN LUNA. The lightly-raced mare made it three wins from only five outings over hurdles over course and distance last month, has taken those exertions in her stride and can follow-up.
PLUMPTON – 19/01/2022
Race 2 No2 BAREST OF MARGINS (Each Way)
Trainer: Mick Channon – Jockey: Conor O’Farrell
BAREST OF MARGINS didn’t stay on hurdling debut here when no match for Minella Buster, but if settling can gain a deserved first win under Rules now taken back to two miles. Being by Shirocco he will enjoy the testing conditions.
Race 3 No4 TOP AND DROP (Nap)
Trainer: Venetia Williams – Jockey: Ned Fox
TOP AND DROP made all to come out of the fog in front of The Toojumpa at Wetherby on her first outing in ten months. The veteran will be hard to beat if able to adopt similar tactics around this tight track.
SOUTHWELL – 19/01/2022
Race 1 No1 THE TRON (Nap)
Trainer: Derek Shaw – Jockey: Morgan Cole
THE TRON took advantage of stall one when scoring over course and distance last week before overcoming a wide berth to follow-up at Wolverhampton. The grey has again drawn well for this return to Southwell, and can complete a quick-fire hat-trick.
Race 5 No1 OKAIDI
Trainer: Tony Carroll – Jockey: Luke Morris
OKAIDI has knocked on the door on his last two visits to Wolverhampton and now tries the newly laid Tapeta surface at Southwell for the first time. With top all-weather rider Morris in the plate he can deservedly go one better.
Race 6 No9 THE GAME OF LIFE (Each Way)
Trainer: Michael Herrington – Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
THE GAME OF LIFE hasn’t been lucky with the draw, but after a second near miss in as many starts this year at Chelmsford can react favourably to a first visit to Southwell.
Race 8 No4 OLYMPIC EAGLE
Trainer: Clive Cox – Jockey: John Fahy
OLYMPIC EAGLE can play the experience card to good effect in this novice stakes. The Gleneagles colt made earning efforts in all but one of his five outings last year, when three times a beaten favourite. He can put his best foot forwards here on a first visit to this track, and first outing on Tapeta.
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