Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing coming your way from Southwell, Nottingham, Catterick Ridge and Kempton Park on 12 April 2023.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 No6 LOUNGE LIZARD
Trainer: Henry Daly – Jockey: San Twiston-Davies
LOUNGE LIZARD absolutely hacked up with Twiston-Davies aboard for the first time at Catterick before skipping a subsequent engagement. Lightly campaigned over fences, he should have more to offer on a left-handed course that is not dissimilar.
Race 2 No3 THELASTHIGHKING (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Jordan Nailor
THELASTHIGHKING was handed an 8lb rise following a decisive triumph at Wincanton, where he reacted positively to a dedication in trip to score unchallenged. His form reads well in the context of this race, and he can thwart top weighted Since Day One.
Race 4 No6 ROGUE QUEEN
Trainer: Harry Whittington- Jockey: Miss Lily Jones
ROGUE QUEEN takes an experience edge over most of her foes into this second division of the mares’ bumper. Her latest offering when fourth at Warwick was in a better race, and she should have the whip hand over Little Miss Dante to give her trainer in his final season a welcome winner.
Race 5 No2 DOM PERRY
Trainer: Hughie Morrison – Jockey: Daryl Jacob
A welter of support preceded DOM PERRY’s race at Ludlow in which he appeared to be full of running early in the home straight only to make an awkward jump and capitulate. Morrison equips him with a tongue strap today, and the device can assist in the gelding showing that he’s far better than that costly flop.
Race 6 No10 SOLDAT FORTE
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon – Jockey: Brian Hughes
On a good card for betting, SOLDAT FORTE can outpoint market rival Great Samourai. The selection has no experience of jumping hurdles in public, but I understand he’s pleased in his schooling, and despite this being a first outing since last September he’s ready for the task in hand.
NOTTINGHAM
Race 2 No3 MUDSKIPPER
Trainer: David Menuisier – Jockey: Benoit De La Sayette
On handicap debut MUDSKIPPER ticks most of the boxes and can prevail for the Lincoln winning trainer/jockey combo. The son of Le Havre finished each of his races well in his juvenile season, and should relish stretching out to a mile and a quarter for this first time.
Race 3 No6 DESPERATE HERO (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
Betweenthesticks keeps the weights down for her stablemate DESPERATE HERO, who can prove the answer to this sprint handicap. The selection was an emphatic winner of his final start in 2022 after earning in each of his previous four outings. The ground will be easier than anything he’s raced on, but he is bred to enjoy it.
Race 4 No6 SERA DAWN (Each Way)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: George Bass
Bated Breath filly SERA DAWN stuck on well for a minor cheque at this course last week and will be fitter for the run. She could up her game to again get into the money at fancy odds.
Race 5 No3 MOJO STAR
Trainer: Richard Hannon – Jockey: Kevin Stott
This Listed highlight is fascinating in that it’s worthy of Group race standard, while any of the seven acceptors can win. Trueshan is a class act in the Cup division, but last season’s Northumberland Plate and Long Distance Cup winner could find MOJO STAR too hot to handle in receipt of 7lbs. The latter showed how good he is when runner-up to Kyprios on his only 2022 start in the Gold Cup. Runner-up in the St Leger the previous year, he has stacks of room for progression and this will help tell us how good he is.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Race 5 No5 BEAUTY CHOICE
Trainer: Mick Easterby – Jockey: Joanna Mason
On a first run for this stable BEAUTY CHOICE commands plenty of interest. He won once and was placed in six of his other starts last term, and from a good draw can make this a first win on grass since the summer of 2020.
Race 6 No1 SCOTTISH WIND (Nap)
Trainer: Lucinda Russell – Jockey: Oisin Orr
SCOTTISH WIND earned on all three starts on the Flat before running well over hurdles in the first part of the winter. In this compressed handicap he should acquit himself well for a stable that’s been amongst the winner under both racing codes.
KEMPTON PARK
Race 1 No7 TOKYO DRIFT (Nap)
Trainer: David Loughnane – Jockey: Ray Dawson
Hailing from a fast family and related to a filly that scored on her debut, the Amo Racing-owned TOKYO DRIFT is worth a close market check. The daughter of Showcasing has a cracking draw from which to operate on this introduction for a trainer that always has his juveniles ready to run.
Race 3 No3 ORZO
Trainer: Andrew Balding – Jockey: Oisin Murphy
ORZO returns from an enforced absence on a first start since her debut triumph in the autumn of 2021. She faces strong opposition from Yaanaas who impressed on his own first outing last month. Much depends on her fitness level, but given her trainer’s sparkling form as well as the 5lb sex allowance she can utilise, she is afforded a marginal vote.
