Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Monday’s racing coming your way from Plumpton, Ayr, Lingfield and Newcastle on 2 January 2023.
PLUMPTON
Race 2 No5 MASTER CHEWY (Nap)
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies – Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Hansard looked very useful when outspeeding his foes at Huntingdon and now tries to follow up on an equally easy track. The Irish import hails from a yard doing extremely well with its novices but might find MASTER CHEWY too hot to handle. The latter would have powered home but for knuckling on landing at Ascot’s final flight last time, and is effectively a winner without a penalty, though he needs to show he’s as effective on this far different track.
Race 5 No4 TIP TOP MOUNTAIN
Trainer: Robert Walford – Jockey: Bryan Carver
TIP TOP MOUNTAIN is 10lb higher than for his narrow margin victory in this race 12 months ago. He does however appear to have improved, as shown on his taking success when returning at Fontwell in November. He will love the testing conditions and looks a worthy favourite that should follow-up.
Race 6 Bet Goodwin Sussex National Handicap Chase
No7 PEMBERLEY (Each Way)
Trainer: Emma Lavelle – Jockey: Thomas Bellamy
Plumpton’s marquee race of the winter can fall to PEMBERLEY, who deserves to pick up a decent staying chase, and ran a cracker in defeat when second to Go Whatever in the corresponding race in 2022. The selection showed his well-being when chasing home Tallow For Coal on his seasonal return at Lingfield and can stave off the challenges of course specialist I See You Well and Favori De Sivola.
Race 7 No2 PILSDON PEN
Trainer: Jeremy Scott – Jockey: Rex Dingle
PILSDON PEN looked value for the margin of his Exeter victory in November and is getting better race by race. With figures of 1212-1 he is right in the zone, and can cope with a 4lb rise that could easily have been more.
AYR
Race 4 No5 DONNA’S DOUBLE
Trainer: Sandy Thomson – Jockey: Ryan Mania
DONNA’S DOUBLE hasn’t done much racing in the last couple of seasons, which gives him the opportunity to make up for lost time now that he’s had a respiratory operation. This is just a second ever run over fences for the gelding, who can prove the answer to a tightly-knit contest.
Race 6 No4 HALONDO (Nap)
Trainer: Olly Murphy – Jockey: Sean Bowen
Long-distance traveller HALONDO had no chance against the smart Givega at Lingfield, but ran well for a long way before getting tired in the hock deep ground. He had a good blow afterwards and will be fitter for this less competitive race.
LINGFIELD PARK
Race 2 No4 BRAVURA (Each Way)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott – Jockey: Luke Morris
BRAVURA stayed on nicely at the end of his first race at Lingfield and now takes a step up the distance ladder. The gelding was a 66-1 roughie on that occasion, but should have a good earning chance of building on it from a very good draw here.
Race 3 No7 AMERICAN ROSE (Nap)
Trainer: H Evans – Jockey: Mollie Phillips
AMERICAN ROSE has to be of interest getting plenty of weight from her opponents in this fillies’ handicap. She made a pronounced step up in form when opening her account at Wolverhampton, and with few miles on her racing clock has scope for further progression under a capable 3lb apprentice.
NEWCASTLE
Race 1 No4 SKYE BREEZE
Trainer: Ed Bethell – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Prolific scorer Victory March will attract a welter of the wagering on the opener but may have to play second fiddle to SKYE BREEZE. Doyle is an eye-taking booking for the chestnut, who upped his game when switched to the all-weather last time.
Race 3 No6 ABBEY’S DREAM (Nap)
Trainer: Archie Watson – Jockey: Hollie Doyle
This is an opportunity ABBEY’S DREAM can’t afford to squander. The Lambourn raider hasn’t been beaten far on each of her last three career starts, and if bringing her latest form level to the table will be very hard to beat.
Race 7 No2 SEABREEZES (Each Way)
Trainer: Tim Easterby – Jockey: Tom Eaves
SEABREEZES disappointed on her second crack at a handicap last week but that was her first run at this course, she was badly drawn and easy to back. Her previous run when just out of the money at Southwell puts her in with a squeak, and she will go off at a working man’s price.
