Neil Morrice shares all of his best bets and tips for Saturday’s racing coming your way from Sandown Park, Ayr, Wolverhampton and Chelmsford City on 11 March 2023.
SANDOWN PARK
Race 2 No3 CREBILLY (Each Way)
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill – Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
CREBILLY can give owner JP McManus a belated 70th birthday present by taking out this ultra competitive novices’ handicap hurdle. The strong travelling gelding has gone 122 in as many starts over hurdles and last time at Chepstow ran into the smart Doyen Star after being backed as if defeat was out of the question. Bearing that in mind, a market check is the order of the day in his clash with Cuthbert Dibble, who should also be factored into the equation.
Race 3 Betfair Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle
No4 PLAYFUL SAINT (Each Way)
Trainer: Dan Skelton – Jockey: Harry Skelton
PLAYFUL SAINT absolutely hacked up when last seen at Leicester since when the Skeltons have hidden his light under a bushel to protect his handicap mark. My guess is that they had this one race in mind, and granted conditions that should bring out the best in this lightly-raced individual he should take away a sizeable cheque for a team that are mustard in the big handicap hurdles. GIVEGA is a novice who if jumping well in this big field could trouble the judge while ICEO has scope for progression for Paul Nicholls. ZOFFANY BAY ran well on his debut under Rules after three hurdling successes in France and appears dangerously well handicapped if he doesn’t bounce.
Prediction: 1st PLAYFUL SAINT, 2nd Zoffany Bay, 3rd Iceo, 4th Givega
Race 6 No8 YOUNG BULL (Nap)
Trainer: Harry Whittington- Jockey: Daryl Jacob
The consistent YOUNG BULL has by circumstance only had one outing this season, but this is a horse who can quickly make up for lost time and should put in a bold display in testing conditions that will play to his strengths. The nine-year-old might have been a shade rusty when finishing third to Easy As That at Haydock in December but he’s done plenty of work leading into this and can improve by an abnormal amount to take the spoils at the main expense of Mucho Mas and Flowing Cadenza.
AYR
Race 1 No5 NINETO FIVE (Each Way)
Trainer: Sandy Thomson – Jockey: Jamie Hamilton
NINETOFIVE has shown promise in each of his five starts and looks the type to improve for a move into the handicap arena. Though beaten a fair way in each of his outings over hurdles, he can take away a cheque in this wide open affair.
Race 3 No5 MASSINI MAN (Nap)
Trainer: Sandy Thomson – Jockey: Jamie Hamilton
Though his form for this stable has been exclusive to Musselburgh, MASSINI MAN can make it a winning first visit to Ayr to make it three wins and a second in as many starts this season. The ten-year-old is running out of his skin, and after a freshening break since his latest triumph can show he’s just as good going left-handed.
Race 5 No4 NICEANDEASY (Each Way)
Trainer: Nick Alexander – Jockey: Conor O’Farrell
Jumping problems have dogged NICEANDEASY who might have gone close two starts back at Kelso but had to pull stumps early at Haydock. He then missed out on what was intended to be a confidence builder back over hurdles. He’s therefore a risky proposition, but is not harshly treated and can win if everything goes well for him.
WOLVERHAMPTON
Race 2 No10 INGRA TOR (Nap)
Trainer: Jack Channon – Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
INGRA TOR was still weak and failed to reach the high hopes held for him last year. Since being gelded he’s strengthened up and been working well ahead of this early seasonal reappearance in which he has a plum draw three off the fence. Given the rub of the green he should have a big say and make it a second win on only a third start on the all-weather.
Race 3 No7 UNFORGOTTEN
Trainer: John Gosden – Jockey: James Doyle
UNFORGOTTEN has wasted no time in showcasing his talent following an enforced absence after a first career win at Newcastle. The grey has landed some good bets on back-to-back visits to Lingfield, and should that progression continue he’s going to be hard to stop in this Lincoln Trial in which Notre Belle Bete and Outbreak are must included for exotic wagering.
Race 4 No8 VADREAM (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: David Egan
Berkshire Shadow brings the best recent Group race form to the table in this Listed race and looks nailed on to get into the shake-up. The one question mark against him is it’s not that far short of two years since he last won. I will back him for a saver but my main bet will be VADREAM as she looked happier over seven furlongs when second to Aramis Grey at Lingfield. Her losing run also goes back a long way, but she’s probably got more to offer on sand, and can use her useful turn of foot to swoop late.
Race 7 No1 CALLING THE WIND
Trainer: Richard Hughes – Jockey: Finley Marsh
CALLING THE WIND was a bit of a nearly horse through 2022 when placing in consecutive Class2 handicaps and Listed races. His form tailed off in a couple of starts in the autumn but with good reports about him from Lambourn he can establish himself as a flagship horse for his trainer, and stave off the challenges of Roberto Escobarr and Fleurman.
CHELMSFORD CITY
Race 2 No4 SUPER MO (Nap)
Trainer: David Simcock – Jockey: Callum Shepherd
Flash Bardot has good form to her name but seemed to take a backward step last time. She’s drawn on the outer next to SUPER MO who with the aid of first time blinkers can open his account. He wasn’t beaten far by Dayzee at this course and possibly has the greater scope for progression.
Race 3 No10 POWER OF DARKNESS (Each Way)
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes – Jockey: Mikkel Mortensen
POWER OF DARKNESS was beaten five lengths when making a first appearance for his owner/trainer at Lingfield last month. He seemed to lose his way last summer, but remains a talented individual if a change of scenery helps him rediscover that good form, as it might well do.
