Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Tuesday’s racing coming your way from Sandown Park, Newcastle, Lingfield Park and Southwell on 7 March 2023.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 4 No8 ALMAZHAR GARDE (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon – Jockey: Sgt Nathan Rahman
Broken Halo sets the standard for the others to aim at in this Grand Military Gold Cup, but one that could provide better value is ALMAZHAR GARDE. The chestnut usually leads off a strong pace as was the case when he raced here over a much longer trip before Christmas. But his best run came when he was held up and looked poised to get into the argument only to fall at Plumpton. These de,adding fences play to his strengths, and whichever way he’s ridden he will hopefully have a say.
Race 5 No11 BLUE STELLO
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
BLUE STELLO made a pleasing reappearance to claim a minor cheque at Uttoxeter and will be all the better for that. Representing top connections, he receives weight from all but one of his foes and should again stage an earning run against Finest View and Bourbali who should also get involved.
Race 6 No3 HANDS OFF (Nap)
Trainer: Nicky Henderson – Jockey: Nico de Boinville
HANDS OFF has skipped a couple of engagements in search of better ground and should have conditions to his liking this time. He didn’t fare badly against Moon Hunter at Doncaster and is now on a retrieval mission after running out on his latest start at the same track.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No9 VANDEMERE (Nap)
Trainer: John Quinn – Jockey: Billy Garritty
The one I like most on this card is VANDEMERE, who returned from a lengthy absence to find only one to beat him on hurdles debut on Boxing Day. He had good form in the Irish point field and should progress sufficiently to dispatch the frustrating George Saint.
Race 5 No7 NINETOFIVE (Each Way)
Trainer: Sandy Thomson – Jockey: Ryan Mania
NINETOFIVE is a different entity to his opponents in that he’s only raced four times ahead of this first run in a handicap. He ran well in each of those, while his chances might well be boosted by a recent breathing operation. Adding to his appeal is that his trainer has been amongst the winners this month.
Race 6 No3 ZWICKY
Trainer: Phil Kirby – Jockey: T Dowson
ZWICKY didn’t jump as well as you might expect when opening his account at Sedgefield but nevertheless needs to be taken seriously in this novices’ handicap hurdle the Sixties Icn gelding upped his game and might well find extra on this first visit to Gosforth Park.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 2 No5 PUNTARELLE
Trainer: Jonny Portman – Jockey: Luke Morris
As the only filly 8n this 3yo only handicap PUNTARELLE gets weight from paper favourite Dutch Kingdom that can tip the scales in her favour. The daughter of Footstepsinthesand went down in a blanket finish on her first run on sand and should have learned plenty from it.
Race 6 No4 NAVY DRUMS (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Jones – Jockey: Dylan Hogan
Everything in this race is out of form except NAVY DRUMS, who when scoring over course and distance last month looked to have turned a corner. Both his starts here have seen a big step up on what he showed previously, and from a plum draw he has to go close.
SOUTHWELL
Race 4 No6 JUSTCALLMEPETE
Trainer: James Evans – Jockey: Dougie Costello
JUSTCALLMEPETE can make it a fourth victory from his last six visits to this course. He’s raced exclusively here since the turn of the year and with a slight pull, in the weights should turn the tables on Zip, to whom he conceded by just half a length last time. The selection has a perfect draw next to his foe.
Race 6 No1 SOUTHWOLD
Trainer: Daniel Kubler – Jockey: Richard Kingscote
When gaining a second career success on handicap debut, SOUTHWOLD displayed a liking for this course. Of a 3lb higher mark the Gleneagles gelding can confirm his superiority over Covert Mission.
Race 7 No10 KINGSTON JOY (Nap)
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Jamie Spencer
KINGSTON JOY was racing for only the fourth time when taking out a handicap at Lingfield last month. She’s been handed a 4lb hike for her troubles but as the least exposed member of the party has scope for further improvement and can defy the rise.
