Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Lingfield Park, Newcastle, Market Rasen and Kempton on 29 March 2023.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 1 No1 ENGELBERT (Nap)
Trainer: James Ferguson – Jockey: Ross Coakley
ENGELBERT takes a 5lb penalty into this seven furlongs handicap but should have sufficient improvement under his belt to endorse his early-year promise and show with a follow-up success that he could be a fair bit better than his mark.
Race 2 No5 SUZI’S CONNOISSEUR
Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam – Jockey: Tommie Jakes
Veteran SUZI’S CONNOISSEUR is well positioned one off the rail to obtain a handy position and show that he’s no back number. His success of a month ago has provided him with a real boost and granted an uninterrupted run-through in the home straight he should make a good fist of following up.
Race 7 No7 WATERLOO SUNSET (Each Way)
Trainer: Denis Coakley – Jockey: George Bass
Bass was on board for WATERLOO SUNSET’s only career success at this course last June. The Adaay gelding has hidden his light under a bushel subsequently, and though this is his first run since the autumn he should have something more to give under a jockey that knows him.
NEWCASTLE
Race 2 No1 BALLYBEG BOSS (Nap)
Trainer: Donald McCain Jnr – Jockey: Brian Hughes
BALLYBEG BOSS performed as if he didn’t stay when beaten a long way into second by Altobelli at Carlisle and it’s no surprise to see his connections bringing the Libertarian gelding back to two miles at the same course. In what is by no means a one-horse contest, he can get the better of Cold Sobar whose chances are impaired by a penalty.
Race 4 No3 CASTLE RUSHEN
Trainer: Nicky Richards – Jockey: Brian Hughes
If Adrimel brings his A-game to the table he is the likely winner, but another horse going back over hurdles from fences that could have his measure is CASTLE RUSHEN. Although failing to complete in two of his four chase outings the selection should enjoy the change of discipline, and his record as a hurdler reads 11232, making him a doughty foe for the best of these
Race 7 No8 JAMIL (Each Way)
Trainer: Miss T Jackson – Jockey: Brian Hughes
JAMIL looked to be running into some form when troubling the judge at Wetherby last week. He’s shown in the past that he improves for the sunshine and that he can be a force both over hurdles and on the Flat.
MARKET RASEN
Race 3 No1 SKYTASTIC
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
SKYTASTIC can show his lacklustre Doncaster run in early January to be all wrong, with the gelding sparking a big day for his trainer. Unbeaten in bumpers and only one beaten over hurdles, he needs to re-write the script that has seen him well beaten in both outings since going chasing. He’s looked upon as a horse that could go a long way and his stable could hardly be in better form.
Race 5 No3 HALONDO (Nap)
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Sean Bowen
HALONDO did us a good turn when hacking up at this track where he was completely dominant in the final half mile. The performance was a sign that handicaps are going to bring out the best in him, and over this longer trip he can prove too strong for Jubilee Express.
Race 7 No5 KATATE DORI
Trainer: Sam Thomas – Jockey: San Twiston-Davies
The nicest horse on view in the bumper is KATATE DORI, who stuck to the task well but still managed to be mugged by Bowenspark at Warwick. His jockey looked to have everything in the field covered and will rue the fact he got beat, but in what is perhaps a slightly better race he can now outpoint Booster Bob.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 3 No1 ALPHA ZULU (Nap)
Trainer: James Ferguson – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
ALPHA ZULU was backed as if defeat was out of the question, only to run into Hello Queen at Newcastle at the start of the month. That was the Zoustar colt’s first visit to a racecourse, and he will strip a lot more knowing as he tries to regain the losses.
Race 4 No5 GOLDEN PASSPORT
Trainer: Ed Walker – Jockey: William Buick
Acclamation colt GOLDEN PASSPORT might have just needed his first run on the year when third to Imperial Ace at Newcastle. It should have provided a platform from which he can progress for a stable that does well with its three-year-old sprinters.
Race 5 No1 RHYTHM MASTER
Trainer: James Horton – Jockey: PJ McDonald
RHYTHM MASTER can be a law unto himself, though there has never been any doubting the ability of the five-year-old who is good returning from a break. He posted a good run when last seen in a Doncaster Listed race last November, and won the first of just two outings on the all-weather at Newcastle last June. Furthermore, even though he carries joint top weight, only 7lb splits the selection and paper favourite Mount Athos.
